Flies in the family Milichiidae are often myrmecophilic. We document the first record of a fly from this family interacting with an ant of the genus Polyrhachis. In lowland riparian rainforest in Sabah, Malaysia, we observed a female of the genus Milichia following an ant of the species of P.illaudata, and repeatedly attempting to make close contact. Our observation suggests that the dipteran may have been attempting to feed kleptoparasitically from the Polyrhachis worker, since members of this ant genus often feed on liquid carbohydrate-rich food resources. This is the first time an interaction has been observed between a fly of this family and an ant of this widespread old world tropical genus.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4238064 | PMC |
http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.2.e4168 | DOI Listing |
Animals (Basel)
January 2025
Department of Bacteriology and Parasitology, Croatian Veterinary Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
The infestation of ruminants by fly larvae of the Oestridae family can lead to nasopharyngeal or subcutaneous myiasis, which can harm animal welfare and productivity on sheep and cattle farms. The infestation of wild ruminants allows them to serve as reservoirs for subsequent transfer to domestic animals. The fly species most commonly responsible for myiasis have been well studied in many parts of the world, but less so in southeastern Europe.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBiology (Basel)
January 2025
Division of Thoracic Surgery, Cantonal Hospital Lucerne, 6000 Lucerne, Switzerland.
In 2001, two enzyme-encoding genes were recognized in the fruit fly . The genetic material, labeled and , encodes ribonuclease-type enzymes with slightly diverse target substrates. The human orthologue is .
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMC Genomics
January 2025
Department of Zoology, University of Calcutta, 35, Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata, Pin- 700019, West Bengal, India.
Background: The Tephritidae family, commonly referred to as true fruit flies, comprises of a substantial group within order Diptera. Numerous species within this family are major agricultural pests, with a tendency to infest a wide array of fruits and vegetables in tropical and sub- tropical regions, leading to considerable damage and consequent reductions in the market value of the crops.
Methods And Results: The current study was aimed to propose a promising solution to the menace posed by fruit flies by offering rapid, accurate and reliable species identification by using character-based DNA barcode methodology.
Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports
January 2025
Central Veterinary Research Laboratory, PO Box 597, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Samples from 1,254 MacQueen's bustards (Chlamydotis macqueenii) were sent for parasitological examination to the department of parasitology of the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory between 2003 and 2022. The birds originated from sanctuaries where confiscated birds were kept but also from from zoos and private collections or were bred in captivity and released to conservation areas where they got injured or died for various reasons. The material consisted of mainly of intestines and faecal samples as well as heads, stomachs, muscles samples and cysts, isolated helminths, ecto-parasites and fly larvae.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPLoS One
January 2025
Department of Biology, Royal Museum for Central Africa (RMCA), Tervuren, Belgium.
Insect diversity is closely linked to the evolution of phytophagy, with most phytophagous insects showing a strong degree of specialisation for specific host plants. Recent studies suggest that the insect gut microbiome might be crucial in facilitating the dietary (host plant) range. This requires the formation of stable insect-microbiome associations, but it remains largely unclear which processes govern the assembly of insect microbiomes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!