Diptera Ecology

Estuaries and salt marshes are important coastal ecosystems that present unique characteristics in terms
of nutrient cycling, salinity, habitats, flora and fauna. Despite their ecological importance, there is scarce
knowledge on the occupation, distribution and ecology of insects, including Tipuloidea, in these environments.
This study aimed to evaluate the composition, seasonality and effect of abiotic factors on the
abundance, diversity and structure of a Tipuloidea assemblage at the Patos Lagoon salt marshes, located
at the south of the Neotropical region. We sampled crane-flies from three zones along the estuary by
installing two Malaise traps at the low and high vegetation strata of each zone. Sampling was conducted
uninterruptedly every fifteen days between August/2015 and July/2016, and collected insects were
identified morphologically based on specific literature. 5248 crane-flies were identified covering six
species and twenty-five morphospecies. Abundance and frenquency of occurrence of species revealed a
gap in the presence of constant species at the middle estuary. Dicranomyia, Gonomyia, Teucholabis and
Zelandotipula species were additional (accessory) species only in the upper estuary, while Symplecta cana
only in the lower estuary. This shows that different species prefer distinct points along the estuary.
Higher abundance of crane-flies was correlated with elevated temperature and humidity. Symplecta
pilipes was an exception, presenting increase in abundance under lower temperatures. Seasonal change
in Tipuloidea species composition was observed, with higher evenness of Dicranomyia, Geranomyia,
Rhipidia domestica and Symplecta cana (15e20%) during summer, and dominance of Symplecta pilipes in
winter (80%). The gap at the middle estuary can possibly be due to stress caused by large fluctuations in
salinity in the zone. In addition, the seasonal differences can have significant ecological consequences
such as the modification of the Tipuloid species that compose the detritivorous and/or succivorous
trophic guild, and consequently influence the upper trophic levels of the salt marsh environment.

This paper comprises Part II of a review of flower visitation and pollination by Diptera (myiophily or myophily). While Part I examined taxonomic diversity of anthophilous flies, here we consider the rewards and attractants used by flowers to procure visits by flies, and their importance in the lives of flies. Food rewards such as pollen and nectar are the primary reasons for flower visits, but there is also a diversity of non-nutritive rewards such as brood sites, shelter, and places of congregation. Floral attractants are the visual and chemical cues used by Diptera to locate flowers and the rewards that they offer, and we show how they act to increase the probability of floral visitation. Lastly, we discuss the various ways in which flowers manipulate the behaviour of flies, deceiving them to visit flowers that do not provide the advertised reward, and how some flies illegitimately remove floral rewards without causing pollination. Our review demonstrates that myiophily is a syndrome corresponding to elements of anatomical, behavioural and physiological adaptations of flower-visiting Diptera. The bewildering diversity of anthophilous Diptera and of the floral attractants and rewards to which they respond allows for only broad generalizations on myiophily and points to the need for more investigation. Ecological relationships between flies and flowers are critical to the survival of each group in many habitats. We require greater understanding of the significance of flies in pollination, especially in the face of recent pollinator declines.

Understanding species’ interactions and the robustness of interaction networks to species loss is essential to understand the effects of species’ declines and extinctions. In most studies, different types of networks (such as food webs, parasitoid webs, seed dispersal networks, and pollination networks) have been studied separately. We sampled such multiple networks simultaneously in an agroecosystem. We show that the networks varied in their robustness; networks including pollinators appeared to be particularly fragile. We show that, overall, networks did not strongly covary in their robustness, which suggests that ecological restoration (for example, through agri-environment schemes) benefitting one functional group will not inevitably benefit others. Some individual plant species were disproportionately well linked to many other species. This type of information can be used in restoration management, because it identifies the plant taxa that can potentially lead to disproportionate gains in biodiversity.

