Megaselia scalaris (Diptera: Phoridae) can live on ripe bananas--a potential health hazard?
Artículo
en Inglés
| IMSEAR
| ID: sea-47495
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
Identification of larvae that inest bananas and investigating its habits.DESIGN:
Laboratory based study.SETTING:
Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo.METHODS:
Bananas brought to the department with a query of maggot infestation were examined and the presence of maggots was confirmed. Maggots were allowed to develop into adults. The larvae and the flies were identified using standard keys.RESULTS:
Megaselia scalaris was identified, the larvae of which infest ripe bananas. Three generations of M scalaris were reared using ripe bananas as the only source of food. Two other banana specimens yielded larvae that eventually grew into adult flies of Bactrocera species.CONCLUSIONS:
In addition to Bactrocera spp. larvae of which are known pests in bananas, M scalaris larvae were detected as pests for the first time. We demonstrated that M scalaris can complete its life-cycle depending on ripe bananas as the only source of food. The vast consumption of bananas and the potential of M scalaris to cause intestinal and wound myiasis in humans make these findings medically important.
Texto completo:
Disponible
Índice:
IMSEAR (Asia Sudoriental)
Asunto principal:
Sri Lanka
/
Musa
/
Dípteros
/
Animales
/
Miasis
Tipo de estudio:
Estudio pronóstico
País/Región como asunto:
Asia
Idioma:
Inglés
Año:
2002
Tipo del documento:
Artículo
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