Drosophila putrida

Sturtevant, 1916

A temperate North American fruit fly in the Drosophila testacea group, distinguished by its obligate association with mushrooms as both feeding and breeding substrate. The species is notable for its of potent mycotoxins, including α-amanitin, and serves as a for the Howardula aoronymphium. Despite this , studies have found no evidence of behavioral adaptations to avoid or reduce parasite .

Drosophila putrida by (c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Katja Schulz. Used under a CC-BY license.Drosophila testacea with upward-turned presutural seta in focus (orange arrow) by MA Hanson. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Drosophila putrida: //drəˈsɒfɪlə ˈpjuːtrɪdə//

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Identification

Member of the Drosophila testacea group; distinguished from other Drosophila by exclusive mushroom-breeding . Specific morphological distinguishing features from are not documented in available sources.

Images

Habitat

Temperate woodland environments with mushroom availability; breeding and feeding occur exclusively on mushrooms.

Distribution

Temperate central-eastern United States.

Diet

Mushrooms (feeding and breeding substrate exclusively).

Host Associations

  • Howardula aoronymphium - ; highly virulent and at high in some

Behavior

No behavioral avoidance of -infected mushrooms; no avoidance of nematode-infected conspecifics; no preference for ethanol-rich substrates as prophylactic against nematodes.

Ecological Role

Mushroom decomposer; for ; mycotoxin may facilitate competition for mushroom resources.

Similar Taxa

  • Drosophila testacea species group membersShare obligate mushroom-breeding ; D. putrida distinguished by specific geographic range and documented associations
  • Other Drosophila speciesMost breed on fermenting fruit or other substrates rather than mushrooms; D. putrida's exclusive mushroom association is diagnostic

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Sources and further reading