Milichiella
Giglio-Tos, 1895
freeloader flies
Species Guides
3- Milichiella arcuata(freeloader fly)
- Milichiella bisignata(freeloader fly)
- Milichiella lacteipennis(freeloader fly)
Milichiella is a of small flies in the Milichiidae, commonly known as freeloader flies. The genus is in distribution with numerous described from tropical and subtropical regions. Species within this genus are kleptoparasites, attracted to predatory events where they feed on fluids from prey captured by other arthropods such as spiders and assassin bugs. The genus has undergone significant taxonomic revision, with many species described by Brake in 2009.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Milichiella: //mɪlɪˈkjɛlə//
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Identification
Milichiella are small flies typically distinguished from related by combinations of thoracic and abdominal coloration patterns, wing venation, and male genitalia structures. The genus can be separated from Milichia by features of the and . Species-level identification requires examination of microscopic characters including chaetotaxy and genitalic ; keys to regional faunas exist for the Oriental region and Seram Island.
Images
Distribution
; recorded from all major biogeographic regions including the Neotropics, Oriental region, Afrotropics, Palearctic, Nearctic, and Australasia. Specific records include Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Nepal, Argentina, Brazil, and Florida.
Diet
Kleptoparasitic; feed on fluids from prey captured by other arthropods. Documented feeding on stink bugs (Pentatomidae) and leaf-footed bugs (Coreidae) captured by spiders and assassin bugs. Attraction to prey is mediated by chemical cues from defensive secretions of the prey insects.
Behavior
engage in kleptoparasitism, congregating around actively feeding on prey. They have been observed crawling over both the predator and prey to access feeding fluids. Attraction to events is olfactory and specifically tied to components of defensive sprays in pentatomid and coreid . Multiple may coexist at the same predation event; Milichiella species have been documented alongside chloropid flies in this context.
Ecological Role
Kleptoparasite that exploits events by other arthropods; may facilitate mate location through at food sources. The chemical cues used to locate prey may also serve as mate-finding signals in a -dependent fashion.
Similar Taxa
- MilichiaBoth belong to Milichiidae and share kleptoparasitic habits; distinguished by and antennal , with Milichiella having characteristic features of the and .
- Chloropidae (subfamily Oscinellinae)Small flies that occur alongside Milichiella at events and share similar kleptoparasitic ; distinguished by -level characters of wing venation and .