Exaireta spinigera

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Exaireta spinigera
Garden Soldier Fly face on (14412405409).jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Family: Stratiomyidae
Subfamily: Beridinae
Genus: Exaireta
Species:
E. spinigera
Binomial name
Exaireta spinigera
(Wiedemann, 1830) [1]
Synonyms

Exaireta spinigera commonly known as the garden soldier fly, [4] blue soldier fly, [5] and spiked lion fly [6] in Russian. The species is a part of the Stratiomyidae family. The originally described holotype of the species was kept in the Berlin Museum and was discovered when Australia was still referred to as New Holland. [1] The original taxonomic description of the species requires translation from German using the Fraktur alphabet.

Contents

Garden soldier fly, Exaireta spinigera Garden Soldier Fly on compost (14412559037).jpg
Garden soldier fly, Exaireta spinigera

Description

Exaireta spinigera has been described by many sources as having an elongated abdomen with four yellow-tipped spikes that protrude from the scutellum, found near the thorax. [6] It is black with violet undertones [7] and shaded wings. [8] The abdomen is also characterized by a metallic shine like other members of the Stratiomyidae family. [9] Exaireta spinigera also sports typical Stratiomyidae antennae which are composed of three distinctive segments. [8]

The length of the fly has been recorded between 14mm [6] and 16mm. [10] Historically it was noted the males were 9-10mm long with a 7-8mm wing length and females 13-15mm with an 11-12mm wing length. [7] Both the larvae and fly form of Exaireta spinigera have a flattened-shaped body, which is also typical of the Stratiomyidae family [11] but no other sources could be found describing the morphology of the larvae or eggs.

Range

Natural global range

Exaireta spinigera is native to Australia but has been introduced to many different countries like New Zealand, Hawaii, [12] North America, Europe, [13] and Russia. [6]

It was first found in Honolulu, Hawaii in the 1890s and became commonly spread by the 1900s. It was later found in North America, in Santa Barbara, California in 1985. [14] In Europe, it has been spreading throughout Italy and while it was first recorded in the Italian Peninsula, it has since been found in France. [13] Exaireta spinigera was also most recently discovered on the Black Sea coast in Alder, Russia. [6] The species has a widespread distribution and is likely in other countries not mentioned.

New Zealand range

Exaireta spinigera has been found throughout both islands of New Zealand. The furthest south it was recorded was Papatowai and the most northern was Pupuke. [5] It has been historically found in Auckland, Whangārei and Wellington as part of its known habitat. [7]

Habitat

The larvae of Exaireta spinigera prefer living in decaying organic matter [14] and are commonly associated with residential compost bins. The adult garden soldier fly also prefers and is often found hovering around decaying organic matter. [14] They are commonly seen around residential gardens. [15]

Ecology

Life cycle/Phenology

Exaireta spinigera has been noticed in Australia to have a seasonal pattern where activity and sightings peak in Autumn and Spring. The peak starts in April but the species is most active between March and May and is shown to have another activity peak between September and December. [15] The species is also diurnal. [5]

There is a preference for eggs to be laid directly into substrate such as decaying organic matter but not much is known about the rearing, lifecycle and mating behaviour of Exaireta spinigera. [15] The pupa of Stratiomydiae is formed inside the larval skin which does not change during the process. [8] It was assumed that when conditions were too moist the larvae of Exaireta spinigera sought out drier locations to pupate but were not able to be observed. [15] There is no current literature on the life cycle, mating and rearing behavior of the species.

Diet and foraging

Stratiomyidae is a family of detrivores. [15] Exaireta spinigera has been studied to see its effectiveness as a bioconvertor of food waste as the larvae consumes detritus. [15] It is assumed that pollen and nectar may be a potential food source for adults. [4]

Predators, Parasites, and Diseases

Predators of Exaireta spinigera include Vespula germanica , the German wasp, [16] Trite planiceps , and the black-headed jumping spider. [17] Female praying mantis nymphs Miomantis caffra predate on the larvae stage Exareita spinigera [18] and Dactylosternum abdominale , a water beetle predates on both egg and larvae of Exaireta spinigera. [19]

Cultural uses

There is currently no literature that suggests a cultural usage of Exaireta spinigera.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forensic entomology</span> Application of insect and other arthropod biology to forensics

