Abstract / Excerpt:

The genus Orthellia is composed of brightly coloured, metallic green to blue, medium-sized to moderately large files. They are usually found in pasturelands and mountainous areas. The adults are mainly attracted to animal excrements including human ordure upon which eggs are laid. They are also attracted to decaying animal matters such as putrifying fish baits. It is doubtful, though, whether the eggs are also laid on such materials.

Members of the genus Morellia are greyish to more or less subshining blackish flies which are on or about animals and their vicities. The adults are partly haematophagous and some members have been incriminated in the transmission of certain bovine diseases (Greenberg, 1973). Though normally without domestic habits, some members have actually been reported to enter homes and, therefore, must be regarded with caution from the point of view of hygiene!

Full Text

Report of species belonging to the Tribe Muscini
(excluding Musca) (Diptera: Muscidae)

The genus Orthellia is composed of brightly coloured, metallic green to blue, medium-sized to moderately large files. They are usually found in pasturelands and mountainous areas. The adults are mainly attracted to animal excrements including human ordure upon which eggs are laid. They are also attracted to decaying animal matters such as putrifying fish baits. It is doubtful, though, whether the eggs are also laid on such materials.

Members of the genus Morellia are greyish to more or less subshining blackish flies which are on or about animals and their vicities. The adults are partly haematophagous and some members have been incriminated in the transmission of certain bovine diseases (Greenberg, 1973). Though normally without domestic habits, some members have actually been reported to enter homes and, therefore, must be regarded with caution from the point of view of hygiene.

Pyreillia species are metallic green, blue to blackish, small to medium-sized flies which feed and breed on animal dung and carrion, and visit flowers. The adults are rarely found in large numbers, although, there has been a report of them occuring as such in high mountain areas.

The genus Rypellia is a relatively small group which formerly was a sub-genus under Dasyphora. It is likewise closely related to the genus Pyrellia. In contrast to their close allies, Rypellia species are generally smaller and the body coloration is largely testaceous instead of metallic. Species belonging to this genus are relatively rare. In fact, this paper records the first species so far found in the Philippines.

The main thrust of this study is to identify the species found in the Philippines and be able to point out localities where they could be possibly found. Some notes on the bionomics of the individual species whenever possible are included and a key to their identification is constructed. Being the first local study on the genera, this paper is aimed to provide the baseline data for further studies along the same line.

This report is the second of a partial result of a taxonomic survey made on he muscoid fly fauna of the Philippines. Previous to this, a report on Musca species was made and had already been submitted for documentation elsewhere.

The specimens used in this study were those of the Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan; BISHOP Museum, Hawaii, and Ateneo de Davao University, Philippines.

Key to the Philippine genera of Tribe Muscini

1.
- Thorax and abdomen with distinct bands or vittae; usually black, brown, or partly orange, non-metallic species
- Thorax and abdomen without distinct bands or vittae; mettalic green, blue to black species.

2.
- Thorax with two broad vittae; arista forming a sharp angle; prostigmals weak or absent; m broadly rounded.
Morellia
- Thorax with four vittae; at least before suture; arista convex, prostigmals well-developed; bend of m sub-angular
Musca

3.
- Suprasquamal ridge with strong tufts of hairs anteriorly and posteriorly
Orthellia
- Suprasquamal ridge bare

4.
- one intra-alar setae; subcostal sclerite with a single black setula; glossy, dark species
Pyrellia (purpureonitens)

- two intra-alar setae; subcostal sclerite with several black setulae, less glossy, partly testaceous species
Rypellia (nr. flavipennis)

Key to the Philippine species of Orthellia

1.
- Pre-sutural dorso-central setae indistinct or absent
- Pre-sutural dorso-central setae strong

2.
- Sternopleurals 1+2
- Sternopleurals 0+1

3.
- Post-sutural intra-alar setae indistinct or absent
Orthellia claripennis
- Post-sutural intra-alar setae strong

