Structure and function of the frontal pit of Lipoptena spp. (Diptera: Hippoboscidae)

Scanning electron microscopy and histological techniques were used to study the structure and possible function of the frontal pit present in the frons of Lipoptena annalizeae. In the adult fly the opening leads into a closed sclerotized tube (torma) within a sclerite (fulcrum), to which the cibarial pump muscles are attached enabling the retraction of the proboscis. A method for softening the heads of Lipoptena for histological studies is also described. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Morphological variation between populations of the expanding ectoparasitic deer ked Lipoptena cervi (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) in Fennoscandia

We examined morphological and genetic differences among Fennoscandian deer ked (Lipoptena cervi L, Hippoboscidae) populations with varying expansion history: the eastern population (Finland) has expanded rapidly, whereas the western population is divided into an old and relatively stationary sub‐population in Sweden and a newly established and more expansive sub‐population in Norway. The genetic analysis suggests that the distinct populations represent a single species. Individuals from expansive populations were characterized by a large body size, relatively large and robust thorax shape, and wing shape with an exaggerated basal posterior margin. Yet, there was no among population variation in relative wing size or its elongated shape after variation in overall size was controlled for. Although certain size and shape variables showed thermal sensitivity, the degree of plasticity did not differ between the populations. In general, we observed that shape is more sensitive to external thermal conditions at the pupal stage than size per se, with the thermal sensitivity of the latter depending on the trait under examination. We conclude that the possible adaptive value of morphological differences relies on variation in survival during the off‐host life stages or short‐distance flight to reach a susceptible host instead of long‐distance dispersal ability.     

Bartonella spp. in deer keds, Lipoptena mazamae (Diptera: Hippoboscidae), from Georgia and South Carolina, USA

Deer keds, Lipoptena mazamae (Diptera: Hippoboscidae), were collected from white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and humans in Georgia and South Carolina, USA (1 October 2001-6 January 2005) and screened for the presence of DNA from Bartonella spp. Forty deer keds were screened for Bartonella spp. by polymerase chain reaction using primers specific to the riboflavin synthase gene (ribC) of Bartonella. Bartonella species closely related to Bartonella schoenbuchensis and to the etiologic agent of cat-scratch disease (Bartonella henselae) were detected in 10 keds and one ked, respectively.     

First record of Trichoceridae (Diptera) in the maritime Antarctic

During the austral summer of 2006–07, abundant Diptera were found in the sewage system of the Base Científica Antártica Artigas on King George Island. These are here identified as Trichocera (Saltrichocera) maculipennis (Diptera: Trichoceridae), a Holarctic species widely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere which has been introduced to some sub-Antarctic islands, but never been recorded in the maritime Antarctic. The distribution of the fly on King George Island indicates that it has been introduced by human agency. Although its origin is unclear, adult specimens have distinctive morphological features rarely represented in autochthonous populations in Europe. To date, larvae have been found only in the Artigas Base sewage system, but adults have been observed around the buildings and more widely in the vicinity. Given the species’ natural northern range, habitats and feeding preferences, it is likely to have good preadaptation permitting survival in the natural terrestrial ecosystems of the maritime Antarctic. We recommend that urgent eradication efforts are made.     

The ovipositor musculature of Bactrocera depressa Shiraki (Diptera, Tephritidae)

Structure of the ovipositor sclerites and musculature was studied in the tephritid fly Bactrocera depressa Shiraki, whose larvae develop in the fruits of Cucurbita moschata and other Cucurbitaceae. The functioning and adaptations of the ovipositor of this species to laying eggs into soft fruits are discussed with respect to their differences from the ovipositor characteristics in species with different host specializations, e.g., Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Hanna, 1938), Lenitovena trigona Matsumura (Ovtshinnikova, 2008), Urophora affinis Frauenfeld and U. quadrifasciata (Meigen) (Berube and Zacharuk, 1983) and Campiglossa plantaginis (Haliday, 1833) (Ovtshinnikova, 2010). The ovipositor musculature of Bactrocera depressa is very similar to that of Ceratitis capitata, a species which lays eggs in soft tissues of various fruits. The sclerites and musculature of the ovipositor, especially the basal part of syntergosternite VII, in the fruit infesting Bactrocera (also in Ceratitis) is intermediate between that in Lenitovena laying eggs in the (soft) decaying wood, and Urophora and Campiglossa that deposit eggs in the hard flowerheads of asteraceans. Species of the latter genera have still more complicated structure of the basal part of syntergosternite VII enabling a more intense protruding of the ovipositor and its more closely controlled operating during oviposition in the harder plant tissues. The discussed morpho-functional rearrangements proceed within species of a single lineage of the modern classification (Korneyev, 1999) from the basal Lenitovena to the terminal Urophora and Campiglossa, Bactrocera occupying an intermediate position in this row. In this way, the technology changes (from a muscul lever to a pump) resulting in an increase of the ovipositor mobility during piercing of the substrate.     

