The taxonomy of the Pollenia rudis species-group in the Holarctic Region (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

Abstract. A rudis species-group is defined within Pollenia Robineau-Desvoidy, and new characters found useful in the taxonomy of this genus are presented. P.rudis (Fabricius), P.angustigena Wainwright, stat.rev. and P.pseudorudis Rognes are redescribed. P.hungarica sp.n., P.longitheca sp.n. and P.luteovillosa sp.n. are described as new to science. A key is provided, and the terminalia of both sexes are illustrated for all the species. Some features of the puparia are figured for the species where these are known. A neotype is designated for Musca rudis , and a lectotype for P.angustigena. P.angustigena, P.pseudorudis and P.rudis are Holarctic species, and the latter two have also been found in New Zealand. The remaining species are confined to the western Palaearctic. P.hungarica is known from central Europe, including southern parts of Scandinavia, P.longitheca from the eastern Mediterranean, and P.luteovillosa from Algeria and Morocco in North Africa. In the larval stages P. rudis group members are parasites of or predators on earthworms. The species have several generations each year, and normally overwinter as adults. Eisenia rosea (Savigny) serves as a host for P.hungarica, P.pseudorudis and P.rudis according to the reared material available. A previous detailed account of the immature stages and life-cycle of lsquo;rudis' from North America is tentatively assigned to pseudorudis. Keilin's (1909,1915) often cited accounts of the immature stages and life-cycle of a species called 'rudis' are rejected as a source of information for any member of the rudis group.     

The taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships of the Pollenia semicinerea species-group (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

Abstract. Within Pollenia Robineau-Desvoidy, a semicinerea species-group is defined. It consists of the redescribed P.semicinerea Villeneuve, P.grunini sp.n., P.mystica sp.n. and P.paragrunini sp.n., and P.pectinata Grunin, for which some new characters are given. A key is provided and the known terminalia of both sexes are illustrated. A lectotype is designated for P.semicinerea Villeneuve. P.semicinerea is known from the Middle East (Israel, Syria, Lebanon), P.grunini, P.mystica and P.paragrunini from the Caucasus and neighbouring areas in the U.S.S.R. and P.pectinata from the temperate parts of the Palaearctic Region except west of Poland and U.S.S.R. It is argued that the semicinerea- and racfe-groups are monophyletic sister-groups. The tenuiforceps-group is most probably the monophyletic sister-group of the composite monophyletic group ( rudis-group+semicinerea-group ). The intermedia-group and the griseo-tomentosa-group are both monophyletic. The composite group ( rudis- group + semicinerea-group + tenuiforceps-group + intermedia-group + griseotomentosa-group ) is probably a monophyletic subgroup of Pollenia. A partly resolved synapomorphy diagram is provided, which is compared to trees generated by various computer programs in the Phylogeny Inference Package (PHYLIP) of Felsenstein. Pollenia alajensis Rodendorf (= sytshevskajae Grunin) is assigned to the tenuiforceps species-group on the basis of male and female genitalia.     

窄颊粉蝇Pollenia angustigena Wainwright——广州口岸截获的一种丽蝇

本文报道从经广州新风口岸入境加拿大木材中截获的一种丽蝇:窄颊粉蝇Pollenia angustigerta Wainwright.     

Revision of the key characters for the Thricops nigrifrons species-group (Diptera, Muscidae)

An analysis of key characters for the separation of Thricops nigrifrons and Thricops longipes (Diptera, Muscidae) is given. A revised key for Thricops nigrifrons and related species, including two species recently described from the Caucasus, is proposed.     

A new species in the intermedia-group and a new synonymy in the genus Pollenia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

Abstract. An intermedia species-group is defined within Pollenia Robineau-Desvoidy. P.pseudintermedia sp.n. is described from Greece, Yugoslavia and Spain and compared with its closest relative P. intermedia Macquart. P.alajensis Rodendorf, stat.rev. is established as a new senior synonym of P.sytshevskajae Grunin, syn.n.     

Current status of the Drosophila melanogaster species-group (Diptera)

Abstract. The Drosphila melanogaster species-group, established by Sturtevant (1942) for fourteen species, is now known to contain 115 described species here divided into twelve named subgroups (including one newly proposed), as well as further undescribed species. Three of the species, melanogaster, simulans and ananassae , are cosmopolitan; two others, kikkawai and malerkotliana , are widespread in the southern hemisphere, the latter apparently a recent introduction to South America. The greatest numbers of species otherwise occur in the Oriental region with smaller numbers in the Ethiopian, eastern Palaearctic and Australian regions and in several islands of the South Pacific. D.rajasekari and D.raychaudhurii are synonymized with D.biamipes;also D.andamanensis Parshad & Singh is synonymized with D.andamanensis Gupta & Raychaudhuri.     