4.
- Area between dorso-central and acrostichal with a pre-scuttllar seta; scutellum pointed
Orthellia diffidens
- Area between dorso-central and acrostichal bare; scutellum rounded
Orthellia gavisa

5.
- Midtibia with an antero-dorsal seta
Orthellia indica
- Midtibia without an antero-dorsal seta

6.
- Bend of m gradually angular; wings without bare areas
Orthellia timorensis
- Bend of m angular; wing with a thin bare strip close to fifth
Orthellia coerulifrons

Key to the Philippine species of Morellia

1. Post-sutural dorso-centrai satae four, all strong; squamae dark brown; abdomen largely glossy black and usually without any distinct vitta except on fifth tergite; hindtibia in male with five or more anteroventral setae

Morrellia Nigrisquama

Post-sutural dorso-central setae five butanterior two weak; squamae whitish; abdomen with three apparently shifting vittae, hindtibia in male with two to five anteroventral setae

Morellia hortensia

Records
[Refer to PDF File, pg. 2-5]

1. Orthellia claripennis Malloch
Orthellia claripennis Malloch, 1923, Ann. Mag. nat. Hist., 12 (9):515.
Remarks: No Philippine material available in authors' collections.
Bionomics: According to Emden (1965) the species is attached to human ordure.
Distribution: Oriental. Philippines: (Palawan) (Pont, 1977).

2. Orthellia coerulifrons (Macquart)
Lucilia coeruUfrons Macquart, 1851, Dipt. Exot. Suppl., 4:248.
Ortellia coeruUfrons: Emden, 1965, Fauna of India, Diptera, 7(1 ):127.
Specimens examined: LUZON: Sorsogon: 12M, 12F, Sablayan, Juban, 1-8 II 1972, B.D. Cabrera (TMDU); PALAWAN: 19M, 21F, Dicala, Caruray,12-14 II 1972, B.D. Cabrera (TMDU); 2F, Puerto Princesa, 2 II 1972, B.D. Cabrera (TMDU); MINDANAO: 1M, IF, horse manure, Mt. Talomo 1000 m, 14 VI 1983, 9 IV 1985, F.R. Magpayo (ADDU).
Bionomics: Shinonaga and Kano (1971) associated this species with dung of cattle and water buffaloes in the main island of Okinawa. We do not have information on the habits of specimens collected from Palawan and Luzon, but those of Mindanao were known to occur on horse dung, presumably to feed and breed. Emden (1965), however, identified cow dung as a breeding media.
Distribution; Oriental and S. Palearctic. Philippines (Luzon, Palawan-Balabac Is., Sulu Archipelago: Tawi-Tawi, Mindanao)

3. Orthellia diffidens (Walker)
Musca diffidens Walker, 1957, J. Proc. Linn, Soc. Lond., Zool., 1:26.
Orthellia diffidens: Emden, 1965, Fauna of India, Diptera, 7 (1):132.
Specimens examined: PALAWAN: 1M, Antipolo Beach 1 XI 1975,
H. Kurahashi (TMDU).
Bionomics: Unknown to the present authors.
Distribution: Oriental. Philippines (Mindoro, Palawan-Balabac,
Sulu Archipelago: Tawi-Tawi) (Pont, 1977).

4. Orthellia gavisa (Walker)
Musca (Neomyia) gavisa. Walker, 1859, J. Proc. Linn. Soc., Lond., Zool., 4:138.
Orthellia gavisa: Pont, 1977, Cat. Dipt. Or. Reg., 3:464.
Specimens examined: MINDANAO: Davao: 4M, 4F, horse and chicken manure, Mt. Talomo, 1000 m, 3 IV 1983, 22 V 1983, 14 VI 1983,14X1983,F. R. Magpayo (ADDU, TMDU).
Bionomics: Adults are found in high mountain areas. They have been observed to feed on horse and chicken manure and are suspected to breed on these materials.
Distribution: The species has already been reported in several localities in the Oriental region but this is the first record of this species from the Philippines.

