Ochthera | |
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Ochthera sp. from the Western Ghats | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Diptera |
Family: | Ephydridae |
Subfamily: | Gymnomyzinae |
Tribe: | Ochtherini |
Genus: | Ochthera Latreille, 1802 [1] |
Type species | |
Musca manicata |
Ochthera is a genus of flies in the family of shore flies (Ephydridae). The genus is distinctive because of the swollen raptorial forelegs. The larvae are predaceous on midge larvae while the adults feed on midges and mosquitoes. The genus is found around the world with about 37 species. [3] The species Ochthera chalybescens has been shown to prey on African malaria vectors . [4] [5]
It has been noted that foreleg waving may be involved in displays and UV reflective patches on the face and fore coxae may be involved. [6]
Spreading and waving of the foreleg is involved in same sex encounters as well as with male and female pairs during approach. It is not known if it is a threat or a recognition display. Adult Ochthera mantis have been noted to probe sand with their proboscis and when they detect prey such as chirononomid larvae, they are excavated using the fore tibial spines and held between the tibia and femora as the prey is consumed. [7]
All species in the genus are predaceous.
These 55 species belong to the genus Ochthera:
Pherbellia is a genus of flies in the family Sciomyzidae, the marsh flies or snail-killing flies. They occur throughout the world, except for the Subantarctic region.
Ephydrinae is a subfamily of shore flies in the family Ephydridae.
Typopsilopa is a genus of shore flies in the family Ephydridae. There are about 19 described species in Typopsilopa.
Hydrelliinae is a subfamily of shore flies in the family Ephydridae.
Philygria is a genus of shore flies.
Athyroglossa is a genus of shore flies in the family Ephydridae.
Gymnomyzinae is a subfamily of shore flies in the family Ephydridae.
Parydra is a genus of shore flies in the family Ephydridae. There are at least 70 described species in Parydra.
Hecamede is a genus of shore flies.
Hyadina is a genus of shore flies in the family Ephydridae.
Leptopsilopa is a genus of shore flies in the family Ephydridae.
Paralimna is a genus of shore flies.
Brachydeutera is a genus of shore flies in the family Ephydridae. There are about 16 described species in the genus Brachydeutera.
Discocerina is a genus of shore flies in the family Ephydridae.
Ephydra is a genus of flies belonging to the family Ephydridae.
Setacera breviventris is a species of shore flies in the family Ephydridae.