Neochirosia nuda
(Malloch, 1922)
Neochirosia nuda is a of dung fly in the Scathophagidae. Unlike most members of its family, it is not associated with but instead has been documented as a . The species exhibits a , producing one per year. It has been recorded from the northeastern United States.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Neochirosia nuda: /ˌniː.oʊˈkaɪ.roʊˌsiː.ə ˈnuː.də/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Habitat
Associated with forest understory plants including Maianthemum canadense and Polygonatum pubescens, which serve as larval .
Distribution
Recorded from Vermont, United States. GBIF distribution records indicate presence in the US, with specific documentation from Vermont.
Diet
Larvae are leaf miners of Maianthemum canadense and Polygonatum pubescens. feeding habits have not been documented.
Host Associations
- Maianthemum canadense - larval Leaf mining documented on this plant
- Polygonatum pubescens - larval Leaf mining documented on this plant
Life Cycle
: produces one per year. Specific details of developmental stages and timing are not documented.
Ecological Role
As a , larvae create feeding tunnels within leaf tissue of plants, potentially affecting plant . The ecological significance of this interaction has not been quantified.
Similar Taxa
- Other ScathophagidaeMost members of Scathophagidae are -associated, making N. nuda unusual in its leaf-mining habit on forest understory plants.
More Details
Taxonomic note
The Neochirosia was established by Malloch in 1922 with this as the type. The Scathophagidae (dung flies) is predominantly associated with and decaying organic matter, making the leaf-mining habit of N. nuda exceptional within the family.
Data limitations
This is poorly represented in collections and literature. The 63 iNaturalist observations suggest it may be undercollected rather than genuinely rare, possibly due to its small size and specialized in forest understory.