5. Orthellia indica (Robineau-Deavoidy)
Lucilia indica Robineau-Deavoidy, 1830, Mem. pres. div. Sav. Acad. Sci. Inst. Fr., 2:453.
Orthellia indica: Emden, 1965, Fauna of India, Diptera, 7(1): 126Specimens examined: LUZON: Laguna: 3M, 4F. Mt. Makiling, Los Banos(TMDU); IF, nr. Lumbang, Laguna de Bay, 24 x 1975, R. Kano (TMDU);Rizal: 3F, Seashore, Manila, 12 VII 1975, S.B.D. Cabrera (TMDU); 6M. 16F.Montible, 100 m, 24-27 I 1975, S. Shinonaga (TMDU); IF, Puerto Princesa,29 I 1975, S. Shinonaga (TMDU); SAMAR: 2M, IF, Maluio, Tarlac, 14 III1972, B.D. Cabrera (TMDU); IF, Basey, 17-18 II 1975, S. Shinonaga (TMDU);LEYTE: 1 F, Bo. Pitogo, Jardo, IV 1972, B.D. Cabrera (TMDU), IDF, Tacloban.19 II 1975, S. Shinonaga (TMDU); MINDANAO: 3M, 4F, water buff, dung, Mt.Talomo, 1000 m. 23 V 1983, 25 IX 1983, 24 VI 1984, F.R. Magpayo (ADDU, TMDU).
Bionomics: Emden (1965) reported this species from horse and cow dung but we found this also on water buffalo dung. Together with 0. timorensis, they are the most common Orthellia species found associated with animal excrements in lowland pasture areas. Occasionally, the species is seen in the vicinity of households.
Distribution: Oriental, Philippines (Luzon, Palawan, Samar, Leyte, Mindanao)

6. Orthellia lauta (Wiedemann)
Musca lauta Wiedemann, 1830, Aussereurop, zweifl. Insekt., 2:410.
Orthellia lauta: Emden, 1965, Fauna of India, Diptera, 7(1):28.
Specimens examined: LUZON: Laguna: 1M, 7F, Mt. Makiling, 500 rn. Los Barios, 28 II 1975, S. Shinonaga (TMDU); IF, nr Lumbang, Laguna de Bay, 24 x 1975, H Kurahashi (TMDU); Sorsogon: 11M, 26F, Sablayan, 1-8 II 1972, B.D. Cabrera (TMDU); PALAWAN: IF, Dicala, Caruray, 12 II 1972, .D. Cabrera (TMDU); 2M, IF, Montible, 24-27 I 1975, S. Shinonaga (TMDU); 2F, Puerto Princesa, 29 I 1975, S. Shinonaga (TMDU); SAMAR: 1M, IF, Basay, 17-18 II 1975, S. Shinonaga (TMDU); MINDANAO: Davao: 1M, IF, Marfori, Davao City, 7n II 1983, F.R. Magpayo (ADDU); IF, water buff, dung, Mt. Talomo, 1000 m, 29 V 1983, F. R. Magpayo (TMDU); : 1M, Basbas Is., 3 IV 1967, M.D. Delfinado (BISHOP).
Bionomics: Adults are usually found along mountainside pasturelands.They have been collected from water buffalo dung, but have also been reported on cow dung, dead animals, and even on human ordure on which, according to Emden, the larvae live.
Distribution: Widely distributed in Oriental region. Philippines (Luzon, Palawan, Mindanao, Basbas Is.)

