2024

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21 pages, 9249 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Expanding the Mesozoic Record of Early Brachyceran Fly Larvae, including New Larval Forms with Chimera-Type Morphologies

by André P. Amaral, Joachim T. Haug, Carolin Haug, Simon Linhart, Patrick Müller, Jörg U. Hammel and Viktor Baranov

Insects 2024, 15(4), 270; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15040270 - 13 Apr 2024

Viewed by 382

Abstract

Diptera are one of the four megadiverse groups of holometabolan insects. Flies perform numerous ecological functions, especially in their larval stages. We can assume that this was already the case in the past; however, fly larvae remain rare in most deposits. Here we [...] Read more.

Diptera are one of the four megadiverse groups of holometabolan insects. Flies perform numerous ecological functions, especially in their larval stages. We can assume that this was already the case in the past; however, fly larvae remain rare in most deposits. Here we report new dipteran larvae preserved in Cretaceous (about 99 Ma) Kachin amber from Myanmar and, even older, Jurassic (about 165 Ma) compression fossils from China. Through light microscopy and micro-CT scanning we explore their peculiar morphology and discuss their possible phylogenetic affinities. Several larvae seem to represent the lineage of Stratiomyomorpha. A few others present characters unique to Xylophagidae (awl-flies), as well as to Athericidae (water sniper-flies), resulting in a chimeric morphology. Understanding the exact relationships of most of these specimens with a particular lineage remains challenging, since they differ considerably from any other known dipteran larvae and present some unique traits. Additionally, we report new specimens of Qiyia jurassica Chen et al., 2014, supposedly parasitic larvae, most likely representatives of Athericidae. These new findings offer valuable insights into the evolution of the early diversification of the brachyceran flies and underscore the importance of immature stages in understanding the evolutionary history and ecology of flies. Full article

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14 pages, 1553 KiB

Open AccessTechnical Note

Lucilia silvarum Meigen (Diptera: Calliphoridae) Is a Primary Colonizer of Domestic Cats (Felis catus)

by Kelly Bagsby and Krystal Hans

Insects 2024, 15(1), 32; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15010032 - 04 Jan 2024

Viewed by 1116

Abstract

Lucilia silvarum Meigen (Diptera: Calliphoridae) is widespread throughout North America and Europe. Described in 1826, this blow fly was quickly associated with myiasis in amphibians, and to date has rarely been reported in carrion. There is limited data regarding the time of colonization [...] Read more.

Lucilia silvarum Meigen (Diptera: Calliphoridae) is widespread throughout North America and Europe. Described in 1826, this blow fly was quickly associated with myiasis in amphibians, and to date has rarely been reported in carrion. There is limited data regarding the time of colonization of animals with fur and the interpretation of this data is difficult due to variation in the animal models used. During an examination of initial insect colonization of cats (Felis catus) with light and dark fur, twelve domestic short-haired cats were placed in cages 15.2 m apart in a grassy field in West Lafayette, Indiana, USA. Eggs from initial oviposition events were collected and reared to identify the colonizing species. Three species of Lucilia (Diptera: Calliphoridae), including L. silvarum, colonized the cats on the initial day of placement. In this study, L. silvarum was the primary colonizer of cats, and this may be the first study where a large number of L. silvarum were collected. Further studies should include development studies on L. silvarum to understand its life history and aid in time of colonization estimations. More work regarding the colonization of furred mammals is needed to further examine L. silvarum as a primary colonizer. Full article

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2023

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12 pages, 4511 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparison of Preference for Chemicals Associated with Fruit Fermentation between Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila suzukii and between Virgin and Mated D. melanogaster

by Hyemin Kim, YeongHo Kim, Gwang Hyun Roh and Young Ho Kim

Insects 2023, 14(4), 382; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14040382 - 14 Apr 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1553

Abstract

Two taxonomically similar Drosophila species, Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila suzukii, are known to have distinct habitats: D. melanogaster is mostly found near overripe and fermented fruits, whereas D. suzukii is attracted to fresh fruits. Since chemical concentrations are typically higher in overripe [...] Read more.