Forensic entomology is a field of forensic science that uses insects found on corpses to help solve criminal cases. This includes the study of insect types commonly associated with cadavers, their respective life cycles, their ecological presences in a given environment, as well as the changes in insect assemblage with the progression of decomposition. Insect succession patterns are identified based on the time a given species of insect spends in a given developmental stage, and how many generations have been produced since the insect's introduction to a given food source. Insect development alongside environmental data such as temperature and vapor density, can be used to estimate the time since death, due to the fact that flying insects are attracted to a body immediately after death. Forensic entomology can also provide clues about possible movement of the body after death, and the presence of antemortem trauma. The identification of postmortem interval (PMI) to aid in death investigations is the primary scope of this scientific field. However, forensic entomology is not limited to homicides, and has also been used in cases of neglect and abuse, in toxicology contexts to detect the presence of drugs, and in dry shelf food contamination incidents. Insect assemblages present on a body can be used to approximate a primary location, as certain insects may be unique to certain areas. Therefore, forensic entomology can be divided into three subfields: urban, stored-product and medico-legal/medico-criminal entomology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hoverfly</span> Family of insects

Hoverflies, also called flower flies or syrphids, make up the insect family Syrphidae. As their common name suggests, they are often seen hovering or nectaring at flowers; the adults of many species feed mainly on nectar and pollen, while the larvae (maggots) eat a wide range of foods. In some species, the larvae are saprotrophs, eating decaying plant and animal matter in the soil or in ponds and streams. In other species, the larvae are insectivores, preying on aphids, thrips, and other plant-sucking insects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crane fly</span> Superfamily of flies

A crane fly is any member of the dipteran superfamily Tipuloidea, which contains the living families Cylindrotomidae, Limoniidae, Pediciidae and Tipulidae, as well as several extinct families. "Winter crane flies", members of the family Trichoceridae, are sufficiently different from the typical crane flies of Tipuloidea to be excluded from the superfamily Tipuloidea, and are placed as their sister group within Tipulomorpha.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stratiomyidae</span> Family of flies

The soldier flies are a family of flies. The family contains over 2,700 species in over 380 extant genera worldwide. Larvae are found in a wide array of locations, mostly in wetlands, damp places in soil, sod, under bark, in animal excrement, and in decaying organic matter. Adults are found near larval habitats. They are diverse in size and shape, though they commonly are partly or wholly metallic green, or somewhat wasplike mimics, marked with black and yellow or green and sometimes metallic. They are often rather inactive flies which typically rest with their wings placed one above the other over the abdomen.

<i>Hermetia illucens</i> Common and widespread fly of the family Stratiomyidae

Hermetia illucens, the black soldier fly, is a common and widespread fly of the family Stratiomyidae. Since the late 20th century, H. illucens has increasingly been gaining attention because of its usefulness for recycling organic waste and generating animal feed.

<i>Chrysomya putoria</i> Species of fly

Chrysomya putoria, also known as the tropical African latrine blowfly, is a fly species belonging to the blowfly family, Calliphoridae.C. putoria is native to Africa and has recently spread to the Americas. These flies pose significant health risks, especially due to their close association with human settlements. Adult flies can carry pathogens, while larvae may cause myiasis by growing and feeding on the flesh of domestic animals and humans. Other myiasis-causing flies in the same genus are C. bezziana and C. megacephala. C. putoria and other flies that feed on decomposing tissue are used as important tools in forensic entomology to establish the post-mortem interval, or the time elapsed since death.

<i>Melangyna viridiceps</i> Species of fly

Melangyna viridiceps is an Australian hoverfly, known as the common hover fly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eristalinae</span> Subfamily of flies

Eristalinae are one of the four subfamilies of the fly family Syrphidae, or hoverflies. A well-known species included in this subfamily is the dronefly, Eristalis tenax.

<i>Orthodera novaezealandiae</i> Species of insect

Orthodera novaezealandiae, known as the New Zealand mantis or the New Zealand praying mantis, is a species of praying mantis which is, as both the scientific name and common names suggest, indigenous and endemic to New Zealand.

<i>Chrysomya albiceps</i> Species of fly

Chrysomya albiceps is a species belonging to the blow fly family, Calliphoridae.

<i>Hydrotaea</i> Genus of flies

Hydrotaea is a genus of insects in the housefly family, Muscidae. They occur in most regions of the world but are more populous in warmer climates. They are often found on feces in summer months, and are therefore generally found in close proximity to livestock. Among the 130 known species in this genus, one of the most commonly recognized is the dump fly.

<i>Chloromyia formosa</i> Species of fly

Chloromyia formosa is a species of soldier flies belonging to the family Stratiomyidae. Another name for it is Broad centurion.

<i>Sargus bipunctatus</i> Species of fly

Sargus bipunctatus, the twin-spot centurion, is a European species of soldier fly.

<i>Microchrysa polita</i> Species of fly

Microchrysa polita, the black-horned gem, is a species of soldier fly found in Europe, Asia, and North America.

<i>Microchrysa cyaneiventris</i> Species of fly

Microchrysa cyaneiventris, the black gem, is a European species of soldier fly.