The fauna of blowflies (Calliphoridae and Mesembrinellidae) in three localities of primary Amazon forest coverage in the Amazonas-Negro interfluvial region was assessed. A total of 5066 blowflies were collected, with Chloroprocta idiodea being the most abundant species (66.3%). A difference in species richness between the localities ZF2 and Novo Airão was observed. Comparison among sampled sites revealed no considerable variation in fauna composition, except for the species Eumesembrinella benoisti (Séguy 1925) and Hemilucilia sp., whose occurrence was observed only in a single locality. Apparently, Amazon rivers are not efficient geographical barriers to influence the current composition of necrophagous blowfly assemblages. Also, most of the blowfly species did not show a noticeable specificity for any specific forest among the interfluvial areas of the ombrophilous forest. Finally, an updated checklist of necrophagous blowfly species of the Amazonas state in Brazil is presented.

Mitochondria contain a small yet essential set of genes retained from their endosymbiotic α-proteobacterial ancestor, even though most genes from the respiring invader were either transferred to the host genome or lost very early in eukaryotic evolution. It has now become increasingly clear that successful migration of mitochondrial genes to the nucleus is still going on (at least in lineages which have the standard genetic code in the mitochondrion) and stages in this evolutionary process are depicted in Fig. 1 (see also reviews by ...

Date-locality records for seven species of the genus Tetanocera  Diptera: Sciomyzidae) are presented for the west of Ireland (Co. Clare, Co. Galway, Co. Mayo, Co. Roscommon and Co. Westmeath). These data include five new records for Co. Galway, one for Co. Mayo, six for Co. Roscommon, one for Co. Clare and one for Co. Westmeath. Details on habitats, phenology and feeding behaviour are also provided.

"The effects of sample fixation with alcohol and formaldehyde on length (L)-weight (W) relationship of chironomid larvae were quantified. Using the obtained relationships between fresh and preserved weights of larvae, the available data on length-weight relationship of Chironomus plumosus in various populations were converted into the same units relating the fresh weight of larvae with their length (W = aL^b).  The results show that growth allometry of larvae explicitly alters along a latitudinal gradient. The power index (b) of the unified length-weight relationships in different populations decreases from the south to the north in a way that weights for larvae at smaller lengths  are notably higher in more northern areas. 

Original name: Островский, И. С. 1983. Соотношение длины и веса у личинок Chironomus plumosus L. (Chironomidae, Diptera) в разных точках ареала и влияние на него способов фиксации.
"

Recently, populations of flies have increased in numbers given the elevated levels of organic matter waste produced by anthropic activities and domestication of animals. Such increase represents a worldwide health concern, since flies can be vectors of human diseases. The great variety of feeding and developmental habits of flies of the family Sarcophagidae taking place on animal corpses, feces and decomposed organic matter make them potential vectors of pathogens. Herein, we evaluated the synanthropic index (SI), as well as other ecological aspects of this family, through simultaneous monthly samplings in three areas with different degrees of human disturbance (urban, rural and forest). Each area had four van Someren Rydon traps, each one with a different bait (i.e., human feces, chicken viscera, fish and decomposing onion). Traps were active during 48 hours each month, and specimen collection was made every 12 hours. A total of 7 446 Sarcophagidae individuals were collected (1275 ...

Context: The synthetic insecticides used to control Diptera are harmful to the environment and humans. Extracts and compounds from plants are a more sustainable source for the development of bio-insecticides. Aims: To evaluate the efficacy of a hydroalcoholic extract of Persea americana Mill seeds as an alternative control of the species Musca domestica. Methods: The extracts were obtained by two methods, the Shaker (S) and the Soxhlet extraction (SE) method, using 94% ethanol as the solvent. Also, the qualitative chemical composition was determined by phytochemical screening. The effect of the two extracts on the post-embryonic development of the fly as well as the adulticidal effect was evaluated. Results: Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of metabolites such as alkaloids, coumarins, tannins, flavonoids, sugars and amino acids. The influence on the post-embryonic development of M. domestica was demonstrated, especially on the viability of larvae and neolarvae to adults; however, the effect on the weight and duration of each period was low. The adulticidal effects of the extracts were determined by the lethal concentration 50(LC50) of 2.91o mg/100 mL and 3.944 mg/100 mL for the S and SE extracts, respectively. Conclusions: Both extracts showed their insecticidal effects against Musca domestica, but the extract elaborated by S method showed greater influence diminishing viability and better adulticidal effect.

