Megaselia steptoeae (Diptera: Phoridae): specialists on smashed snails.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Phorid flies are amongst the most biologically diverse and species-rich groups of insects. Ways of life range from parasitism, herbivory, fungivory, to scavenging. Although the lifestyles of most species are unknown, many are parasitoids, especially of social insects. Some species of ant-parasitoids are attracted to injured hosts for feeding purposes to develop eggs, as well as for oviposition, requiring each female to find two injured hosts.

New information

Females of the phorid fly Megaselia steptoeae Hartop et al. (Diptera: Phoridae) were found to be quickly attracted to crushed glass snails of the species Oxychilus draparnaudi (Beck) (Gastropoda: Oxychilidae). Most females were without mature eggs and apparently were attracted for feeding purpose

SUBMITTER: Brown BV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7125241 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature