The Parasitoid, Verticia fasciventris Causes Morphological and Behavioral Changes in Infected Soldiers of the Fungus-Growing Termite, Macrotermes carbonarius

The larval parasitoid Verticia fasciventris Malloch (Diptera: Calliphoridae) develops in the head of soldiers of the fungus-growing termite Macrotermes carbonarius (Hagen) (Isoptera: Termitidae). Morphological and behavioral changes in the host were evaluated and the termite castes and stages that were parasitized were identified. The larval emergence process is also described and possible mechanisms for the parasitoid fly's entry into the host body are discussed based on qualitative observations. Only a single larva per host was found. The mature larva pupated outside the host's body by exiting between the abdominal cerci. Parasitized soldiers possess a short and square-shaped head capsule, a pair of notably short mandibles, and a pair of 18-segmented antennae. Although parasitized soldiers were statistically less aggressive than healthy soldiers (P < 0.05), they expressed varying levels of aggression. Both minor and major soldiers can be parasitized and based on evidence from presoldiers, parasitization may begin during the precursor stages of soldiers. However, the stage at which parasitism first occurs has not been determined

SPECIES COMPOSITION OF CARRION BLOW FLIES IN NORTHERN THAILAND: ALTITUDE APPRAISAL

Distribution and occurrence of blow flies of forensic importance was performed during 2007 and 2008 in Chiang Mai and Lampang Provinces, northern Thailand. Surveys were conducted in forested areas for 30 minutes using a sweep net to collected flies attracted to a bait. A total of 2,115 blow flies belonging to six genera and 14 species were collected; Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) (44.7%), C. pinguis (Walker) (15.1%), C. chani Kurahashi (9.3%), C. thanomthini Kurahashi & Tumrasvin (0.3%); Achoetandrus rufifacies (Macquart) (10.5%), A. villeneuvi (Patton) (2.2%); Lucilia papuensis Macquart (2.2%), L. porphyrina (Walker) (12.4%), L. sinensis Aubertin (0.7%); Hemipyrellia ligurriens(Wiedemann) (1.3%), H. pulchra(Wiedemann) (0.1%); Hypopygiopsis infumata (Bigot) (0.6%), Hy. tumrasvini Kurahashi (0.2%) and Ceylonomyia nigripes Aubertin (0.4%). Among them, C. megacephala was the predominant species collected, particularly in the summer. The species likely to prevail in highland areas are C. pinguis, C. thanomthini, Hy. tumrasvini, L. papuensis and L. porphyrina

STUDIES ON MEDICALLY IMPORTANT FLIES IN THAILAND. III. Report of Species Belonging to the Genus Musca Linné, Including the Taxonomic Key (Diptera: Muscidae)

Twenty species belonging to the genus Musca Linné are reported from Tailand with taxonomic key. This study is based on the specimens available in the authors\u27 collection and 8 species are the new records from this country. The newly recorded species are Musca interrupta pilifacies, M. lucens, M. fasciata, M. pattoni, M. planiceps, M. xanthomelas, M. bezzii and M. convexifrons

STUDIES ON MEDICALLY IMPORTANT FLIES IN THAILAND V. ON 32 SPECIES BELONGING TO THE SUBFAMILIES MUSCINAE AND STOMOXYINAE INCLUDING THE TAXONOMIC KEYS (DIPTERA: MUSCIDAE)

Flies from different geographical parts of Thailand were collected to study their medical importance as well as making a zoogeographical study. After examination, 32 species of 10 genera, Orthellza, Mitroplatia, Morellia, Pyrellia, Rypellia, Haematobia, Haematobosca, Stygeromyia, Haematostoma and Stomoxys, belonging to Muscidae were identified and these are reported in this paper. Some of these are newly recorded ones from this country. This study is based on the specimens available in the authors’ collection

STUDIES ON MEDICALLY IMPORTANT FLIES IN THAILAND VI. REPORT ON 48 SPECIES OF SARCOPHAGID FLIES, INCLUDING THE TAXONOMIC KEYS (DIPTERA: SARCOPHAGIDAE)

Flies from different geographical parts of Thailand were collected to study their medical importance as well as to make a zoogeographical study. After examination, 48 species of 19 genera, Kanomyia, Hosarcophaga, Blaesoxipha, Bercaea, Boettcherisca, Fengia, Lioproctia, Parasarcophaga, Phallosphaera, Rosellea, Sarcorohdendorfia, Sarcosolomonia, Sinonipponia, Pierretia, Thyrsocnema, Phytosarcophaga, Harpagophalla, Seniorwhitea, and Leucomyia belonging to Sarcophagidae were identified and those are reported in this paper. This study is based on the specimens available in the authors’ collection

STUDIES ON MEDICALLY IMPORTANT FLIES IN THAILAND II. RECORD OF FOUR SPECIES OF LUCILIA ROBINEAU-DESVOIDY (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

As for the genus Lucilia, only one species, Lucilia papuensis Macquart, has been recorded by R. Senior-White et al. in Thailand. During our survey in Thailand in 1975, we found newly 3 more species belonging to the genus Lucilia. These are L. cuprina (Wiedemann), L. porphyrina (Walker) and L. sinensis Aubertin. The female of L. sinensis has never been reported. Therefore, the female genitalia of L. sinensis are illustrated in this paper and compared with those of L. papuensis. The male genitalia of L. sinensis and L. papuensis are also illustrated in this paper

STUDIES ON MEDICALLY IMPORTAN T FLIES IN THAILAND. I. Discovery of Calliphora Species First in Thailand (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

Species of flies, Calliphora vomitoria (Linné) and C. pattoni Aubertin, four for the first time in Thailand are reported, together with detailed illustrations of genitalia. These are known to be Palearctic species, which are commonly found in Europe or northern parts of Asia. These flies were found in Doi Inthanon, the highest mountain in Thailand, which belongs to the Oriental region

STUDIES ON MEDICALLY IMPORTANT FLIES IN THAILAND. IV. Altitudinal Distribution of Flies Belonging to Muscidae and Calliphoridae in Doi Indhanondh Mountain, Chiengmai, in Early Summer Season

The study on the altitudinal distribution of muscid and calliphorid flies was firstly carried out in the Doi Indhanondh mountain in March 1976. Twenty-eight species of muscid and calliphorid flies, belonging to 10 genera, were collected in this study. The calliphorid flies were classified into 7 genera and 19 species (2,442 individuals) and the muscid flies were classified into 3 genera and 9 species (1,061 individuals). The data and figures are shown in this paper