Overview of the biology of marsh flies (Diptera: Sciomyzidae), with special reference to predators and parasitoids of terrestrial gastropods.

Abstract

A review is presented discussing the evolution, life cycle, taxonomy, diversity and malacophagous predation and parasitism of the marsh flies. It focuses on the effects of the Sciomyzidae as natural biological control agents in the dynamics of terrestrial Gastropoda population. Marsh flies are shown to meet the requirements of a successful biological control agent. It is concluded that these dipterans are significant factors in gastropod population dynamics and provide pest suppression without adverse effects on native nontarget species.

Global diversity of dipteran families (Insecta Diptera) in freshwater (excluding Simulidae, Culicidae, Chironomidae, Tipulidae and Tabanidae)

“…The potential evolution of malacophagy in Diptera, probable origin of Sciomyzidae, their ecological specialisation and generalisation as well as subsequent radiation and some further aspects of sciomyzid evolution are discussed in detail by Knutson & Vala (2002) and Barker et al (2004). The Sciomyzidae probably evolved from a dryomyzid-like ancestor during the Lower Cretaceous.…”

“…According to the cladistic morphoanalysis of the Sciomyzidae presented by Marinoni & Mathis (2000) and Barker et al (2004), Salticella is at the base of the cladogram and it is more closely related to the Sciomyzini than to the Tetanocerini. Also the monophyly of both tribes of Sciomyzinae was confirmed but Eutrichomelina (NT) was transferred from the Sciomyzini to the Tetanocerini.…”

“…The most recent review of Sciomyzidae as biological control agents are those of Barker et al (2004) and Knutson & Vala (2006).…”

“…Information on the development, food preference, ecology, behaviour and biology of Sciomyzidae is unusually rich. In the last 50 years several hundreds of specialized papers and comprehensive reviews have been published, including cladistic analyses of the family (Marinoni & Mathis, 2000;Barker et al, 2004) and evolutionary scenario based on a revised classification of behavioural groups (Knutson & Vala, 2002). Special papers dealing with morphology and biology of immature stages were summarized by e.g.…”

“…Special papers dealing with morphology and biology of immature stages were summarized by e.g. Berg & Knutson (1978), Knutson & Vala (2002) and Barker et al (2004) and comprehensive information devoted particularly to regional aquatic forms was given by Knutson (1981-Neotropical Region, 1982 America and West Indies), Rivosecchi (1984-Italy), Rozkošný (1997b, Knutson & Ghorpadé (2004-Oriental Region) and Sueyoshi (2005-Japan).…”