In contrast to well-known and frequently collected invertebrate groups such as butterflies, dragonflies, ground beetles and spiders most dipteran families including long-Iegged or dolichopodid flies are quite obscure, even to most entomologists. Nevertheless dolichopodid flies show all features that makes this family especially suitable for bio-indicatory purposes (high species-richness, distinct habitat affinity. high sensitivity to environmental alterations).
In chapter I the morphology. biology and ecology of this taxonomlc group are briefly discussed and a short overview of the sampling activities In Belgium since the second half of the 19th century is given. Subsequently we give a short discussion on the purpose and the use of Red Lists.
In chapter II we discuss the origin and the processing of the data. Distribution data originate from both Iiterature, museum collections and continuous sampling campaigns.The methodology applied for this Red List relies on the comparison of the geographical distribution of the species (= rarity), - expressed as the proportion of grid cells (UTM 5x5km) where the species has been encountered to the total number of sampled grid cells In Flanders -, between time periods 1850-1980 and 1981-1997 (= trend). Indeed, in both periods a comparable number of grid cells was sampled and a comparable number of species collected. At the end of this chapter the Red List categories and criteria are presented.
Chapter III comprises the discussion of the results of the above mentioned analyses on species level, both for Belgium and Flanders. A total of 295 species has been established in Belgium with certainty of which 260 occur in Flanders. A complete species list for Flanders is given. Of these species, 22 are 'Extinct in Flanders', 10 'Critically endangered', 14 'Endangered', 16 'Vulnerable', 86 'Susceptible or rare', 39 'Insufficiently known' and 73 are considered 'Safe/At low risk'. For 95 species a data sheet is included with information on identification keys, geographical distribution, ecology (habitat affinity) , status, threats, protection measures and relevant literature references. Distribution maps for all species in Belgium are added in Appendix III.
In Chapter IV we compare the Red List of dolichopodid flies wlth those of other organisms for which a Red List of Flanders has recently been generated. Also, a comparison is made with the Red List of dolichopodid flies of Great Britain and Germany. The largest part of this chapter deals with the most threatened habitats for dolichopodids In Flanders. Per
biotope type (mud flats and salt water marshes, marshes, woodlands, coastal dunes, grasslands, heathland and bogs, disturbed sites and riparian biotopes) the different habitats and threatened and/or rare species are discussed. The dolichopodid fauna of saltmarshes is by far the most threatened in Flanders with 68% of threatened and/or rare species. In reedmarshes and other marshlands, moderately to very humid woodlands, coastal dunes and humid heathlands, threatened and rare species make up one thirth or more of the entire dolichopodid fauna, which makes these habitats among the most valuable in
Flanders. Nearly all threatened and rare saltmarsh-inhabiting species are typical for this habitat whereas characteristic heathland and coastal dune species make up about half of the threatened and/or rare species in these habitats. Finally, a number of practical proposals are given which should yield lacking information on the ecology and distribution·of partlcular faunas or species. These additional data should enable us to carry out a periodic updating of the present Red List in the future.