青藏高原丽蝇科昆虫物种多样性初探

本文从种数、特有物种和区系构成等角度分析了青藏高原丽蝇科昆虫的物种多样性。青藏高原已知丽蝇5亚科35属120种,占中国已知种数的44.28%,其中特有种55种,占该地区总种数的45.83%;区系构成以特有种、古北界 东洋界共同种及典型的东洋界种和古北界种为主,但澳洲界、新北界、非洲界和新热带界共同种也占一定比例。文中讨论了该地区特有种丰富的原因及地质历史环境对其的影响,分析了区系构成中各种区系成分的比例及形成原因。     

Macrolarviparous reproduction in Ameniinae (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

Female flies of the subfamily Ameniinae were found by dissection to be macrolarviparous. The two ovaries each comprise two ovarioles, and a single egg passes at a time intoa large, muscular uterus, where it hatches and develops through the soft and rather featureless first larval instar. The larva moults in utero to a strongly spined, active second instar, with long, curved mandibular hooks and this stage is presumed to parasitize snails. Details are given of the larval morphology of Amenia and Paramenia spp., and the indications that these give about taxonomic affinities. The posterior spiracles are sunk in a deep pit, as is found amongst Sarcophagidae. It is concluded that on the basis of adult and larval characters the Ameniinae is a somewhat specialized group of flies, most closely related to Calliphoridae and with some affinity to Sarcophagidae.     

Revision of the Alamirinae (Diptera: Phoridae)

Abstract. The genus Couturiera Disney, 1979, only known in the female sex, is synonymized with Perissa Borgmeier, 1967, only known in the male sex, a syn.n., thus solving the problem of the 'missing' males of the Alamirinae. Perissa kensmithi (Disney) comb.n., P.lewisi (Disney) comb.n. and P.orientalis (Disney & Peterson) comb.n. are transferred from Couturiera. Perissa couturieri Disney is synonymized under P. lewisi (Disney) and C.palawanensis Disney under P.georgei Disney. Perissa latiptera sp.n., P.oligoseta sp.n., P.tinglei sp.n. and Perittophora couturieri gen.n., sp.n., are described from Zimbabwe. A key to the twelve species of Alamirinae is provided. It is hypothesized that the Alamirinae may be paraphyletic, by virtue of exclusion of the Termitoxeniinae. The latter is probably polyphyletic, in that each Alamirinae genus is probably the sister group of a different Termi-toxeniin clade.     

Genetics of the hemolymph esterases ofLucilia cuprina (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

When hemolymph from adults ofLucilia cuprina was partitioned on native polyacrylamide gels, nonspecific esterase staining demonstrated 10 bands with up to six bands in an individual. The bands derive from alleles at two loci,E _HA (five alleles) andE _HB (four alleles).E _HA is located on chromosome 4, 16.3 map units fromsv (singed vibrissae) and 22.1 map units fromra (radial vein gaps).E _HB is located on chromosome 5, 34.0 map units fromto ² (topaz² eyes) and 7.2 map units frommv (M1-veinless).     

A detector dog for screwworms (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

A male German wirehaired pointer, Canis familiaris L., was trained to search for and locate screwworm, Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel); pupae; and animals infested with screwworms. The command, "find it" led to the detection of a screwworm-infested animal and the command "search" led to the detection of screwworm pupae. After approximately 5 mo of training, the dog could detect screwworm-infested animals. After 3 mo more of training, the dog could detect screwworm pupae. Through 7 August 1989, the dog had a success rate of 100% (265 tests) with training dummies and 94.7% (18 successes for 19 tests) with screwworm-infested animals, for an overall success rate of 99.7% (285 successes for 286 tests). Use of detector dogs at quarantine stations could result in increased efficiency, economic savings, and decreased possibility of reintroduction of screwworms into eradicated areas.     

Quantifying the potential pathogens transmission of the blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

To quantify the potential capability of transporting and passing infective pathogens of some blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae), Mihályi's danger-index was calculated for seven species. The original equation was modified to include synanthropic information to discriminate between asynanthropic, hemisynanthropic, and eusynanthropic status. Three groups were recognized, of which Phaenicia cluvia and Musca domestica proved the flies with lowest index value (D = 2.93 and 3.00 respectively); Cochliomyia macellaria, Chrysomya albiceps and Sarconesia chlorogaster presented a significantly higher index value (p<0.10; D = 4.28, 4.44 and 5.66 respectively) and C. megacephala, C. vicina and P. sericata appear to represent the heaviest potential sanitary risk with the highest index value (p<0.10; D = 15.54, 16.88 and 12.49 respectively).     