Two taxonomically similar Drosophila species, Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila suzukii, are known to have distinct habitats: D. melanogaster is mostly found near overripe and fermented fruits, whereas D. suzukii is attracted to fresh fruits. Since chemical concentrations are typically higher in overripe and fermented fruits than in fresh fruits, D. melanogaster is hypothesized to be attracted to higher concentrations of volatiles than D. suzukii. Therefore, the chemical preferences of the two flies were compared via Y-tube olfactometer assays and electroantennogram (EAG) experiments using various concentrations of 2-phenylethanol, ethanol, and acetic acid. D. melanogaster exhibited a higher preference for high concentrations of all the chemicals than that of D. suzukii. In particular, since acetic acid is mostly produced at the late stage of fruit fermentation, the EAG signal distance to acetic acid between the two flies was higher than those to 2-phenylethanol and ethanol. This supports the hypothesis that D. melanogaster prefers fermented fruits compared to D. suzukii. When comparing virgin and mated female D. melanogaster, mated females showed a higher preference for high concentrations of chemicals than that of virgin females. In conclusion, high concentrations of volatiles are important attraction factors for mated females seeking appropriate sites for oviposition. Full article

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2022

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11 pages, 1684 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Warm Blood Meal Increases Digestion Rate and Milk Protein Production to Maximize Reproductive Output for the Tsetse Fly, Glossina morsitans

by Joshua B. Benoit, Chloé Lahondère, Geoffrey M. Attardo, Veronika Michalkova, Kennan Oyen, Yanyu Xiao and Serap Aksoy

Insects 2022, 13(11), 997; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13110997 - 31 Oct 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1336

Abstract

The ingestion of blood represents a significant burden that immediately increases water, oxidative, and thermal stress, but provides a significant nutrient source to generate resources necessary for the development of progeny. Thermal stress has been assumed to solely be a negative byproduct that [...] Read more.

The ingestion of blood represents a significant burden that immediately increases water, oxidative, and thermal stress, but provides a significant nutrient source to generate resources necessary for the development of progeny. Thermal stress has been assumed to solely be a negative byproduct that has to be alleviated to prevent stress. Here, we examined if the short thermal bouts incurred during a warm blood meal are beneficial to reproduction. To do so, we examined the duration of pregnancy and milk gland protein expression in the tsetse fly, Glossina morsitans, that consumed a warm or cool blood meal. We noted that an optimal temperature for blood ingestion yielded a reduction in the duration of pregnancy. This decline in the duration of pregnancy is due to increased rate of blood digestion when consuming warm blood. This increased digestion likely provided more energy that leads to increased expression of transcript for milk-associated proteins. The shorter duration of pregnancy is predicted to yield an increase in population growth compared to those that consume cool or above host temperatures. These studies provide evidence that consumption of a warm blood meal is likely beneficial for specific aspects of vector biology. Full article

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20 pages, 2030 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Identification and Characterization of Small RNA Markers of Age in the Blow Fly Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius) (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

by Carl E. Hjelmen, Ye Yuan, Jonathan J. Parrott, Alexander S. McGuane, Satyam P. Srivastav, Amanda C. Purcell, Meaghan L. Pimsler, Sing-Hoi Sze and Aaron M. Tarone

Insects 2022, 13(10), 948; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13100948 - 18 Oct 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1927

Abstract

Blow fly development is important in decomposition ecology, agriculture, and forensics. Much of the impact of these species is from immature samples, thus knowledge of their development is important to enhance or ameliorate their effects. One application of this information is the estimation [...] Read more.

Blow fly development is important in decomposition ecology, agriculture, and forensics. Much of the impact of these species is from immature samples, thus knowledge of their development is important to enhance or ameliorate their effects. One application of this information is the estimation of immature insect age to provide temporal information for death investigations. While traditional markers of age such as stage and size are generally accurate, they lack precision in later developmental stages. We used miRNA sequencing to measure miRNA expression, throughout development, of the secondary screwworm, Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and identified 217 miRNAs present across the samples. Ten were identified to be significantly differentially expressed in larval samples and seventeen were found to be significantly differentially expressed in intrapuparial samples. Twenty-eight miRNAs were identified to be differentially expressed between sexes. Expression patterns of two miRNAs, miR-92b and bantam, were qPCR-validated in intrapuparial samples; these and likely food-derived miRNAs appear to be stable markers of age in C. macellaria. Our results support the use of miRNAs for developmental markers of age and suggest further investigations across species and under a range of abiotic and biotic conditions. Full article

