Pseudacteon
| Pseudacteon | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Clade: | Euarthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Diptera |
| Family: | Phoridae |
| Subfamily: | Metopininae |
| Genus: | Pseudacteon Coquillett, 1907 |
Pseudacteon is a genus of flies in the family Phoridae. There are 110 described species of Pseudacteon fly. They are also known as ant-decapitating flies due to their parasitic larval stage. During the larval stage, where they feed on the ant's hemolymph, muscle and nerve tissue. Eventually, the larvae completely devour the ant's brain, causing it to wander aimlessly for about two weeks.[1] After about two[2] to four[1] weeks, they cause the ant's head to fall off by releasing an enzyme that dissolves the membrane attaching the ant's head to its body. The fly pupates in the detached head capsule, requiring a further two weeks before emerging.
Selected species
Species include:
References
- 1 2 Hanna, Bill (May 12, 2009). "Parasitic flies turn fire ants into zombies". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Archived from the original on May 22, 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-14.
- ↑ "New weapon turns fire ants into headless zombies". San Francisco Chronicle. May 13, 2009. Archived from the original on May 16, 2009. Retrieved May 13, 2009.
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