This study investigated pollinator assemblage diversity and richness in four forested ecosystems of southern Punjab, Pakistan, with different landscape types. Pirowal is situated in the plains of irrigated Punjab, Lal Suhanra is part of a sandy desert ecosystem, Ghazi Ghat is part of the Indus River delta, and Fort Munro is located in dry hilly mountains. A yearlong survey of pollinator populations was carried out in these four forested ecosystems from January to December of 2010. Fortnightly hand netting was performed for collecting flower-visiting insects whereas, pan traps of three colors (white, blue, and yellow) were deployed for collecting the data. A total of 8,812 individuals from two orders (Lepidoptera and Diptera) were observed, including 22 families and 154 species. Bees were the most abundant, with 4,502 individuals, and the most species-rich taxa, with 70 species in five families, followed by flies having 2,509 individuals and 51species in 10 families. Wasps were the least abundant with 1,801 individuals and 33 species in seven families. The assemblage structure of pollinator communities as visualized through rank abundance curves showed that there were many species with low abundance and only a few species with a much higher abundance. The most abundant species among the bees, in order, were Nomia sp.3, Megachile bicolor, and Colletes sp.3; among flies, Syrphus sp.2, Calliphoridae sp.1, and Empididae sp.4; and among wasps, Tiphiidae sp.1, Myzininae sp.2, and Scelionidae sp.1. Ó 2018 Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of King Saud University. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Pinzari M., Pinzari M., Sbordoni V. – Notes on life-history of Erycia furibunda (Diptera Tachinidae), a parasitoid of Euphydryas aurinia provincialis (Lepidoptera Nymphalidae) In this paper we present new data on the larval-pupal parasitoid Erycia furibunda found in association with coexisting populations of E. aurinia provincialis in Central Italy. For the first time we provide information on the biology of this tachinid revealing the duration of puparium stage, the protandry and adult phenology in captive conditions.

Species-level identification of male dolichopodid flies (Diptera: Dolichopodidae) is based on the structure of genitalia and secondary sexual characters. The effect of parasitic nematodes on the diagnostic features was studied in a sample of over 6000 Dolichopus adults collected mostly from Finland. Large nematodes were found in the abdominal cavity of 45 Dolichopus males. Parasitised males of the small to mid-sized species D. fraterculus Zetterstedt, D. lepidus Staeger, D. longitarsis Stannius and D. picipes Meigen were clearly demasculinised. Secondary sexual characters like a narrowed face, long ciliae on hind femora and modified tarsal segments were weakly developed or absent. Changes in the size, shape and position of male genitalia were also found. Larger species like D. discifer Stannius and D. popularis Wiedemann were less affected by the parasites. Some of the nematode-infected males have been described as new species and they are here synonymised as follows: Dolichopus brachyurus Zetterstedt 1859=D. fraterculus Zetterstedt, 1843; D. consimilis Wahlberg, 1850=D. picipes Meigen, 1824; D. cruralis Wahlberg, 1850=D. lepidus Staeger, 1842; D. kowarzianus Stackelberg, 1928=D. longitarsis Stannius, 1831; D. lapponicus Becker, 1917=D. lepidus Staeger, 1842; D. micropygus Wahlberg, 1850=D. fraterculus Zetterstedt, 1843; D. parvicaudatus Zetterstedt, 1843=D. plumipes (Scopoli, 1763); D. pectinitarsis Stenhammar, 1851=D. plumipes (Scopoli, 1763) syn. nov.

Acrocerid flies are endoparasitoids of spiders. New host associations are reported for Ogcodes melampus Loew
1872, O. eugonatus Loew 1872, and Acrocera sp. (Group IV; sensu Sabrosky 1944) from reared individuals of two Salticidae
species, Pelegrina proterva (Walckenaer 1837) (both Ogcodes species), and Eris militaris (Hentz 1845) (the Acrocera sp.)
(Group IV; sensu Sabrosky 1944). The spiders were sampled in the canopy and understorey of a mature north-temperate
hardwood forest at the Morgan Arboretum, Quebec, Canada.
Keywords: Endoparasitoids, Salticidae, canopy, maple, beech

Chemical analyses of the inflorescence odours of 11 species of Arum^ 20 species of Amorphophailus and two species of Pseudodracontium are presented and compared to the limited published data that are available on pollinalurs of these species. The chemical odour profiles of dung-smelling Arum species were complex, with butanoic acid esters, 1-decene, two dimethyloctadienes,/j-cresol, indole and 2-hcptanone being among the most common identified major constituents in species analysed. The fragrant odour of Arum ...

