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Project Noah Nature School
Forcipomyia sp
This is an ectoparasite, preying on arthropods externally as opposed to endoparasites that are within the host. I found nothing beyond the Genus level. These measured about 2 mm in size. They are a cream color and were found attached on the thorax (2) and one on the leg. Unfortunately I didn't even notice them until looking at the pictures on my computer so don't have any close ups of the midges. See the flying stick here: https://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/62...
These parasites were found on a flying stick encountered on an outside wall of a new clinic building in a remote jungle village (365 masl).
Some of these midges suck blood from animals while others prey on insects (Ectoparasites). Thanks to PN's late Andreas Kay for the identification. See his post in the lower reference to the right.
Spotted on Feb 19, 2007
Submitted on Feb 2, 2020
6 Comments
Thanks Brian. I missed you earlier.
Thanks ornithoptera. It is.
very interesting Tukup
Thanks Michael. I quickly scanned my fotos and show 3 examples over 7 years. Two of them were sporting these parasites. Evidently quite common for some reason. It would be interesting to know if ectoparasites can actually kill their host.
Great educational notes on Ectoparasites, Tukup. I wonder if this insect was able to survive the parasite infection.
Very cool spotting Tukup!