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.