On certain Semi-carnivorous Anthomyid Larvae

Abstract

In previous papers one of us (Keilin, 1915, 1917) has shown that among cyclorrhaphous dipterous larvae there is a remarkable correlation between the anatomical structure of the larvae and their mode of life. Although the mode of life of the larvae is in correlation with such anatomical features as thickness and hardness of the body-wall, the development of sensory organs on the head, and the structure of the alimentary canal, it is in the bucco-pharyngeal armature that the most obvious and important adaptations are to be found. The most important of these adaptations may be mentioned briefly. In certain cyclorrhaphous dipterous larvae the ventral wall of the basal sclerite of the bucco-pharyngeal armature has a number of longitudinal ridges projecting into the lumen of the pharynx. These ridges are usually Y-shaped at their free borders, and form a series of longitudinal channels in the ventral region of the pharynx. In other cyclorrhaphous dipterous larvae such ridges are absent and the ventral wall of the pharynx is smooth. This character allows the larvae to be divided into two groups—“all cyclorrhaphous dipterous larvae parasitic on the most diverse animals or on plants, as well as carnivorous larvae, and larvae which suck the blood of mammals, never have ridges in their pharynx; on the contrary, ridges are always present in saprophagous larvae” (Keilin, 1915). All the larvae which are devoid of ridges and are either parasitic, carnivorous, pass their whole life in the uterus of the female, or are phytophagous, may be united into the group of biontophagous; all larvae which have ridges are saprophagous.