United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service
   

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Attack of the Phorids
Three short video clips show phorid flies as they emerge from eggs, take flight and launch attacks on red imported fire ants. Soon after a female fly stings an ant and inserts an egg, the ant's head falls off and a fly larva emerges from the head.

  • "Flight check": Newly emerged fly prepares to take off and search for a mate (1 min. 29 sec.)
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  • Adult phorid fly emerges from one of a group of decapitated fire ant heads that contain fly larvae (1 min. 36 sec.)
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  • Phorid flies attack fire ants—and are attacked by doomed ants (1 min. 19 sec.)
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Links:

News (May 19, 2004)
Magazine (February 2003)
Video news release (1999)

Want to learn more?
Visit the ARS Areawide Fire Ant Suppression website.

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Last Modified: 11/26/2009