Rhinoleucophenga

Hendel, 1917

Species Guides

Rhinoleucophenga is a of fruit flies in the Drosophilidae, to the New World with highest diversity in Neotropical open environments, particularly Brazil. The genus comprises at least 26 nominal , with recent taxonomic work revealing numerous cryptic species and correcting long-standing misidentifications. One species, R. myrmecophaga, exhibits a remarkable predatory larval stage that exploits -plant mutualisms by trapping ants at extrafloral .

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Rhinoleucophenga: //ˌraɪnoʊˌljuːkoʊˈfɛŋɡə//

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Identification

identification relies heavily on examination of terminalia, particularly spermathecal capsules in females and epandrium in males; external alone is insufficient due to cryptic diversity. COI barcode sequences corroborate morphological distinctions among . R. obesa was long misidentified in Brazil; specimens previously determined as this species have been reassigned to R. cantareira and R. gigantea based on type-series comparison.

Habitat

Neotropical open environments including Cerrado savanna, Caatinga, and Pampa biomes in Brazil. At least one (R. myrmecophaga) is specifically associated with extrafloral of Qualea grandiflora plants in the Cerrado. Sampling methods include fermenting fruit and vegetable baits.

Distribution

New World; primarily Neotropical region with records from Brazil (most diverse), United States (Texas), and Mexico. Brazilian records span multiple biomes: Cerrado, Caatinga, Pampa, and southern Amazonian savanna enclaves. Distribution records for some remain doubtful due to historical misidentifications.

Host Associations

Qualea grandiflora - associated with extrafloral Specific to R. myrmecophaga; larvae use as hunting platforms

Life Cycle

Females lay single adjacent to extrafloral on plants. Eggs hatch after approximately three days. Larvae of at least one construct sticky shelters atop nectaries and are predatory.

Behavior

Larvae of R. myrmecophaga are sit-and-wait that construct sticky shelters on extrafloral , secrete nectar-derived droplets to attract mutualistic ants, and trap them for consumption. This represents the first documented case of a mutualism exploiter using a resource offered by one mutualism partner to attract and consume the other partner. Ants typically die of exhaustion before being consumed; empty remain attached to larval shelters.

Ecological Role

At least one functions as a third-party exploiter of -plant mutualisms, potentially disrupting plant protection services. Presence of R. myrmecophaga larvae reduces ant visitation to Qualea grandiflora plants, resulting in increased leaf damage from herbivores due to diminished ant defense.

Similar Taxa

LeucophengaSimilar name and membership; Rhinoleucophenga distinguished by taxonomic authority and Neotropical
Other Drosophilidae generaRhinoleucophenga require dissection of terminalia for reliable identification; external overlaps with other steganine fruit flies

Misconceptions

R. obesa was long considered widespread in Brazil based on misidentifications of non-; these specimens have been reidentified as R. cantareira, restricting true R. obesa distribution to the United States and Mexico.