Michael Durham Photography

phorid fly with fire ants

a female phorid fly (Pseudacteon obtusus) flies above red imported fire ants (solenopsis invicta) searching for an ant to implant with an egg. She uses the stabbing part of her ovipositor to pierce the thorax and implant the egg. After the egg hatches the larvae migrates to the ant's head, and kills the insect. This type of fire ant is an invasive species imported from South America, and the phorid fly is being introduced to parts of Texas to help control the population of introduced fire ants.

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Filename: fire_ant_phorid_fly_31609PhF-488.jpg
Copyright: Michael Durham
Image Size: 5900x3933 / 6.6MB; www.DurmPhoto.com; Pseudacteon obtusus Red imported fire ant flying parasite insect control introduced species invasive species non-native species parasatoid parasitic fly pest pest control phorid fly phoridae scurge shuttle fly solenopsis invicta texas tiny parasite
Contained in galleries

a female phorid fly (Pseudacteon obtusus) flies above red imported fire ants (solenopsis invicta) searching for an ant to implant with an egg. She uses the stabbing part of her ovipositor to pierce the thorax and implant the egg. After the egg hatches the larvae migrates to the ant's head, and kills the insect. This type of fire ant is an invasive species imported from South America, and the phorid fly is being introduced to parts of Texas to help control the population of introduced fire ants.