Philornis
Encyclopedia
Philornis is a genus
of around 50 species of fly (Diptera
, Muscidae
) from the Americas, mainly South America although two species are found in the southern United States. It is one of two genera where the larvae are parasitic on birds. One species, Philornis downsi
has been accidentally introduced to the Galapagos Islands.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of around 50 species of fly (Diptera
Diptera
Diptera , or true flies, is the order of insects possessing only a single pair of wings on the mesothorax; the metathorax bears a pair of drumstick like structures called the halteres, the remnants of the hind wings. It is a large order, containing an estimated 240,000 species, although under half...
, Muscidae
Muscidae
Muscidae are a family of flies found in the superfamily Muscoidea. The apical segment of the antennae of Muscidae are plumose, and the basal portion is smooth....
) from the Americas, mainly South America although two species are found in the southern United States. It is one of two genera where the larvae are parasitic on birds. One species, Philornis downsi
Philornis downsi
Philornis downsi is a species of fly that was first recorded in Trinidad and Brazil. It has been accidentally introduced to the Galapagos Islands . Adult P. downsi feed on fruit...
has been accidentally introduced to the Galapagos Islands.