Cheese fly: Difference between revisions
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| authority = ([[Carl Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], [[10th edition of Systema Naturae|1758]]) |
| authority = ([[Carl Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], [[10th edition of Systema Naturae|1758]]) |
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The '''cheese fly''' (''[[Piophila]] casei'') is a [[species]] of fly from the |
The '''cheese fly''' (''[[Piophila]] casei'') is a [[species]] of fly from the family [[Piophilidae]] whose [[Maggot|larvae]] are known to [[infestation|infest]] cured meats, smoked or salted fish, cheeses and also [[carrion]]. The [[maggot|larvae]] of this fly are known as cheese skippers or ham skippers due to their ability to launch themselves several inches into the air when alarmed or disturbed. On the [[Mediterranean Sea|Mediterranean]] island of [[Sardinia]], the [[Maggot|larvae]] are intentionally introduced into [[pecorino]] [[cheese]] to produce the characteristic ''[[casu marzu]]''. When consumed, the larvae can survive in the [[intestine]] causing [[enteric]] [[myiasis]].<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Peckenscneider |first1=L.E. |last2=Polorny |first2=C. |last3=Hellwig |first3=C.A. |date=May 17, 1952 |title=Intestinal infestation with maggots of the cheese fly (Piophila casei) |journal=[[JAMA (journal)|JAMA]] |volume=149 |issue=3 |pages=262–263 |doi=10.1001/jama.1952.72930200005011b |PMID=14927333 }}</ref> |
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==Description== |
==Description== |
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Adult male Cheese Flies are usually 4.4 to 4.5mm long with females slightly larger at 5.0 to 5.2 mm long. The body is primarily a metallic black bronze in colour with pale yellow [[Iridescence|iridescent]] wings that lie flat upon the fly's [[Abdomen (insect anatomy)|abdomen]] when at rest. The head has short antennae and compound eyes that are red in colour. The legs can be yellow brown and are covered in short spines. |
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The [[mesonotum]] is finely shagreened, not [[setae|pubescent]] and with three lines of longitudinal [[Chaetotaxy|chaetules]]. "Soies ocellaires écartées l'une de l'autre" [post-vertical orbital [[Seta|bristles]] present and divergent]. The [[Abdomen (insect anatomy)|abdomen]] is elliptical. Thenterior margin of inter ocular space is reddish or orange. Their face is reddish and their cheeks are wide.<ref>Séguy, E. (1934) ''Diptères: Brachycères''. II. ''Muscidae acalypterae, Scatophagidae''. Paris: Éditions Faune de France 28 [http://faunedefrance.org/bibliotheque/docs/E.SEGUY(FdeFr28)Dipt.Brachyceres.pdf Bibliotheque Virtuelle Numerique pdf]</ref> The wings are faintly [[Iridescence|iridescent]] and lie flat upon the fly's [[abdomen]] when at rest. 4mm (0.16 in) long. |
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The Cheese Fly larvae are cylindrical and can appear white or yellowish white with black mouthparts. When fully grown they are 9-10mm long and 1mm wide and the body has 13 segments. When disturbed the larva can leap 4 to five inches by hooking their mouth hooks into a nearby surface and jerking forward. It is this behaviour that has led to the name "cheese skippers".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lewis |first=Caitlin |last2=Kaufman |first2=Phillip |date=January 2010 |editor-last=Gillett-Kaufman |editor-first=Jennifer |title=Cheese Skipper |url=https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/urban/flies/cheese_skipper.htm |url-status=live |access-date= |website=Featured Creatures Entomology & Nematology}}</ref> |
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== References == |
== References == |
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Revision as of 11:26, 14 December 2023
 | This article's tone or style may not reflect the encyclopedic tone used on Wikipedia. (August 2023) |
| Cheese fly | |
|---|---|
| |
| Piophila casei | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Diptera |
| Family: | Piophilidae |
| Genus: | Piophila |
| Species: | P. casei
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| Binomial name | |
| Piophila casei | |
The cheese fly (Piophila casei) is a species of fly from the family Piophilidae whose larvae are known to infest cured meats, smoked or salted fish, cheeses and also carrion. The larvae of this fly are known as cheese skippers or ham skippers due to their ability to launch themselves several inches into the air when alarmed or disturbed. On the Mediterranean island of Sardinia, the larvae are intentionally introduced into pecorino cheese to produce the characteristic casu marzu. When consumed, the larvae can survive in the intestine causing enteric myiasis.[1]
Description
Adult male Cheese Flies are usually 4.4 to 4.5mm long with females slightly larger at 5.0 to 5.2 mm long. The body is primarily a metallic black bronze in colour with pale yellow iridescent wings that lie flat upon the fly's abdomen when at rest. The head has short antennae and compound eyes that are red in colour. The legs can be yellow brown and are covered in short spines.
The Cheese Fly larvae are cylindrical and can appear white or yellowish white with black mouthparts. When fully grown they are 9-10mm long and 1mm wide and the body has 13 segments. When disturbed the larva can leap 4 to five inches by hooking their mouth hooks into a nearby surface and jerking forward. It is this behaviour that has led to the name "cheese skippers".[2]
References
- ^ Peckenscneider, L.E.; Polorny, C.; Hellwig, C.A. (May 17, 1952). "Intestinal infestation with maggots of the cheese fly (Piophila casei)". JAMA. 149 (3): 262–263. doi:10.1001/jama.1952.72930200005011b. PMID 14927333.
- ^ Lewis, Caitlin; Kaufman, Phillip (January 2010). Gillett-Kaufman, Jennifer (ed.). "Cheese Skipper". Featured Creatures Entomology & Nematology.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
External links
- Image of Piophila casei Los Angeles County Natural History Museum
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