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14 pages, 2412 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Insights into the Antennal Characteristics and Olfactory Strategy of the Endangered Rhino Stomach Bot Fly Gyrostigma rhinocerontis (Diptera: Oestridae)

by Wentian Xu, Xinyu Li, Qike Wang, Chenglin Zhang, Minghai Yang, Tongshan Zhou, Kai Li and Dong Zhang

Insects 2022, 13(10), 889; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13100889 - 29 Sep 2022

Viewed by 1777

Abstract

Gyrostigma rhinocerontis (Diptera: Oestridae) is a rare obligate intestinal parasite of both white and black rhinoceroses, which can induce severe myiasis, cause secondary infection, and lead to enormous economic and scientific loss. Antennae are the main sensory organs of G. rhinocerontis, which [...] Read more.

Gyrostigma rhinocerontis (Diptera: Oestridae) is a rare obligate intestinal parasite of both white and black rhinoceroses, which can induce severe myiasis, cause secondary infection, and lead to enormous economic and scientific loss. Antennae are the main sensory organs of G. rhinocerontis, which may have evolved a series of specialized adaptive structures to facilitate the exploitation of their hosts. Here, we thoroughly examine the antennae of G. rhinocerontis via light and scanning electron microscopy. Only microtrichia and chaetic sensilla were observed on the scape and pedicel, and the latter is enlarged, half-enveloping the postpedicel. Four types of sensilla (trichoid sensilla, basiconic sensilla, coeloconic sensilla, and clavate sensilla) and sensory pits are detected on the postpedicel. A set of coeloconic sensilla and a chaetic sensillum are located on the arista. Distribution, type, size, and ultrastructure of antennal sensilla are presented. The antennae of G. rhinocerontis are the largest among Oestridae species, with the most sensilla and the most sensory pits. These antennal characteristics could be correlated to their adaptation for more sensitive and accurate olfactory organs, used to locate their rare and endangered hosts. Accordingly, this morphological evidence supports that the host is an important driving factor in the diversity of antennal morphology in the bot flies. Full article

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17 pages, 981 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Seasonal Dynamics of Fruit Flies (Diptera: Drosophilidae) in Forests of the European Russia

by Nikolai G. Gornostaev, Alexander B. Ruchin, Mikhail N. Esin and Aleksei M. Kulikov

Insects 2022, 13(8), 751; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13080751 - 20 Aug 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2233

Abstract

(1) Background: Seasonal dynamics of the abundance and species diversity of various insect groups is of great importance for understanding their life cycles; (2) Methods: In our study, Drosophilidae species and their seasonal changes in Mordovia State Nature Reserve were explored. We collected [...] Read more.

(1) Background: Seasonal dynamics of the abundance and species diversity of various insect groups is of great importance for understanding their life cycles; (2) Methods: In our study, Drosophilidae species and their seasonal changes in Mordovia State Nature Reserve were explored. We collected the flies by crown fermental traps in five types of forests (birch, aspen, linden, pine and oak) since May to October in 2019. (3) Results: A total of 4725 individuals belonging to 9 genera and 30 species of drosophilid flies were identified, among them 15 species in 3 genera are new to the Republic of Mordovia. Drosophila obscura and D. histrio were the most abundant species in traps, the other mass species are D. kuntzei, D. testacea, D. phalerata, S. rufifrons, D. bifasciata, A. semivirgo, and L. quinquemaculata. (4) Conclusions: We found three groups of mass species with significant correlation of seasonal dynamics, e.g., D.obscura and D. bifasciata; D. histrio, D. kuntzei, D. phalerata, and D. testacea, and, finally, A. semivirgo and S. rufifrons. Apparently, the similarity observed in the seasonal dynamics of these drosophilid species is influenced at a high degree by their food preferences and rearing sites. Full article

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15 pages, 2109 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Mitogenomics of Flesh Flies: Implications for Phylogeny

by Jin Shang, Wentian Xu, Xiaofang Huang, Dong Zhang, Liping Yan and Thomas Pape

Insects 2022, 13(8), 718; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13080718 - 10 Aug 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1902

Abstract

Flesh flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) represent a rapid radiation belonging to the Calyptratae. With more than 3000 known species, they are extraordinarily diverse in terms of their breeding habits and are therefore of particular importance in human and veterinary medicine, forensics, and ecology. To [...] Read more.