On the ecology of Crataerina hirundinis (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) in Scotland

During the summer of 1969, in eastern Scotland, a study was carried out on Crataerina hirundinis (L.), a flightless ectopasasite of the House martin. The environment of the hosts's nest was described. The fly was found to move actively between the nests of its host. The populations in the main study colonies (in farm cart-sheds) were higher than in colonies on the eaves of buildings or on a cliff. Juvenile House martins were more heavily infested than the adults. Female flies predominated in the nest populations and were also found to be proportionately more common on the birds than in the nests. Feeding studies showed that female flies imbibed 4.8 mg of blood per day whereas males took 3.5 mg. Although C. hirundinis is specific to the House martin, it can also breed successfully on the Sand martin and Swallow. Ecological factors are believed to prevent these birds from being regular hosts. House sparrows cannot act as hosts.     

Louse Flies (Diptera,Hippoboscidae) in Bird Nests in Voronezh Province

Entomological Review - Eight species of louse flies were recorded on 22 bird species as the result of research carried out in 2008–2018 in Voronezh Province of Russia. Five species are...     

First record of simuliidae (Diptera) with pollinaria of asclepiadoideae (Apocynaceae) attached

The presence of pollinaria of two species of Asclepiadoideae (Apocynaceae), possibly Tassadia cf. martiana Decne. and T. cf. obovata Decne., attached to the mouth parts of simulid black flies [Cerqueirellum amazonicum (Goeldi), C. argentiscutum (Shelley & Luna Dias), C. oyapockense (Floch & Abonnenc), and Cerqueirellum sp.] are reported for the first time. The frequency and distribution of simulids recorded with pollinaria suggest that removal of pollinaria by these flies is not casual. Simulids probably use nectar in flowers of Asclepiadoideae as source of sugar, being able to remove their pollinaria. This finding demonstrates that simulids are not only vector of pathogenic parasites, but also carry pollinaria, and thus may represent a group of pollinators for species of Asclepiadoideae with small flowers.     

First record of the subgenus Tipula (Ramatipula) (Diptera,Tipulidae) from China,with description of two new species

The subgenus Ramatipula Alexander, 1971 of the genus Tipula is recorded for the first time in China. Two new species, Tipula (Ramatipula) dolabcorolla, sp. nov., and Tipula (Ramatipula) spathulata, sp. nov. are described and illustrated. A key to the species of Tipula (Ramatipula) from the world is presented.urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:405A10AD-9C5E-4D81-A04B-403D96A286EC.     

First record of the bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia for phytophagous hoverflies from genus Merodon (Diptera: Syrphidae)

Wolbachia is a widespread bacterial endosymbiont among arthropod species. It influences the reproduction of the host species and also mitochondrial DNA diversity. Until now there were only a few studies that detected Wolbachia infections in hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae), and this is the first broader study with the aim of examining the incidence of Wolbachia in the hoverfly genus Merodon. The obtained results indicate an infection rate of 96% and the presence of both Wolbachia supergroup A and B, which are characteristic for most of the infected arthropod species. Additionally, the presence of multiple Wolbachia strains in the Merodon aureus group species was detected and the mitochondrial DNA COI‐based relationships of the group are discussed in the light of infection. Finally, we discuss plant‐mediated horizontal transmission of Wolbachia strains among the studied hoverfly species.     

First record and description of a new species of Sycorax Curtis (Diptera: Psychodidae, Sycoracinae) from the Brazilian Amazon

Sycorax longispinosa sp. nov. is described from Serra do Cachorro, Pará State, Brazil. This new species is the first record of the genus from the Brazilian Amazon. An identification key for males of species of Sycorax from the neotropical region is presented.     

New species of the Ornithomya biloba-group and records of other Hippoboscidae (Diptera) from Africa

Two new species of the Ornithomya biloba-group are described, one from Kenya and the second from Madagascar, and a revised key to the African species of this group is given. Records of other African Hippoboscidae from birds are included.     

First record of Megaraptora (Theropoda,Neovenatoridae) from Brazil

An isolated caudal vertebral centrum of a theropod dinosaur was discovered in the Bauru Basin (Late Cretaceous) of Brazil, in the Maastrichtian São José do Rio Preto Formation. The vertebral centrum has pneumatic features that are similar to those in the megaraptoran theropods Aerosteon, Megaraptor, and Orkoraptor. For example, all these taxa share with the caudal centrum here described the presence of true pleurocoels or pneumatic foramina, immersed within a depression or fossa. Thus, the specimen is considered the first record of Megaraptora in Brazil. The present analysis provides new information on the vertebral caudal anatomy of this clade of bizarre Cretaceous theropods.     

First record of Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) attacking Toxotrypana curvicauda Gerstaecker (Diptera: Tephritidae)

A new host record is reported for the braconid wasp Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), parasitizing papaya fruit fly larvae Toxotrypana curvicauda Gerstaecker (Diptera: Tephritidae) in México.