Phortica variegata

Phortica variegata
Phortica variegata frequenting a human eye in Italy
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Diptera
Family:	Drosophilidae
Genus:	Phortica
Species:	P. variegata
Binomial name
Phortica variegata Fallen, 1823

Phortica variegata (also known as the "variegated fruit fly") is a species of vinegar fly in the family Drosophilidae. Phortica and related fly species are perhaps best known for their behaviour of feeding on the lacrimal secretions (lachryphagy) of mammals. ^[1] As a consequence of this behaviour, P. variegata can serve as a vector of Thelazia callipaeda roundworms. ^{[2] [3]}

The species was first described as Amiota variegata (Fallén, 1823), but has since been clarified as a member of the Phortica genus.

References

1. Máca, Jan; Otranto, Domenico (2014-11-18). "Drosophilidae feeding on animals and the inherent mystery of their parasitism". Parasites & Vectors. 7 516. doi: 10.1186/s13071-014-0516-4 . ISSN   1756-3305. PMC   4243723 . PMID   25404259.
2. Otranto, D.; Cantacessi, C.; Testini, G.; Lia, R. P. (2006). "Phortica variegata as an intermediate host of Thelazia callipaeda under natural conditions: evidence for pathogen transmission by a male arthropod vector". International Journal for Parasitology. 36 (10–11): 1167–1173. doi:10.1016/j.ijpara.2006.06.006. ISSN   0020-7519. PMID   16842795.
3. Palfreyman, Jennifer; Graham-Brown, John; Caminade, Cyril; Gilmore, Paul; Otranto, Domenico; Williams, Diana J. L. (2018-04-27). "Predicting the distribution of Phortica variegata and potential for Thelazia callipaeda transmission in Europe and the United Kingdom". Parasites & Vectors. 11 (1): 272. doi: 10.1186/s13071-018-2842-4 . ISSN   1756-3305. PMC   5924467 . PMID   29703231.