Link Link Link

common name: fire ant decapitating flies
Scientific name: Pseudacteon spp. (Insecta: Diptera: Phoridae)

Introduction - Distribution - Description - Biology - Hosts - Biological Control - Selected References

Introduction (Back to Top)

Flies of the genus Pseudacteon are members of the family Phoridae, commonly known as scuttle flies, hump-backed flies, and phorid flies (Disney 1994). Phorid flies in the genus Pseudacteon parasitize several genera of ants including fire ants in the genus Solenopsis (Disney 1994), which includes the invasive red (Solenopsis invicta Buren) and black imported fire ants (Solenopsis richteri Forel). In 1997, Pseudacteon tricuspis Borgmeier was the first species of Pseudacteon fly successfully released as a biological control agent for imported fire ants in the U.S. (Callcott et al. 2011). Five other species, Pseudacteon curvatus Borgmeier, Pseudacteon litoralis Borgmeier, Pseudacteon obtusus Borgmeier, Pseudacteon nocens Borgmeier, and Pseudacteon cultellatus Borgmeier have since been released (Porter and Calcaterra 2013). Eight native Pseudacteon species parasitize native fire ants in the United States (Plowes 2009).

A female phorid fly, Pseudacteon cultellatus Borgmeier. Note the humped-back appearance, external ovipositor, and reduced venation typical of phorid flies

Figure 1. A female phorid fly, Pseudacteon cultellatus Borgmeier. Note the humped-back appearance, external ovipositor, and reduced venation typical of phorid flies. Photograph by Sanford D. Porter, USDA-ARS.

Distribution (Back to Top)

Pseudacteon flies are parasitoids of ants in many genera worldwide (Disney 1994). About two dozen species parasitize native fire ants in South America (Porter and Pesquero 2001). In the United States, the range of introduced species varies according to their rates of expansion and dates of introduction (Drees and Oi 2015). Pseudacteon triscuspis and Pseudacteon curvatus are distributed across most of the southeastern U.S. (Callcott et al. 2011). Pseudacteon litoralis populations are occasionally abundant in Alabama (Porter et al. 2011), as are Pseudaceton nocens in Texas (Plowes et al. 2012). Both species currently have limited but expanding ranges. Pseudacteon obstusus is abundant in a large portion of both Texas and Florida, with smaller established populations in Mississippi and Georgia (Drees and Oi 2015, Plowes et al. 2011, Porter and Calcaterra 2013). Pseudacteon cultellatus is the most recently released species and is established at two sites in Florida (Porter et al. 2013).

Description (Back to Top)

Eggs: Eggs are approximately 130 µm long by 20 µm wide and torpedo-shaped (Zacaro and Porter 2002).

Larvae: Early instars are maggot-like and transparent, becoming broader, flatter, and cloudy-whitish as they mature (Porter 1998).

Pupa: The pupa is opaque and off-white, expanding posteriorly to fill and conform to the host’s head. The first three anterior segments are sclerotized (hardened) and brown in color. A single pair of oppositely positioned respiratory horns extends from behind the sclerotized head region. The puparium is formed within the hollowed-out head of the host ant (Porter 1998).

Adults: Phorid flies are small to very small with a hump-backed appearance and reduced wing venation (Figure 1) (Triplehorn and Johnson 2005). Female Pseudacteon flies have fully developed wings and unique and highly sclerotized external ovipositors (Porter and Pesquero 2001). The ovipositor, an organ used for egg-laying, is different in appearance for each species of Pseudacteon and can be used to distinguish one species from another (Figure 2). Males are sometimes smaller than females.

Ovipositors of released Pseudacteon species: a. Pseudacteon tricuspis Borgmeier, b. Pseudacteon curvatus Borgmeier, c. Pseudacteon litoralis Borgmeier, d. Pseudacteon obtusus Borgmeier, e. Pseudacteon nocens Borgmeier, f. Pseudacteon cultellatus Borgmeier

Figure 2. Ovipositors of released Pseudacteon species: a. Pseudacteon tricuspis Borgmeier, b. Pseudacteon curvatus Borgmeier, c. Pseudacteon litoralis Borgmeier, d. Pseudacteon obtusus Borgmeier, e. Pseudacteon nocens Borgmeier, f. Pseudacteon cultellatus Borgmeier. Photographs by Sanford D. Porter, USDA-ARS.