7. OrtheUia timorensis (Robineau-Desvoidy)
Lucilia timorensis Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830, Mem. pres. Sav. Acad, Sci. Inst Fr., 2:460.
Lucilia phifippensis Macquart, 1843, Mem. Soc. Sci. Agric. Lille, 1843: 303. N. Syn.
Orthellia timorensis: Pont, 1977, Cat. Dipt. Or. Reg., 3:466.
Specimens examined: LUZON: Laguna: IF, UP Campus, 150 m, Los Banos,21 X 1975, H. Kurahashi (TMDU); IF, Mt. Makiling, 300 m, Los Banos, 22 x1975, H. Kurahashi (TMDU) 1M, 4F, Mt. Makiling, 500 m, Los Banos, 23 x1975, 6-7 I 1976, N. Kurahashi and S. Shinonaga (TMDU); 1M, nr. Lumbang,Laguna de Bay, 24 x 1975, R. Kano (TMDU); Albay: IF, Mt. Mayon, 1200-1800 m, 16 km NW Legaspi, 12 V 1962, H. M. Torrevillas (BISHOP); Sorsogon: 6M, 13F, Sablayan, Juban, 1-8 III 1972, B.D. Cabrera (TMDU); PALAWAN: 2F, Dicala, Caruray, 13 II 1972, B.D. Cabrera (TMDU); IF, Swamp, 10 Km SW Puerto Princesa, 29 x 1975, H. Kurahashi (TMDU);7M, 12F, Hill c, 40 km SW Puerto Princesa, 31 x 1975, H. Kurahashi (TMDU); SAMAR: 53m'79F, Bo. Sta. Cruz, Salcedo, 27 III 1972, B.D. Cabrera (TMDU); 2F. Basey,17-18 II 1975, S. Shinonaga (TMDU); LEYTE: 19M, 17F, Bo. Pitogo, Jardo]1 IV 1972 B.D. Cabrera (TMDU); 3M, 4F, Tacloban, 19 11 1975, S. Shinonaga(TMDU); NEGROS: 1M, Camp Lookout, Valencia, 15 I 1961, H. M. Torre-villas (BISHOP); MINDANAO: 2M, 13F, Mt. Talomo, 1000 m, 29 I 198321-22 V 1983, 17 VII 1983, 15-28 VIII 1983, 11-25 IX 1983 (M on fish baits,'F on fish. Chicken dung, and horse manure), D. Tadena and F. R. Magpayo(TDMU, ADDU); IF, Mt. Apo, 1100 m, 5 VIII 1985, K. Ishikawa (TMDU);Cotabato: IF, Little Mt. Apo, 1 VIII 1978, A. Nakahishiand O. Vata (TMDU);Misamis Or,; 2F, Jungle, Trib. Clarin R., 14 VII 1958, H.E. Milliron (BISHOP);Zamboanga del Norte: 11F, Summit Mt. Malindang, 1290 m, 14-15 VII 1958,H.E. Milliron (BISHOP); IF, Masawan, 1250-1400 m, 15 VII 1958, H.E. Milliron (BISHOP).
Bionomics: The species was reported by Shinonaga and Kano (1971) tooccur on cattle dung is pasturelands and on deer dung and other animal excretain mountainous areas. The same authors mentioned its occurence on humanordure. In the Philippines, adults of O. timorensis are common in mountainareas and lowland pastures. They are attracted to fish baits and have been observed on water buffalo, horse, and chicken dung.
Distribution: Widely distributed in Oriental region, S. Palearcticand PapuanSubregion. Philippines (Luzon, Palawan and Balabac, Is., Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao).