ABSTRACT Phytotelmata are temporary pools of rainwater impounded on plants. These pools provide aquatic habitats in which immature stages of insects live. Zingiberales plants can have two types of phytotelmata, the bract pool on the inflorescence and the tubes formed as young leaves unroll. The Diptera fauna of these habitats are poorly known. This study reports on a systematic inventory of invertebrate communities from Zingiberales in Costa Rica and Peru. Collections of invertebrates were extracted from 251 phytotelmata representing six species of Zingiberales – Heliconiaceae: Heliconia robusta Pax, Heliconia stricta Huber, and Heliconia tortuosa Griggs; Marantaceae: Calathea lutea Schult; and Zingiberaceae: Alpinia purpurata (Vieillard) K. Schumann and Renealmia spp. Aquatic Diptera (620 larvae and pupae) were found in 34 samples (32 bract pools and 2 leaf rolls). These Diptera were extracted, sorted and identified to 22 morpho species in 5 families of aquatic ‘Nematocera’, two families of aquatic Brachycera, and one group of undetermined aquatic Brachycera families. Chironomidae (159 individuals, 3 species) were the numerically dominant family, then Syrphidae (141 individuals, 3 species), and Psychodidae (81 individuals, 2 species). The Peru phytotelmata contained more species of Diptera than the Costa Rica phytotelmata. Altogether, four new host associations are documented between aquatic Diptera and Zingiberales phytotelmata habitats in Costa Rica and 14 such records in Peru. Results of a cluster analysis indicate that communities of aquatic Diptera varied between sampling sites and within and between plants. Phytotelmata add to habitat heterogeneity and are likely to increase diversity of aquatic Diptera and other taxa; therefore, phytotelmata should be included in assessments of aquatic Diptera.

The Diptera are the second most important order among flower-visiting (anthophilous) and flower-pollinating insects worldwide. Their taxonomic diversity ranges from Nematocera to Brachycera, including most families within the suborders. Especially important are Syrphidae, Bombyliidae, and Muscoidea. Other families, especially of small flies, are less appreciated and often overlooked for their associations with flowers. We have compiled records of their flower visitations to show that they may be more prevalent than usually thought. Our knowledge of anthophilous Diptera needs to be enhanced by future research concerning (i) the significance of nocturnal Nematocera and acalypterate muscoids as pollinators, (ii) the extent to which the relatively ineffective pollen-carrying ability of some taxa can be compensated by the abundance of individuals, and (iii) the role of Diptera as pollinators of the first flowering plants (Angiospermae) by using phylogenetic and palaeontological evidence....

This paper comprises Part II of a review of flower visitation and pollination by Diptera (myiophily or myophily). While Part I examined taxonomic diversity of anthophilous flies, here we consider the rewards and attractants used by flowers to procure visits by flies, and their importance in the lives of flies. Food rewards such as pollen and nectar are the primary reasons for flower visits, but there is also a diversity of non-nutritive rewards such as brood sites, shelter, and places of congregation. Floral attractants are the visual and chemical cues used by Diptera to locate flowers and the rewards that they offer, and we show how they act to increase the probability of floral visitation. Lastly, we discuss the various ways in which flowers manipulate the behaviour of flies, deceiving them to visit flowers that do not provide the advertised reward, and how some flies illegitimately remove floral rewards without causing pollination. Our review demonstrates that myiophily is a synd...

