| Phalacrotophora | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Diptera |
| Family: | Phoridae |
| Subfamily: | Metopininae |
| Tribe: | Metopinini |
| Genus: | Phalacrotophora Enderlein, 1912 [1] |
| Type species | |
| Phalacrotophora bruesiana | |
Phalacrotophora is a genus of scuttle flies (insects in the family Phoridae). There are at least 50 described species in Phalacrotophora. [2] [3] [4] [5]
These 57 species belong to the genus Phalacrotophora:
Melaloncha is a genus of phorid flies commonly referred to as "bee-killing flies". They are found almost exclusively in the Neotropical realm, although there is one record from extreme southern Texas, United States. They are small flies, usually about 2–3 millimetres (0.08–0.12 in) in length. No true fossils are known, although there are some specimens in Colombian copal, of unknown age.
The Metopininae are a subfamily of flies in the family Phoridae.
Pseudacteon is a genus of flies in the family Phoridae. There are over 70 described species of Pseudacteon fly. They are also known as ant-decapitating flies due to their parasitic larval stage. An egg is injected by the female fly into the shoulder joint of an ant worker. Soon after, the egg undergoes rapid inflation as it appears to absorb ant hemolymph. This first instar larva migrates into the ant head and consumes the jaw muscle and other tissues, leaving the mandibles hanging and preparing a future exit space. After about two weeks, the ant worker is termed a "zombie" because the fly larva has effectively taken control. The worker leaves the nest and dies in the leaf litter or in a crack in the soil. As it dies, the ant's head falls off, apparently because the fly larva releases an enzyme that dissolves the membrane attaching the ant's head to its body. The fly pupates in the detached head capsule, requiring a further two weeks before emerging through the ant's mouth. In tropical, subtropical areas the flies are active all year round, but in temperate regions they are active during all months except the winter months. Several Pseudacteon species were deliberately introduced to the United States to combat via biological control the invasive fire ant species Solenopsis invicta.
Phora is a genus of scuttle flies. There are at least 90 described species in Phora.
Gymnophora is a genus of scuttle flies. There are at least 60 described species in Gymnophora.
Beckerina is a genus of flies in the family Phoridae.
The Metopininae is a tribe of flies in the family Phoridae.
Chonocephalus is a genus of flies in the family Phoridae.
Cremersia is a genus of flies in the family Phoridae.
Menozziola is a genus of flies in the family Phoridae.
Metopina is a genus of flies in the family Phoridae.
Pericyclocera is a genus of flies in the family Phoridae.
Physoptera is a genus of flies in the family Phoridae.
Xanionotum is a genus of flies in the family Phoridae.
Aenigmatias is a genus of flies in the family Phoridae.
Borophaga is a genus of phorid flies.
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