8. Morellia hortensia (Wiedemann)
Musca hortensia Weidemann, 1824, Anal. Ent., 49.
Musca hortulana Weidemann, 1830, Aussereurop, zweifl, Insekt., 2:417.
Morellia hortensia (Weidemann), Stein, Tijdschr. Ent., III, 209; Emden, 1965, Fauna of India, Diptera, 7 (1):108.
Specimens examined: Luzon: Mt. Province: 5M, 5F, Abatan Buguias, 60 km, S. Bontoc, 1800-2000 m, 4 VI 1964, H. M. Torrevillas (BISHOP); Laguna: 3F, Mt. Makiling, Los Banos, 500 m, 28 II 1975, S. Shinonaga (TDMU); 1M, nr. cows, Mt. Makiling, 500 m, Los Banos, 16-17 IV 1985, F. R. Magpayo (TMDU); Cavite: IF, forest c, 600 m, Tagaytay, 6 VI 1975, R. Kano (TDMU); Camarines Sur: 1M, IF, Mt. Iriga, 500-600 m, 31 III 1962, 22 IV 1962, H. M. Torrevillas (BISHOP); IF, Mt. Isarog, 750-850 m, 8-9 V 1963, H.M. Torrevillas (BISHOP); Sorsogon: 3F, Sablayan, Juban, 1-8 II 1972, B.D. Cabrera (TMDU); PALAWAN: IF, Eran Pt., 8 km SW Tarumpitao Pt., 31 XII 1959 -- 4 I 1960. L. W. Quate (BISHOP); 6F, malaise trap, 3 km NE Tinabog, 8-14 V 1962, H. Holtman (BISHOP), 2F, malaise trap, 4 km N San Nicolas, 22 V. 1962, H. Holtman (BISHOP); IF, malaise trap, 6 km W Culion, Culion Is., 15 VI 1962, H. Holtman (BISHOP), 4M, 9F, Dicala, Caruray, 12-14 II  1972, B.D. Cabrera (TMDU), 1M, 19F, Montible, 24-27 I 197B, S. Shinonaga (TDMU); 4F, Puerto Princesa, 29 I 1975, S. Shinonaga (TMDU); NEGROS: 1F, Dumaguete: 4 I 1961, H. M. Torrevillas (BISHOP); SAMAR: 7F, Basey, 17-18 II 1975, S. Shinonaga (TMDU); MINDANAO: Agusan: 2F, nr. water buffalo, Hubang, San Francisco 23 V 1984, F.R. Magpayo (TMDU); Davao: 1F, Tagum, 4 II 1975, S. Shinonaga (TMDU); 1M, IF, water buffalo, Marfori, Davao City, 7 II 1983, 16 V 1983, F.R. Magpayo (TMDU, ADDU);1M, 1F, hatched on cow dung, 12-23 VI 1983, Chua (ADDU); 4F, 22 V 1984 - water buff. dung, 23 V 1984 — nr. water buffalo, 1-4 IV 1985 — fish bait, Marfori, DAvao City, F.R. Magpayo (TMDU); Zamboanga del Sur: IF, in clearing, Zamboanga, 30 VII 1958, H.E. Milliron (BISHOP); 1M, 5-8 km W Zamboanga, 1 VIII 1958, H.E. Milliron (BISHOP); Zamboanga del Norte: IF, 11 km E Sindangan, 20 VIII 1958, H.E. Milliron (BISHOP)
Bionomics: Adults are on or about animals in pasturelands. They feed on sweat but are also able to suck blood by re-opening healing wounds using their strong prestomal teeth. The eggs are normally laid on dung. In a study done in Davao, Philippines, cow and water buffalo dung were found as the favored breeding media. The study likewise, showed dominance of M. hortensia in both media - accounting for 64% to 68% of the total number of flies. Poultry manure has also been identified as a breeding material (Skidmore, 1985).
Distribution: Oriental and Papuan sub-regions. Philippines (Luzon, Palawan, Negros, Mindanao).

9. Morellia nigrisquama Mulloch
Moreilia nigrisquama Malloch, 1928, Ent. Mitt. 17:329.
Specimens examined: LUZON: Camarines Sur: 1M, Mt. Iriga, 900 m, 2 V 1962, H. M. Torrevillas (BISHOP); MINDANAO: DAVAO: 2M, 1F, water buffalo nose, Mt. Talomo, 1000 m, 27 II 1983,13 III 1983, D. Tadena (ADDU); 2F, nr. horse dung, Mt. Talomo, 1000 m, 15 V 1983, 21 V 1983, F.R. Magpayo (ADDU).
Bionomics: Adults are about animals in high mountain areas. It is doubtful whether they are haematophagous, though it is likely that they feed on anima exudates and breed on dung.
Distribution: Burma, Formosa, India, Malaya, Nepal, Sumatra, Thailand(Pont, 1977). Philippines (Luzon: Camarines, Mindanao: Mt. Talomo, Davao)

10. Pyrellia purpureonitens Emden
Pyrellia purpureonitens Emden, 1965, Fauna of India, Diptera, 7 (1);137
Specimens examined: LUZON: Laguna: 1M, IF, Mt. Makiling,500 m Los Banos, 16-17 IV 1985, F.R. Magpayo (TMDU)
Bionomics: Adults occur in semi-forested areas. They are attracted tofish baits and other decaying animal matters in the forest. No single informationon the biology of the larvae is available, but on the generic level the larvae areknown to occur in excrements and carrion upon which they feed (Emden1965).
Distribution: India, Malaya, Thailand, Philippines (Luzon Mindanao).

