Chemical-attraction
Guides
Olcella
frit flies
Olcella is a genus of small frit flies in the family Chloropidae, subfamily Oscinellinae. The genus contains approximately 11 described species with highest diversity in South America, particularly Argentina. Several Nearctic species have been documented engaging in kleptoparasitism, feeding on prey fluids from insects captured by predators such as spiders, assassin bugs, and mantids. Species in this genus possess a long geniculate (elbowed) proboscis that facilitates feeding on exposed fluids without disturbing the predator.
Olcella parva
chloropid fly, frit fly
Olcella parva is a species of frit fly in the family Chloropidae, first described by Adams in 1904 under the basionym Siphonella parva. It belongs to the New World genus Olcella, which exhibits high diversity in South America. The species has been documented engaging in kleptoparasitic behavior, attracted to chemical cues from damaged or preyed-upon insects.
Olcella trigramma
Olcella trigramma is a small fly in the family Chloropidae, known primarily from South America. The genus Olcella is a New World group with high diversity in South America, and this species has been documented as a kleptoparasite, feeding on fluids from prey captured by predatory insects such as assassin bugs and spiders. Like other members of its genus, it possesses a long geniculate proboscis that facilitates feeding on exposed fluids without directly competing with the predator. The species is attracted to chemical cues, particularly defensive compounds released by heteropteran prey such as stink bugs.