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DIPTERA, Chamaemyiidae (Ochthiphilidae)
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& <Juveniles> Description & Statistics
Martelli (1908) studied an undetermined species which was
predatory on the eggs of Filippia oleae Costa in Italy. During oviposition the female fly stands
either on the egg sac or at one side of it, inserts the ovipositor beneath
the margin or through the wax covering, and lays an egg among those of the
host. The entire contents of the sac
are consumed by one larva,a nd the cycle from egg to adult takes 30
days. There are 4-5 generations
annually. Cottam (1922) studying some unnamed species that are common
predators on aphids in Africa. One
was effective in controlling Aphis sorghi Theo. Cherian (1933) studied the life history of Leucopis sp., an aphid predator in India. The egg is 0.36 mm long, white and ribbed
longitudinally. First instar larvae
lack the integumentary hairs, but the mature form has several fleshy
processes on each body segment. The
posterior spiracles of all instars are borne on stalked processes, which are
most pronounced on the mature larva and the puparium. Before pupation the larva exudes a great
quantity of mucilaginous substance, which darkens quickly and attaches the
puparium to the substratum. The egg,
larval and pupal stages require 2-4, 4-5 and 5-7 days, respectively. Clausen (1940) referred to an unpublished M.S. Thesis by Maple
treating of Leucopis bella Lw. and L. griseola Fall in
North America. L. bella is a common
predator of eggs, and possible young larvae, of dactylopine Coccidae, while L. griseola
is an effective natural enemy of aphids.
Eggs of both species are ca. 0.5 X 0.16 mm., with the anterior end a
bit pointed, and are pearly white, with the surface bearing longitudinal
ridges. They are laid singly among
the egg masses or colonies of the host, where they hatch in 3-4 days. Leucopis bella has three
larval instars. The first is white,
later becoming reddish, broadest in the abdominal region, and bluntly rounded
posteriorly. It tapers markedly
toward the head. The integument is
bare. The posterior spiracles are
simple and borne on prominent conical extensions. The anterior spiracles are minute. Third instar larvae are 5.00 mm long and clothed only with tiny
setae. The posterior spiracles are
borne on long cylindrical processes, which are widely separated, diverging
and directed dorsad. Each spiracle
consists of three curved, fingerlike projections, each of which bears an
opening at the apex. The larva of L. griseola
differs from that of L. bella by having small, fleshy spines
on all body segments. In both
species, the number of molts varies, apparently with temperature. Some individuals have only two larval
instars rather than the usual three. Pupation occurs
among the egg masses of the host. An
incomplete cocoon is spun, composed of a network of coarse threads, which may
serve as a means of attachment. It is
not formed when pupation occurs in the open.
The puparium is dull reddish brown, and indistinctly segmented except
for the anterior portion. Stalked
caudal spiracles of the mature larva persist unchanged, and there are no
protruding prothoracic pupal cornicles (Clausen 1940/62). There are several generations annually, and in summer the egg,
larval and pupal stages are completed in 3-4, 8-12, and 13-14 days,
respectively. Winter is passed in the
pupal stage in temperate regions. Malloch (1921) noted puparia of several predaceous species from
Illinois. The puparium of L. orbitalis
Malloch has minute, 4-branched anterior spiracles,and the caudal pair are
borne upon short, stout stalks lying closely to the substratum on which the
puparium is formed. The posterior
spiracles of Leucopomyia pulvinariae Malloch are very small and
sessile, differing in this respect from those described for other species of
Chamaemyiidae. All species were found
to have the ventral side of the puparium somewhat flattened and sometimes the
dorsum depressed. This family had about 205 known species as of 2000. Although cosmopolitan, they are mostly
Holarctic. Diagnostic characters
include a complete costa and anal wing vein; postvertical bristles;
interfrontal bristles that are absent and a small clypeus. The body is smaller than 4 mm, grey with
black dots on the abdomen. The arista
is hairy or bare, the front femur contains bristles and the preapical tibial
bristles are absent. Immature Chmaemyiidae are predators of scale insects, mealybugs
and aphids. They are of some
importance to biological pest control,
and some have been transported to North America for balsam wooly aphid control.. Some species are hyperparasitoids of Hemiptera. The African genera Alloxysta and Phaenoglyphis are
hyperparasitoids of Aphididae via Aphidiinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and
Aphelinidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea). Species of the African geners Apocharips and Dilyta are hyperparasitoids of
Psyllidae via Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea). References: Please refer to <biology.ref.htm>, [Additional references
may be found at: MELVYL
Library] Cole, F.
R. 1969.
The Flies of Western North America.
Univ. Calif. Press, Berkeley & Los Angeles. 693 p. McAlpine, J. F. 1960. Canad. Ent.
92: 51-8. McAlpine, J. F. 1963. Canad. Ent.
95: 239-53. |