Dicrocheles phalaenodectes
| Dicrocheles phalaenodectes | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Subclass: | Acari |
| Order: | Mesostigmata |
| Family: | Laelapidae |
| Genus: | Dicrocheles |
| Species: | D.Phalaenodectes |
| Synonyms | |
|
Myrmonyssus Phalaenodectes Treat 1954[1] | |
Dicrocheles phalaenodectes is a parasitic mite of moths [1][2] which infest the ear of certain species. They are notable in that only one ear is ever colonised, leaving one intact so that the host is still able to detect the sound from hunting bats. This is taken to be an adaptation reducing the 'virulence' of the parasite to avoid its own destruction along with the host.[3]
A population of moths was found in New Zealand in which both ears were parasitised, the local bat population being extinct.[4]
References
- 1 2 Treat,A.E., 1954: A new gamasid inhabiting the tympanic organs of phalaenid moths. J.Parasitol., 40: 619-631., cited in Davies,T.H.1969 N.Z.Entomologist, Volume 4(2), 1969
- ↑ Treat, Asher Eugene (1975) Mites of Moths and Butterflies. Comstock Pub. Assoc. ISBN 978-0801408786
- ↑ Combes, Claude. translated by Isuare de Buron and Vincent A. Connors Parasitism (2001)University of Chicago ISBN 0-226-11446-5
- ↑ Davies,T.H.1969 N.Z.Entomologist, Volume 4(2), 1969
Further reading
- Hoyt,Eric & Shultz,Ted (1999). Insect lives: stories of mystery and romance from a hidden world. ISBN 0-674-00952-5
- http://benthebutterflyguy.blogspot.co.uk/2009/10/trombidiums-dicrocheles-mites-and-their.html
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