Phorid fly

Genus/Species Megaselia nigra. Megaselia halterafa r 

Natural Habitat Commonly inhabiting manure piles and rank, decaying vegetation feeding on wild fungi and their myceiia. Phorid larvae are frequently seen tunneling through wild mushrooms. 

Mature Stage Distinguishing features are a humped back, a rapid jerky run, a rounded third antennal segment and a yellowish to reddish brown back. Adults measure 2-5 mm. long. Females live 16 days and males live 10 days. 

Larval Stage Larvae are 6-10 mm. long, white and semi-transparent. The head is characterized by a pair of mouth hooks with seven teeth. The segmented body tapers from the head to the posterior end. Larvae pass through three instars. 

Pupal Stage Pupae are white at first then becoming pale yellow to brown. They can be distinguished by a pair of curved black respiratory horns. 

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The neotropical staphylenid Leistrotrophus versicolor use volatile compounds secreted from their abdominal tips to attract their prey, drosophilid and phorid flies [ 116]. The structures of the active compounds are yet unknown, however, it has been speculated that actinidine or other iridoids, typically found in the defensive gland which are located at the abdominal tips of these beetles, may be key components [117]. 

This subclass also includes heptenophos, which is primarily used for control of aphids in agricultural, horticultural, and ornamental crops cherry fruit fly, psylla, and phorid fly on mushrooms and mealybugs, whiteflies, and thrips in greenhouses. Its oral LD50 in rats is 96-121 mg/kg. 

Figure 232 Phorid fly and its larva. (Adapted from P.R. VanderMeer Penn. St. Univ. Coop. Ext. Ser.)...

Mature Stage Leptocera has large red compound eyes and with a yellow and black striped abdomen. Leptocera flies are very similar to phorid flies but are smaller and have a distinctive wing venation. They somewhat resemble the common fruit fly. 

Chen L, Sharma KR, Fadamiro HY. Fire and venran alkaloids act as key attractants for the parasitic phorid fly, Pseudacteon tricuspis (Diptera Phoridae). Naturwis-senschaften 2009 96(12) 1421-9. 

Sharma KR, Fadamiro HY. Fire ant alarm pheromone and venom alkaloids act in concert to attract parasitic phorid flies, Pseudacteon spp. J Insect Physiol 2013 59 (11) 1119-24. 

Figure 234 Wing venation of mushroom flies clockwise from top right, Leptocera, Sciarid, Cecid and Phorid.

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