Cantacessi, Cinzia, Traversa, Donato, Testini, Gabriella, Lia, Riccardo Paulo, Carfarchia, Claudia, Maca, Jan, and Otranto, Domenico (2008) Molecular identification of Phortica variegata and Phortica semivirgo (Drosophilidae, Steganinae) by PCR-RFLP of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase c subunit I gene. Parasitology Research, 103 (3). pp. 727-730.

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Abstract

[Extract] Flies ranked within the subfamily Steganinae (Diptera, Drosophilidae) often display a zoophilic parasitic behaviour both at larval and/or adult stages (Bächli et al. 2005; Otranto et al. 2008). Although drosophilid flies are commonly known as "fruit flies" as they usually feed and grow on fruit and other vegetable matter, some species have adapted to feed on vertebrate lachrymal secretions, potentially acting as intermediate hosts of Thelazia (Spirurida, Thelaziidae) spp. eyeworms (reviewed by Otranto et al. 2008). Phortica variegata Fallén 1823 has been proven to act as the intermediate host and vector of Thelazia callipaeda that infects the eyes of humans, rabbits and domestic and wild carnivores in Europe (Máca 1977; Otranto et al. 2005, 2006a,b, 2007). Despite recent reports suggesting that P. variegata acts as the main vector for T. callipaeda in Europe, a closely related species, namely Phortica semivirgo Máca, was previously suggested to play a role in the transmission of the nematode in eastern European countries (Máca 1977).

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