The first record of a fly of the family Milichiidae (Diptera) interacting with an ant of the genus Polyrhachis Smith, 1857 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Citation
Yusah K (2014). The first record of a fly of the family Milichiidae (Diptera) interacting with an ant of the genus Polyrhachis Smith, 1857 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Biodiversity Data Journal. Checklist dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/tncbrt accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-07-20.Description
Flies in the family Milichiidae are often myrmecophilic. We document the first record of a fly from this family interacting with an ant of the genus Polyrhachis. In lowland riparian rainforest in Sabah, Malaysia, we observed a female of the genus Milichia following an ant of the species of P. illaudata, and repeatedly attempting to make close contact. Our observation suggests that the dipteran may have been attempting to feed kleptoparasitically from the Polyrhachis worker, since members of this ant genus often feed on liquid carbohydrate-rich food resources. This is the first time an interaction has been observed between a fly of this family and an ant of this widespread old world tropical genus.Taxonomic Coverages
Geographic Coverages
Bibliographic Citations
Contacts
Kalsum Yusahoriginator
position: Dr
Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, 88400 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Kota Kinabalu
MY
email: kalsum.myusah@gmail.com
Kalsum Yusah
metadata author
position: Dr
Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, 88400 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Kota Kinabalu
MY
email: kalsum.myusah@gmail.com
Kalsum Yusah
administrative point of contact
position: Dr
Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, 88400 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Kota Kinabalu
MY
email: kalsum.myusah@gmail.com