More than 2200 species of the wild flora and fauna photographed in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico and the surrounding area.
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Flies of Zihuatanejo
ORDER DIPTERA
-Arthropods (Phylum Arthropoda)
-Hexapods (Subphylum Hexapoda)
-Winged and Once-winged Insects (Subclass Pterygota)
-Nematoceran Flies (Suborder Nematocera)
-Gnats and Allies (Infraorder Bibionomorpha)
-Fungus Gnats and Gall Midges (Superfamily Sciaroidea)
-Gall Midges (Subfamily Cecidomyiinae)
-Supertribe Cecidomyiidi
-Genus Ctenodactylomyia
-Sea Grape Gall Midge (Ctenodactylomyia watsoni)
The Sea Grape Gall Midge (Ctenodactylomyia watsoni) is a tiny fly in the family Cecidomyiidae that specializes on the coastal plant commonly known as sea grape (Coccoloba uvifera). Although the adult insect is minute—typically only a few millimeters long and delicate, with narrow wings fringed by fine hairs and long, slender legs—its presence is most easily recognized by the distinctive galls it induces on the leaves of its host. After mating, the female deposits eggs into young sea grape leaves. When the larvae hatch, they begin feeding within the leaf tissue and release chemicals that redirect normal plant growth. This interaction causes the formation of small, rounded galls—often appearing as raised bumps or blister-like swellings on the leaf surface. These galls serve as both food source and shelter, enclosing the larvae in a protected chamber where they develop.
Sea Grape Gall Midge
Ctenodactylomyia watsoni
Description
Ctenodactylomyia watsoni is a tachinid fly in the family Tachinidae. Adults are small to medium-sized, robust flies with the characteristic bristly appearance of many tachinids. The species belongs to a group of parasitoid flies whose identification often relies on detailed features of the head, thorax, abdomen, wing venation, and arrangement of bristles.
Range
Ctenodactylomyia watsoni occurs in the tropical Americas, including Mexico and parts of Central America and northern South America. It can be encountered in the Zihua area.
Habitat
Usually associated with warm, vegetated environments such as tropical forest, forest edges, woodland clearings, scrub, and other areas supporting suitable insect hosts. Adults may rest on foliage or visit flowers while searching for food and potential hosts.
Diet
Adults feed primarily on nectar and other plant-derived liquids. The larvae are parasitoids of other insects, developing within their hosts and eventually killing them. Tachinid larvae commonly parasitize caterpillars and other insect larvae.