<i>Pachygaster atra</i> Species of fly

Pachygaster atra, the dark-winged black, is a European species of soldier fly.

<i>Beris vallata</i> Species of fly

Beris vallata, the orange legionnaire or common orange legionnaire, is a European species of soldier fly.

<i>Beris chalybata</i> Species of fly

Beris chalybata, the murky-legged black legionnaire, is a European species of soldier fly.

<i>Beris</i> Genus of flies

Beris is a genus of flies in the family Stratiomyidae. They are also referred to as the false soldier fly. As described by Latreille in 1802, these are small to medium sized flies with metallic colors.

<i>Inopus rubriceps</i> Species of fly

Inopus rubriceps, known generally as the sugarcane soldier fly or Australian soldier fly, is a species of soldier fly in the family Stratiomyidae. The fly acts as a host for the parasitoid wasps Neurogalesus carinatus and Neurogalesus militis. The species causes damage to pasture, as well as oat and maize crops, however the degree of damage it causes means it is not considered a major pest.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Wiedemann, Christian Rudolph Wilhelm (1830). Aussereuropäische Zweiflügelige Insekten. Vol. 2. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  2. ↑ Walker, F. (1848). List of the specimens of dipterous insects in the collection of the British Museum. part 1. London: British Museum. pp. 1–229.
  3. ↑ Macquart, P.J.M. (1838). Insectes diptères nouveaux ou peu connus. Tome premier.-1re partie. Paris: Roret. pp. 5–221, 25 pls.
  4. 1 2 "Garden soldier fly". Landcare Research. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  5. 1 2 3 "Blue soldier fly". Encyclopedia of Life. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Nartshuk, E. P.; Khachikov, E. A.; Poushkova, E. A. (1 January 2020). "Two Alien Species of Soldier Flies (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) on the Black Sea Coast of Russia". Russian Journal of Biological Invasions. 12 (1): 94–101. doi:10.1134/S2075111721010112.
  7. 1 2 3 Hutton, F.W. (1900). "Transactions of the New Zealand Institute: Zoology". Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand. 33 (16): 4.
  8. 1 2 3 Tillyard, R.J. (1926). The Insects of Australia and New Zealand. Australia, New South Wales, Sydney: Angus & Robertson LTD.
  9. ↑ Zborowski, P.; Storey, R. (2010). A Field Guide to Insects in Australia (Third ed.). Australia, New South Wales, Sydney: Reed New Holland.
  10. ↑ Farrow, R. (2016). Insects of South-Eastern Australia: An Ecological and Behavioural Guide. Australia, Victoria: CSIRO publishing.
  11. ↑ Colless, D.H.; McAlpine, D.K.; Entomology, C.D.O. (1991). The Insects of Australia:Diptera (Second ed.). Australia: Melbourne University Press.
  12. ↑ Malloch, J.R.; Mackerras, I.M. (1928). "Notes on Australian Diptera, No. 16". Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales. 16: 360–362.
  13. 1 2 Schifani, Enrico; Paolinelli, Ronni (22 October 2018). "Los foros y las redes sociales ayudan a descubrir especies exóticas en Europa y monitorear su propagación: el caso de Exaireta spinigera (Wiedemann, 1830) (Diptera, Stratiomyidae) en la península italiana y Sicilia". Graellsia. 74 (2): 079. doi:10.3989/graellsia.2018.v74.213.
  14. 1 2 3 Swann, J. E.; Kenner, R. D.; Cannings, R. A.; Copley, C. R. (2006). "Exaireta spinigera (Diptera: Stratiomyidae): the first published North American records of an Australian soldier fly". Journal of the Entomological Society of British Columbia. 103: 71–72. ISSN   1929-7890.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Mackillop, Stephanie; Keitel, Claudia; Latty, Tanya (February 2022). "Beyond Hermetia illucens : An investigation of the garden soldier fly Exaireta spinigera as a potential bioconverter of food waste". Journal of Applied Entomology. 146 (1–2): 168–174. doi:10.1111/jen.12936.
  16. ↑ "German Wasp - Encyclopedia of Life". eol.org.
  17. ↑ "Trite planiceps Simon 1899 - Encyclopedia of Life". eol.org.
  18. ↑ Fea, Murray P.; Stanley, Margaret C.; Holwell, Gregory I. (January 2014). "Cannibalistic siblicide in praying mantis nymphs (Miomantis caffra)". Journal of Ethology. 32 (1): 43–51. doi: 10.1007/s10164-013-0391-z .
  19. ↑ Velez-Gavilan, Jeanine (7 January 2022). "Dactylosternum abdominale (water scavenger beetle)". CABI Compendium. doi: 10.1079/cabicompendium.18139 .
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