Flesh flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) represent a rapid radiation belonging to the Calyptratae. With more than 3000 known species, they are extraordinarily diverse in terms of their breeding habits and are therefore of particular importance in human and veterinary medicine, forensics, and ecology. To better comprehend the phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary characteristics of the Sarcophagidae, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genomes of five species of flesh flies and performed mitogenomic comparisons amongst the three subfamilies. The mitochondrial genomes match the hypothetical condition of the insect ancestor in terms of gene content and gene arrangement. The evolutionary rates of the subfamilies of Sarcophagidae differ significantly, with Miltogramminae exhibiting a higher rate than the other two subfamilies. The monophyly of the Sarcophagidae and each subfamily is strongly supported by phylogenetic analysis, with the subfamily-level relationship inferred as (Sarcophaginae, (Miltogramminae, Paramacronychiinae)). This study suggests that phylogenetic analysis based on mitochondrial genomes may not be appropriate for rapidly evolving groups such as Miltogramminae and that the third-codon positions could play a considerable role in reconstructing the phylogeny of Sarcophagidae. The protein-coding genes ND2 and ND6 have the potential to be employed as DNA markers for species identification and delimitation in flesh flies. Full article

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19 pages, 5749 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ultrastructure of Antennal Sensory Organs in Nine Flesh Flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae): New Insight into the Definition of Family Sarcophagidae

by Wentian Xu, Genting Liu, Qike Wang, Liping Yan, Xianhui Liu, Xinyu Li, Thomas Pape and Dong Zhang

Insects 2022, 13(7), 602; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13070602 - 30 Jun 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2179

Abstract

The antennae are the main olfactory organ of flies, playing key roles in their survival and the success of all life stages. Antennal ultrastructural morphology has been well described in the representative species of most calyptrate families, yet only a few studies have [...] Read more.

The antennae are the main olfactory organ of flies, playing key roles in their survival and the success of all life stages. Antennal ultrastructural morphology has been well described in the representative species of most calyptrate families, yet only a few studies have focused on Sarcophagidae species, those with ecological and medical relevance. Antennal morphology and the types, shapes, distribution, and density of the antennal sensilla of nine Sarcophagidae species are studied in detail with scanning electron microscopy, including Miltogramminae: Metopia campestris (Fallén) and Mesomelena mesomelaena (Loew), Paramacronychiinae: Agria mihalyii (Rohdendorf & Verves), Wohlfahrtia bella (Macquart), and W. magnifica (Schiner); Sarcophaginae: Sarcophaga (Parasarcophaga) albiceps Meigen, S. (Bercaea) africa (Wiedemann), S. (Boettcherisca) peregrina (Robineau-Desvoidy), and S. (Liosarcophaga) portschinskyi (Rohdendorf), covering all three subfamilies of this family. The morphology of the three segments of the antennae has been described. The scape has only one type of chaetic sensilla, while three subtypes of chaetic sensilla were detected on the pedicel. The postpedicel has four types of sensilla: trichoid sensilla, coeloconic sensilla, clavate sensilla, and three subtypes of basiconic sensilla. Bottle-shaped sensilla were observed in sensory pits on the postpedicel in all nine species. These sensilla have not been discovered in other calyptrate species, suggesting that they are a potential sarcophagid synapomorphy. Full article

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14 pages, 5726 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Phylogenetic Relationships of the Fanniidae within the Muscoid Grade (Diptera: Calyptrata) Based on the Musculature of the Male Terminalia

by Vera S. Sorokina and Olga G. Ovtshinnikova

Insects 2022, 13(2), 210; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13020210 - 18 Feb 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1594

Abstract

The abdominal and pregenital segments and the genitalia were studied in males of Fannia subpellucens (Zetterstedt, 1845), Fannia canicularis (Linnaeus, 1761) and Fannia incisurata (Zetterstedt, 1838). In comparison with the remaining members of the muscoid grade, in addition to the symmetry of the [...] Read more.

