Lateral view

Australian distribution

Taxonomy

Family: Muscidae

Subfamily: Muscinae

Genus: Hydrotaea Robineau-Desvoidy 1830

Species: chalcogaster (Wiedemann 1824)

 

The third-instar larva was described by Ishijima (1967).

Biology

The larval behaviour of this species is largely unknown, however, it is thought that it may be predacious. Adults have been reared from carcasses, garbage and bird droppings (see Pont, 1973). In Guam, H. chalcogaster has been reared from a variety of decaying organic matter, including rotting vegetation, manure and old carrion (Bohart and Gressitt, 1951).

Distribution

This species is most abundant in the tropical and subtropical northern areas of Australia. It has been recorded in New South Wales, Northern Territory and Queensland.

Relevant Literature

Bohart, G.E. and Gressit, J.L. (1951) Filth-inhabiting flies of Guam.

Ishijima, H. (1967) Revision of the third stage larvae of synanthropic flies of Japan (Diptera: Anthomyiidae, Muscidae, Calliphoridae and Sarcophagidae). Japanese Journal of Sanitary Zoology 18, 47-100.

Pont, A.C. (1973) Studies on Australian Muscidae (Diptera): IV. A revision of the subfamilies Muscinae and Stomoxyinae. Australian Journal of Zoology Supplementary Series 21, 129-296.