Colobaea

Zetterstedt, 1837

snail-killing flies

Species Guides

1

Colobaea is a of 15 valid of snail-killing flies in the Sciomyzidae. Larvae of all reared species kill and consume freshwater nonoperculate pulmonate snails, with varying degrees of specialization. The genus occurs in both Palearctic and Nearctic regions.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Colobaea: /kɔloˈbɛə/

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Habitat

Temporary, intermittent, or vernal semiterrestrial situations for C. bifasciella; exposed aquatic environments for other .

Distribution

Palearctic (11 ) and Nearctic (3 species). Distribution records include Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

Diet

Freshwater nonoperculate pulmonate snails.

Host Associations

  • Galba truncatula - laid on shells; larva feeds in single snail
  • Stagnicola palustris - laid on shells; larva feeds in single snail
  • Gyraulus parvus - attacked by C. americana
  • Physa Draparnaud sp. - attacked by C. americana
  • Anisus vortex - attacked by C. pectoralis
  • Bathyomphalus contortus - attacked by C. pectoralis
  • Gyraulus albus - attacked by C. punctata
  • Lymnaea 'peregra' - attacked by C. punctata
  • Planorbarius corneus - attacked by C. punctata
  • Planorbis planorbis - attacked by C. punctata
  • Gyraulus intermixtus - C. deemingi reared on this in laboratory
  • Radix gedrosiana - C. deemingi reared on this in laboratory
  • Anisus spirorbis - C. distincta found in shell in nature

Life Cycle

laid on snail shells (highly specialized C. bifasciella) or on vegetation (less specialized ). Larvae feed in snails; C. bifasciella larvae each use only one host snail, not killing it until shortly before completing development. formed within host snail shells; strongly modified and fitting tightly within host shell in C. bifasciella, less modified in other species.

Behavior

C. bifasciella exhibits highly specialized with calcareous septa formation. Other display less specialized parasitoid--saprophage behavior. Level of puparial modification correlates with degree of specialization.

Ecological Role

agent of freshwater snails; potential value in control of snails involved in trematode transmission.

Tags

Sources and further reading