Drosophila aglaia is an endangered species of fly from Hawaii. This species is a member of the aglaia subgroup of the picture-wing clade of Hawaiian Drosophilidae.[2] It is only found on the island of Oahu, and has not been observed since 1997, when it was found in Palikea.[1]

Drosophila aglaia
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Diptera
Family: Drosophilidae
Genus: Drosophila
Species:
D. aglaia
Binomial name
Drosophila aglaia
(Hardy, 1965)

Description edit

Drosophila aglaia was described in 1965 by D. Elmo Hardy from specimens collected by O. H. Sweezey from Kilauae in 1917, and by G. B. Mainland from Kaala in 1946.[3] This fly is described as predominantly yellow with brown eyes, three brown stripes on the top of the thorax, and characteristic brown markings on the wings.[4] The abdomen is also brown with two yellow spots. Drosophila kikiko from the island of Kauai is described as nearly identical to D. aglaia.

While originally reported as breeding on the bark and stems of Urera glabra,[5] these records have since been attributed to the species Drosophila kinoole.[6] The actual host plant of D. aglaia is unknown.

Conservation edit

Drosophila aglaia was listed as federally endangered in 2006 along with ten other species of picture-wing Drosophila.[1] Threats to the conservation of D. aglaia include loss-of-habitat, in part due to invasive pigs and goats, as well as introduced predators such as big-headed ants, yellow crazy ants, and yellowjacket wasps.

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Determination of Status for 12 Species of Picture-Wing Flies From the Hawaiian Islands". Federal Register. Fish and Wildlife Service. May 9, 2006. pp. 26835–26852. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  2. ^ Magnacca, Karl N.; Price, Donald K. (2015-11-01). "Rapid adaptive radiation and host plant conservation in the Hawaiian picture wing Drosophila (Diptera: Drosophilidae)". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 92: 226–242. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2015.06.014. ISSN 1055-7903. PMID 26151218.
  3. ^ Hardy, D. Elmo (1965). "Diptera: Cyclorrapha II, Series Schizophora, Section Acalyptera I, Family Drosophilidae". Insects of Hawaii. Vol. 12. The University of Hawaii Press.
  4. ^ "ECOS: Species Profile". ecos.fws.gov. Retrieved 2022-06-23.
  5. ^ Montgomery, S. L. (1975). "Comparative breeding site ecology and the adaptative radiation of picture-winged Drosophila (Diptera: Drosophilidae) in Hawaii". Proceedings of the Hawaiian Entomological Society. ISSN 0073-134X.
  6. ^ Magnacca, Karl N.; Price, Donald K. (2012-02-09). "New species of Hawaiian picture wing Drosophila (Diptera: Drosophilidae), with a key to species". Zootaxa. 3188 (1): 1–30–1–30. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.3188.1.1. ISSN 1175-5334.