Cheese fly: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Species of fly}} |
{{Short description|Species of fly}} |
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{{About|the fly species|the family|Piophilidae}} |
{{About|the fly species|the family|Piophilidae}}{{Speciesbox |
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{{Tone|date=August 2023}} |
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{{Speciesbox |
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| name = Cheese fly |
| name = Cheese fly |
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| image = Piophila casei british entymology detail.jpg |
| image = Piophila casei british entymology detail.jpg |
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| image_caption = ''Piophila casei'' |
| image_caption = ''Illustration of Piophila casei'' |
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| taxon = Piophila casei |
| taxon = Piophila casei |
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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''' ('' |
The '''cheese fly, cheese skipper''', or '''ham skipper''' ('''''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 [[carrion]]. 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|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 4.4–4.5mm long with females slightly larger at 5.0–5.2mm long. The body is primarily a metallic black bronze in colour with two 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 |
Adult male cheese flies are usually 4.4–4.5mm long, with females slightly larger at 5.0–5.2mm long. The body is primarily a metallic black bronze in colour, with two pale yellow [[Iridescence|iridescent]] wings that lie flat upon the fly's [[Abdomen (insect anatomy)|abdomen]] when at rest. The head has short [[Antenna (biology)|antennae]] and red [[Compound eye|compound eyes]]. The legs are yellow-brown and are covered in short spines. |
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The cheese fly larvae are cylindrical and can appear white or |
The cheese fly larvae are cylindrical and can appear white or cream, with black mouthparts. When fully grown, they are 9–10mm long, 1mm wide, and have 13 segments. When disturbed, the larvae can leap 10-12cm by hooking their mouths into a nearby surface and jerking forward - this is believed to be what has led to the name "cheese skippers".<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Lewis |first1=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 |access-date= |website=Featured Creatures Entomology & Nematology}}</ref> |
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== References == |
== References == |
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Revision as of 22:43, 4 March 2024
| Cheese fly | |
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| Illustration of Piophila casei | |
Scientific classification 
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| 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, cheese skipper, or ham skipper (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 carrion. 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 4.4–4.5mm long, with females slightly larger at 5.0–5.2mm long. The body is primarily a metallic black bronze in colour, with two pale yellow iridescent wings that lie flat upon the fly's abdomen when at rest. The head has short antennae and red compound eyes. The legs are yellow-brown and are covered in short spines.
The cheese fly larvae are cylindrical and can appear white or cream, with black mouthparts. When fully grown, they are 9–10mm long, 1mm wide, and have 13 segments. When disturbed, the larvae can leap 10-12cm by hooking their mouths into a nearby surface and jerking forward - this is believed to be what 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.
External links
- Image of Piophila casei Los Angeles County Natural History Museum
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