Ormia depleta

Definition

A species of tachinid fly (Diptera: Tachinidae) native to South America that is a specialized parasitoid of mole crickets (genus Scapteriscus). The female fly locates hosts by phonotaxis, orienting to the calling songs of male crickets to deposit larvae near or on the host. It has been introduced to the southeastern United States and elsewhere as a classical biological control agent against invasive mole cricket pests.

Etymology

From Ormia (Greek ormos, "chain" or "necklace," possibly referring to the beaded appearance of some tachinid abdomens) + depleta (Latin, "depleted" or "emptied," the specific epithet established by Wiedemann, 1830).

Example

Ormia depleta was released in Florida during the 1980s to suppress populations of the tawny mole cricket (Scapteriscus vicinus), with establishment and spread monitored by acoustic surveys to detect parasitized calling males.

Synonyms

• Brazilian red-eyed fly

Related Terms

• Tachinidae
• Parasitoid
• Biological control
• phonotaxis
• Scapteriscus
• Mole cricket
• Classical biological control

Usage Notes

The common name "Brazilian red-eyed fly" is sometimes used, though specialists generally prefer the scientific name. The species epithet is sometimes misspelled as "deplecta" in older literature. Not to be confused with Ormia ochracea, a related tachinid that parasitizes field crickets (Teleogryllus, Gryllus) and is a model organism for studies of hearing and host location. The specific host association with Scapteriscus distinguishes O. depleta from other Ormia species.