The abdominal and pregenital segments and the genitalia were studied in males of Fannia subpellucens (Zetterstedt, 1845), Fannia canicularis (Linnaeus, 1761) and Fannia incisurata (Zetterstedt, 1838). In comparison with the remaining members of the muscoid grade, in addition to the symmetry of the pregenital segments, significant reductions of the sclerites and musculature of the male terminalia have been observed in Fanniidae. The muscular structure of pregenital segments confirms that the fused pregenital ring is syntergosternite VI + VII + VIII. Symmetry and fusion, as well as the lower number of the sclerites and muscles of the pregenital segments and male genitalia of the Fanniidae, can be considered apomorphic character states. The presence of the lateral bacilliform sclerite, as well as the presence and position of the epandrial muscles M 26, three pairs of muscles M 19 and paired muscles M 18, can be considered as a plesiomorphic character state of the Fanniidae. The structure of the sclerites and muscles of the male abdominal segments and terminalia place the Fanniidae at the base of the muscoid grade and Oestroidea, as has been confirmed by recent molecular studies. Full article

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2021

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21 pages, 7229 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Drosophila Lysophospholipase Gene swiss cheese Is Required for Survival and Reproduction

by Pavel A. Melentev, Eduard G. Sharapenkov, Nina V. Surina, Ekaterina A. Ivanova, Elena V. Ryabova and Svetlana V. Sarantseva

Insects 2022, 13(1), 14; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13010014 - 22 Dec 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2748

Abstract

Drosophila melanogaster is one of the most famous insects in biological research. It is widely used to analyse functions of different genes. The phosphatidylcholine lysophospholipase gene swiss cheese was initially shown to be important in the fruit fly nervous system. However, the role [...] Read more.

Drosophila melanogaster is one of the most famous insects in biological research. It is widely used to analyse functions of different genes. The phosphatidylcholine lysophospholipase gene swiss cheese was initially shown to be important in the fruit fly nervous system. However, the role of this gene in non-nervous cell types has not been elucidated yet, and the evolutional explanation for the conservation of its function remains elusive. In this study, we analyse expression pattern and some aspects of the role of the swiss cheese gene in the fitness of Drosophila melanogaster. We describe the spatiotemporal expression of swiss cheese throughout the fly development and analyse the survival and productivity of swiss cheese mutants. We found swiss cheese to be expressed in salivary glands, midgut, Malpighian tubes, adipocytes, and male reproductive system. Dysfunction of swiss cheese results in severe pupae and imago lethality and decline of fertility, which is impressive in males. The latter is accompanied with abnormalities of male locomotor activity and courtship behaviour, accumulation of lipid droplets in testis cyst cells and decrease in spermatozoa motility. These results suggest that normal swiss cheese is important for Drosophila melanogaster fitness due to its necessity for both specimen survival and their reproductive success. Full article

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2020

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16 pages, 4014 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Interpreting Morphological Adaptations Associated with Viviparity in the Tsetse Fly Glossina morsitans (Westwood) by Three-Dimensional Analysis

by Geoffrey M Attardo, Nicole Tam, Dula Parkinson, Lindsey K Mack, Xavier J Zahnle, Joceline Arguellez, Peter Takáč and Anna R Malacrida

Insects 2020, 11(10), 651; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11100651 - 23 Sep 2020

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4818

Abstract

Tsetse flies (genus Glossina), the sole vectors of African trypanosomiasis, are distinct from most other insects, due to dramatic morphological and physiological adaptations required to support their unique biology. These adaptations are driven by demands associated with obligate hematophagy and viviparous reproduction. [...] Read more.

Tsetse flies (genus Glossina), the sole vectors of African trypanosomiasis, are distinct from most other insects, due to dramatic morphological and physiological adaptations required to support their unique biology. These adaptations are driven by demands associated with obligate hematophagy and viviparous reproduction. Obligate viviparity entails intrauterine larval development and the provision of maternal nutrients for the developing larvae. The reduced reproductive capacity/rate associated with this biology results in increased inter- and intra-sexual competition. Here, we use phase contrast microcomputed tomography (pcMicroCT) to analyze morphological adaptations associated with viviparous biology. These include (1) modifications facilitating abdominal distention required during blood feeding and pregnancy, (2) abdominal and uterine musculature adaptations for gestation and parturition of developed larvae, (3) reduced ovarian structure and capacity, (4) structural features of the male-derived spermatophore optimizing semen/sperm delivery and inhibition of insemination by competing males and (5) structural features of the milk gland facilitating nutrient incorporation and transfer into the uterus. Three-dimensional analysis of these features provides unprecedented opportunities for examination and discovery of internal morphological features not possible with traditional microscopy techniques and provides new opportunities for comparative morphological analyses over time and between species. Full article

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