The Diptera are the second most important order among flower-visiting (anthophilous) and flower-pollinating insects worldwide. Their taxonomic diversity ranges from Nematocera to Brachycera, including most families within the suborders. Especially important are Syrphidae, Bombyliidae, and Muscoidea. Other families, especially of small flies, are less appreciated and often overlooked for their associations with flowers. We have compiled records of their flower visitations to show that they may be more prevalent than usually thought. Our knowledge of anthophilous Diptera needs to be enhanced by future research concerning (i) the significance of nocturnal Nematocera and acalypterate muscoids as pollinators, (ii) the extent to which the relatively ineffective pollen-carrying ability of some taxa can be compensated by the abundance of individuals, and (iii) the role of Diptera as pollinators of the first flowering plants (Angiospermae) by using phylogenetic and palaeontological evidence....

This study investigated pollinator assemblage diversity and richness in four forested ecosystems of southern Punjab, Pakistan, with different landscape types. Pirowal is situated in the plains of irrigated Punjab, Lal Suhanra is part of a sandy desert ecosystem, Ghazi Ghat is part of the Indus River delta, and Fort Munro is located in dry hilly mountains. A yearlong survey of pollinator populations was carried out in these four forested ecosystems from January to December of 2010. Fortnightly hand netting was performed for collecting flower-visiting insects whereas, pan traps of three colors (white, blue, and yellow) were deployed for collecting the data. A total of 8,812 individuals from two orders (Lepidoptera and Diptera) were observed, including 22 families and 154 species. Bees were the most abundant, with 4,502 individuals, and the most species-rich taxa, with 70 species in five families, followed by flies having 2,509 individuals and 51species in 10 families. Wasps were the l...

Philornis downsi (Dodge and Aitken) is a bird-parasitic muscid fly native to mainland South America that recently invaded the Galápagos Islands where it is parasitizing Darwin’s finches and other land birds. This parasite was previously known only from Argentina, Brazil, and Trinidad and Tobago. The first report of P. downsi from mainland Ecuador is provided, supporting the hypothesis that the invasion route of P. downsi from its native range to the Galápagos Islands includes mainland Ecuador. Four different morphologies of pupal exuviae, which belong to different fly species, were uncovered. Dipteran puparia were found in 20% of naturally occurring nests collected in 2013 and in 27% of nests in 2014 at the two sites in western Ecuador. P. downsi accounted for 74% and 40% of the puparia in 2013 and 2014, respectively. Two new bird host species for the genus Philornis were recorded: the streak-headed woodcreeper (Lepidocolaptes souleyetii) and the fasciated wren (Campylorhynchus fasciatus). The levels of nest parasitism found were much lower than levels reported for the Galápagos Islands. Finally, parasitism of P. downsi by a parasitoid in the genus Brachymeria (Hymenoptera, Chalcididae) is documented. Overall, 9% of fly puparia collected in 2013, and 19% of those collected in 2014, had parasitoid emergence holes.

Maslova O.O., Negrobov O.P., Fursov V.N. A new species of Dolichopus Latreille, 1798 (Diptera: Dolichopodidae) from Japan. – Caucasian Entomological Bulletin (Russia), 2014, Vol. 10 (2), P.317-319. (in English)
Новый вид Dolichopus Latreille, 1796
(Diptera: Dolichopodidae) из Японии
О.О. Маслова, О.П. Негробов, В.Н. Фурсов.
The new species from Japan Dolichopus
kumazawai Maslova, Negrobov et Fursov, sp. n. is
described. Material. Holotype: male, Japan, Honshu, Aichi Pref., Nagoya, Nagakute-cho Park, 15.06.1999 (leg. V. Fursov) (ZIN). Paratypes: 6 males, Japan, Honshu, Aichi Pref., Nagoya, Nagakute-cho Park, 15.06.1999 (leg. V. Fursov), Japan, Saitama Pref., Edogawa River bank, Misato City, 9.09.2006
(leg. T. Tago), Japan, Tokyo, Mizumoto, Katsushika ward, 26.07.2009 (leg. T. Tago) (ZIN, IZU, OMNH, VSU).