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Photos courtesy Dr. Sanford Porter (2, 3) Scott Bauer (1, 4)

Decapitating Flies. These miniature decapitating flies (Order: Diptera, Family: Phoridae, Genus: Pseudacteon ), also called phorid flies, are naturally occurring enemies of fire ants in South America. There are over 20 different species of phorid flies that attack fire ants in South America. .

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Photos courtesy Dr. Sanford Porter (2, 3) Scott Bauer (1, 4)

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  1. Decapitating Flies These miniature decapitating flies (Order: Diptera, Family: Phoridae, Genus: Pseudacteon), also called phorid flies, are naturally occurring enemies of fire ants in South America. There are over 20 different species of phorid flies that attack fire ants in South America. The female injects an egg into the thorax of the fire ant. When the parasitoid egg hatches, the larva migrates into the fire ant’s head where it feeds on internal tissue. When the larva is ready to pupate, it releases a chemical that causes the fire ant’s head to fall off. The larva will push the ant’s tongue apparatus and mouthparts aside and use the ant head as a pupal case. The fly emerges from the ant head 2-6 weeks later. The fly’s life cycle from egg hatch to adult fly emergence is 5-12 weeks, depending on the environment’s temperature. In Alabama, three species of phorid fly, Pseudacteon tricuspis, Pseudacteon curvatus, and Pseudacteon litoralis, have been released. Pseudacteon tricuspis and Pseudacteon curvatus are established. More releases of different species and biotypes are needed to significantly impact Alabama’s fire ant populations. Photos courtesy Dr. Sanford Porter (2, 3) Scott Bauer (1, 4)

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