Phortica variegata

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 of mammals (mammalian tear duct secretions).[1] As a consequence of this behaviour, P. variegata can serve as a vector of Thelazia callipaeda roundworms.[2][3]

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

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.


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