11. Rypellia sp. (nr. flavipennis Emden)
Rypellia Malloch, 1931, Ann. Mag. nat. Hist., 10(7): 190.
Dasyphora (RypeUia) Flavipennis: Emden, 1965, Fauna of India Diotera, 7(1):147.
Specimens examined: MINDANAO: Zamboanga del Sur: 2M light trap, Lemesahan, 600 m, 7 IX 1958, H. E. Milliron (BISHOP).
Bionomics: Nothing is known to the present authors.
Remarks: The samples we have are very close to R. flavipennis Emden except for a few deviations on infuscations on the part of the thorax and abdomen. Malloch (1932) keyed further Oriental species of Rypellia, but in the absence of the latter, we temporarily base our identification on flavipennis Emden, to which the present species is very closely allied.
Some Notes on the Medical Importance of the Species. The genus Orthellia has, so far, not been reported either as a causative agent or a vector of human oranimal diseases. Studies on this seems to be lacking. Unlike the genus Morellia the Orthellia species are attracted only to dung which they use for feeding and breeding purposes. The adults have never been caught from animal bodies and have very rarely, if ever, been seen inside human dwellings. Because of this, they might be thought of to be of very minor importance to public health. However, the fact that these species hop from dung to dung in the course of their feedingand breeding, there is then the possibility that some of them transfer by mechanical means certain bovine pathogens. Such is possible through contamination ofgrasses upon which the flies alight before ruminants feed on them. Some speciesmay likewise play an important role in the transmission of poultry diseases bvmechanical transfer of pathogens from dung to poultry feeds.
Quite different from the genus Orthellia, Morellia species come in directcontact with animals. They are known to be haematopagous. They also havepredilection for animal exudates such as tears, sweat, and mucous dischargesfrom body openings. Thelaziosis, an eye infection caused by a worm whTchaffects ruminants in Europe, Asia, and Africa; dogs and cats in the UnitedStates and certain parts of Asia; and man in China is transmitted by certain species of Musca and Morellia (Greenberg, 1973). Serious infections by Thelaziasometimes lead to blindness due to the formation of a scar tissue on the surfaceM the eyeball as a result of scratching by the serrated cuticle of the parasite.Other species of Morellia have also been incriminated in cases of bovine mastitis. Though those species are not identified, similarity in habits among Morelliaspecies including those found in Philippines makes every member of this genuspotential carriers of pathogens of related infections mentioned and other important bovine infections as well.
There has not been any study, so far, emphasizing the medical importanceof PyreUia and RypeUia species, but their similarity in habits to Orthellia species,at least in part, may include them among potential vectors of disease-causingorganisms among farm animals.

Summary

Philippine muscoid flies belonging to the Tribe Musciniin the collections ofthe BISHOP MUSEUM are identified and reported together with Philippinematerials in the collections of the Tokyo Medical and Dental University, and representative species from the Ateneo de Davao University, Philippines. Orthelliagavisa, Morellia nigrisquama, and a species of RypeUia closely allied to R. flavipennis Emden are for the first time recorded from the Philippines. Keys to thegenera and species based on the recent findings are given.

Info

Source Journal	Tambara
Journal Volume	Tambara Vol. 3
Authors	Fe Reyes Magpayo, Satoshi Shinonaga, Rokuro Kano
Page Count	4
Place of Publication	Davao City
Original Publication Date	December 1, 1986
Tags	Calypterate Muscoid Flies, Flies, Orthellia, Tribe Miscini

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