Biology (Back to Top)

Pseudacteon flies have a unique life history. In fire ant attacking Pseudacteon flies, the mated female will hover over foraging workers (Figure 3) and strike an ant in the thorax with her ovipositor, depositing an egg into the ant’s body (Porter 1998). These strikes are often very fast, occurring in less than a second. After the larva hatches, it moves into the ant’s head and consumes mostly hemolymph until just prior to pupation after the third instar. When the larva is ready to pupate it releases a chemical, likely an enzyme, that degrades the membranes that hold the ant’s exoskeleton together. The larva then consumes the contents of the ant’s head, upon which the head usually falls free of the body (Figure 4). Through a series of repetitive body extensions, the larva forces the deceased ant’s mouthparts off the head, though sometimes they do not completely detach (Figure 6). During pupation, the first three segments of the larva’s body become sclerotized and fuse into a plate. This plate fills the oral cavity where the ant’s mouth parts were previously attached. Within a couple of days, two respiratory structures extend from the sides of the puparium (Figure 5). The adult fly will emerge from the ant’s head 2 to 6 weeks after pupation (Figure 6). The total development time is 4 to 12 weeks, depending on temperature, and time as an adult represents only about 3 to 5 days of this time (Pesquero et al. 1995, Porter et al. 1997, Porter 1998).

An interesting mechanism for sex determination exists in several species of Pseudacteon wherein sex is determined by the size of the head capsule in which pupation occurs. Large ants result in female flies and small ants result in male flies (Morrison et al. 1999).

A female phorid fly, Pseudacteon sp., hovers over a fire ant worker

Figure 3. A female phorid fly, Pseudacteon sp., hovers over a fire ant worker. Photograph by Sanford D. Porter, USDA-ARS.

An ant that has been decapitated as a result of Pseudacteon parasitism

Figure 4. An ant that has been decapitated as a result of Pseudacteon parasitism. Photograph by Sanford D. Porter, USDA-ARS.

Two pupae of a Pseudacteon fly (dorsal and ventral views) next to a pupa still in its host's head. Note correlation of size and shape to ant host, hardened and darkened anterior portion, and respiratory horns

Figure 5. Two pupae of a Pseudacteon fly (dorsal and ventral views) next to a pupa still in its host's head. Note correlation of size and shape to ant host, hardened and darkened anterior portion, and respiratory horns. Photograph by Sanford D. Porter, USDA-ARS.

An adult Pseudacteon litoralis emerges from an ant head

Figure 6. An adult Pseudacteon litoralis emerges from an ant head. Photograph by Sanford D. Porter, USDA-ARS.

Hosts (Back to Top)

Pseudacteon flies released as biological control agents in the United States primarily attack the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, as it is the most prevalent introduced species (Callcott and Collins 1996). Pseudacteon litoralis and Pseudacteon curvatus also will attack black imported fire ants, Solenopsis richteri Buren, , and Solenopsis invicta × Solenopsis richteri hybrids (Callcott et al. 2011, Porter et al. 2011) where they occur. Pseudacteon species that are native to North America will attack native fire ants and ants in other genera (Disney 1994; Plowes et al. 2009). All Pseudacteon species have been observed to be highly host specific, only attacking ants from a single species or a group of closely related species (Porter and Gilbert 2004, Weissflog et al. 2008). Whereas non-parasitic phorid flies often are found near decaying matter, and some species can become household pests, ant-decapitating Pseudacteon flies are not attracted to people or animals (other than ants), decaying matter, carrion, feces, fruits, vegetables, or prepared foods (Porter and Gilbert 2004). Pseudacteon flies will only be found around disturbed fire ant mounds.

Biological Control (Back to Top)

Invasive imported fire ants have been present in the United States since around 1918 (Callcott and Collins 1996). In their native range of South America, fire ant populations are much lower than in the United States. Porter (1998) surmises that this difference in population density is due to the absence of natural enemies in their adventive range. In addition to the direct impacts of parasitism, the presence of Pseudacteon flies has been shown to interrupt fire ant foraging by triggering immediate defensive and evasive behaviors (Porter 1998). The ability of fire ants to recognize Pseudacteon flies and their strong reactions to the presence of the flies strengthened interest in use of Pseudacteon spp. for biological control. Around 1994, efforts to import Pseudacteon flies began with the initiation of two separate research programs; one by the USDA-ARS fire ant research unit in Gainesville, FL and the other at the University of Texas in Austin, TX (Callcott et al. 2011). The first successful release of a Pseudacteon fly occurred in 1997 with the release of Pseudacteon tricuspis in Florida. From 1997 on, USDA-ARS, the University of Texas, and USDA-APHIS in cooperation with 11 states have released six different species of Pseudacteon at numerous sites across the southern US. The biological control of invasive imported fire ants is an ongoing effort that also includes various other parasitoids and pathogens including microsporidians, viruses, and other parasites (Briano et al. 2012).

Selected References (Back to Top)

Authors: Ariane McCorquodale, Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, James P. Cuda, Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, Sanford D. Porter, USDA-ARS, Imported Fire Ant and Household Insect Research Unit, Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, FL.
Photographs: Sanford D. Porter, USDA-ARS, Imported Fire Ant and Household Insect Research Unit, Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, FL.
Web Design: Kay Weigel
Publication Number: EENY-678
Publication Date: April 2017. Reviewed: May 2020.

Copyright University of Florida ~ An Equal Opportunity Institution
Featured Creatures Editor and Coordinator: Dr. Elena Rhodes, University of Florida