Gelled diet for screwworm (Diptera: Calliphoridae) mass production

A rearing system based on a diet gelled with Water-Lock G-400, a synthetic superabsorbent (poly(2-propenamide-co-2-propenoic acid, sodium salt)) (WL), was compared with the standard rearing system (liquid diet suspended in acetate fibers) for the mass production of screwworms, Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel). The WL rearing system yielded 2% heavier pupae, 32% higher egg to pupa survival, and required 54% less diet and 88% less labor than the standard rearing system. Other advantages of the WL system include reduced susceptibility to suboptimal environmental conditions and labor practices and characteristics conducive to centralization and mechanization of rearing procedures.     

Species included in the Chrysopilus amurensis species-group (Diptera, Rhagionidae)

Based on examination of the type series of Chrysopilus amurensis Soboleva and an additional material from Amur Province and the south of the Russian Far East, eight new species are described. Specimens from the southern part of the Russian Far East previously misidentified as Ch. ugensis Nagatomi have proved to belong to a new species. A key to males of the above-mentioned species-group is given. Genitalia of all the species examined are figured.     

Seasonal population dynamics in Lucilia eximia (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

In this study the seasonal variation of fecundity, wing and tibia sizes were investigated in natural populations of Lucilia eximia (Wiedemann) as an attempt to determine the variations in life history of the species associated to seasonality. Specimens of L. eximia were monthly collected in Botucatu, S?o Paulo, Brazil, during two years and the adult females dissected to estimate fecundity. Body size was estimated by measuring wing and tibia. Fecundity and body size were seasonally analysed. A relatively constant temporal trajectory was found for fecundity, wing and tibia size over twenty-four months. Strong positive correlations between wing and tibia size, fecundity and wing and fecundity and tibia were observed. The maintenance of stable values in L. eximia indicates that it has suffered little seasonal influence over the period analysed. This result confirms the demographics and life history stable profile of the species in spite of seasonal climatic changes observed in the study area.     

Revision of the termite-parasitizing genus Dicranopteron (Diptera: Phoridae)

Dicranopteron Schmitz is removed from the Metopininae and three new species are described. All species are represented by females only and come from Odontolermes and Macrotermes nests in the Orient. A key:to species) is provided. One species was observed ovipositing in the abdomens of the young stages of O. takensis.     

A cellulose fiber-based diet for screwworm (Diptera: Calliphoridae) larvae

A highly absorbent cellulose fiber from recycled paper was tested and compared with a polyacrylate gelling agent, Aquatain, normally used for bulking and solidifying larval rearing medium of screwworm, Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel) (Diptera: Calliphoridae). The absorbent fiber, when mixed with water and dietary ingredients, produced a diet medium of homogeneous texture that supported larval growth and development comparable with the standard gelled diet. Larval and pupal weights from two concentrations of cellulose fiber-based diet were significantly higher than those obtained using gelled diet. The number of pupae per tray, percentage of adult emergence, oviposition, percentage of egg hatch, and adult longevity obtained from the insects reared in the cellulose fiber-based diet were comparable or slightly better than the biological parameters recorded from flies reared in the gelled diet. Moreover, results indicate that a lesser amount of the cellulose fiber-based diet than the normal amount of gelled diet per tray would support normal larval growth. Physical properties and texture of the new diet seem to allow the larvae to move and feed more freely than they do on the semisolid gelled diet, resulting in less wasted diet. The cellulose fiber is biodegradable and inexpensive, whereas the polyacrylate gel polymer is not biodegradable and is relatively expensive. Replacing gel with cellulose fiber in the screwworm larval diet for mass rearing should result in substantial cost savings in material and labor as well as eliminating concern of environmental pollution due to diet waste disposal.     

A new meatless diet for adult screwworm (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

Screwworm flies, Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel), were fed on honey and spray dried egg product; honey, molasses, and spray dried egg product; honey and spray dried meat protein; as well as on a control diet of honey and horsemeat, which is the standard diet used for screwworm adult colony in the mass-rearing facility. In general, the weight of eggs laid by females fed on the diet of spray dried egg product was significantly higher than that laid by females fed on the standard horsemeat diet. Egg production declined when spray dried meat protein replaced the egg product. Partial replacement of honey with molasses in the egg diet did not decrease egg production, compared with the control diet. The use of spray dried egg diet has advantages over the horsemeat diet, such as storage, handling, preparation, feeding, and expense. A cost analysis suggests that replacing the horsemeat with spray dried egg product, and half of the honey with molasses, would reduce the cost of the diet by more than US $100,000 annually.     

Cytogenetic mapping of the male-determining region of Lucilia cuprina (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

The Y chromosome of Lucilia cuprina was cytogenetically dissected by recovering adjacent segregation products from crosses with appropriate autosomal and Y-autosome translocations. By these means Y chromosomes lacking most of the short, long, or both arms were isolated. Only the centromeric portion of the Y chromosome was necessary for male determination and fertility, the bulk of the short and long arms having no role in sex determination. Additionally, it was shown that most of the short arm can be passed into the female line with no marked effect. These results, together with evidence from other studies, indicate that male determination in L. cuprina is centred in a discrete region near the Y chromosome centromere.