https://doi.org/10.53964/jmab.2023009

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Journal ofModern Agriculture and Biotechnology
Open Access

ISSN 2788-810X (Online)

MiniReview
Investigation of the Characteristics of the Milichiidae Family (Arthropoda: Insecta:
Diptera)Carlos Henrique Marchiori1*
1*

Department of Biological Science, Instituto Federal Goiano, Goias, Brazil

Correspondence to: Carlos Henrique Marchiori, PhD, Professor, Department of Biological Science,
Instituto Federal Goiano, Rua T-65 No. 1050, Goiânia, Goiás 74230120, Brazil; E-mail: chmarchiori@yahoo.
com.brReceived: August 28, 2022 Revised: October 1, 2022 Accepted: October 26, 2022 Published: April 14, 2023

Abstract
Most Milichiidae species are very small and dark. Details of their biology have not been properly studied.
It is known that the Milichiidae are associated with decomposing plant and animal matter, including
animal and human corpses, a reason that has potential importance in their forensic importance; several
species are myrmecophilous predators, pollinators and phoretic vectors. This journal aimed to investigate
the bioecology, the bionomy, the biography and systematics of the Milichiidae family (Arthropoda:
Insecta: Diptera). The research was carried out based on its systematic aspects and family characteristics.
The review was inventoried from works published in national and international journals.
Keywords: decomposition, kleptoparasites, foresy, forensics entomology
Citation: Marchiori CH. Investigation of the Characteristics of the Milichiidae Family (Arthropoda: Insecta: Diptera). J Mod Agric
Biotechnol, 2023; 2(2): 9. DOI: 10.53964/jmab.2023009.

1 INTRODUCTION
Milichiidae is a family of Diptera Milichiidae Meigen,1830 is a family of acalipteran dipterans (Schizophora
Becher, 1882; Muscomorpha Sharp, 1894) from small
dimensions and by general coloring obscure distributedin all biogeographic regions (Figure 1)[1-3].
1.1 Description
Most species are very small and dark in color, andtheir biological details have not yet been properly
studied (Figures 2-6)[4-6].
1.2 Biology, Ecology, Habitat and Distribution
Geographic
Diptera are attracted feed to the body fluids of the preyor predator and to them as commensals. It has been
better to designate such behavior as kleptoparasitism
if you know very little about the biology of most taxa
that make up the Milichiidae; all groups are associatedwith decomposing plant and animal matter (saprophagy
and coprophagy), including animal and human corpses,
which is why those beans have potential importance intheir forensic role; several species among them havevery specialized ducts, predators are myrmecophiles or
pollinators and a phoretic vector (Figure 7)[7-12].
Kleptoparasitism or commensalism: It is a feeding
form in which one animal deliberately takes food fromanother. This strategy is evolutionarily stable when theft
is less costly than direct feeding, that can mean when

Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). This open-access article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, sharing, adaptation, distribution, and reproduction in any medium,provided the original work is properly cited.

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A

B

C

D

Figure 1. Specimens of Michillidae family. A: Desmometopa
varipalpis Malloch, 1927; B: Genus Leptometopa; C: Genus
Protophormia; D: Genus Milichiella. Source: https://www.
biodiversity4all.org/taxa/329891-Milichiidae

Figure 3. Leptometopa veracildae sp. nov. A: Female
ovipositor, dorsal view; B: Female ovipositor, ventral; C: Wing.
Notes: ce: cercil; rbs: ring of barbed spines; S: sternite; sba:
supranal plates; T: tergite. Source: https://www.scielo.br/j/paz/a/jDjG43B9g9jZyD99cf3Q5LF/?lang=en#

Figure 2. Leptometopa veracildae sp. nov. A: Male sternite
5, ventral view; B: Synsternite 7/8, posterior view; C: Male
genitalia, posterior; D: Male genitalia, lateral view. Notes: ce:
cerci; ep: epandrium; hyp: hypandrium; ph: phallus; phap:
phallapodeme; preg: pregonite; sur: surtylus. Source: https://www.scielo.br/j/paz/a/jDjG43B9g9jZyD99cf3Q5LF/?lang=en#

food is scarce or when it is plentiful.
Phoretic vector: It captures a fly of another species
during flight and lays its eggs in the captured fly’s
abdomen. Captured flies are true vectors for their eggs
and are also called phoretics. The main vectors are thehorn fly, stable fly and housefly.
Definition of forensic flies: The most common arethose called scavengers, because in their larval stage
they feed on the tissues of the corpse until they reach themoment when they take shelter somewhere to complete
their metamorphosis.
Forensic importance: Entomology is a broad anddiverse field of research that includes arthropods that

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Figure 4. Phyllomyza guangxiensis sp. n. (male). 1: Head,lateral view; 2: Wing; 3 Epandrium, cerci, and surstyli, posterior
view; 4: Epandrium, cerci, and surstyli, lateral view. Source:
https://zenodo.org/record/1278060#.Y1Df5XZBxPZinteract with various aspects of life and human activities
and products derived from them, such as food, housing
and construction, health and the environment. Among thedivisions of Entomology, it is in Forensic Entomologythat the interaction between arthropodology and the
judicial system takes place.
It can be said that Forensic Entomology is the sciencethat applies the study of insects and other arthropods
to legal proceedings. It is divided into three main areas
focused on topics that are frequently the subject of
litigation (Figure 8).
The larvae of these insects feed primarily on decaying
plant matter, decaying wood or bark/rind and may bereared from manure or decaying plant materials (Figures

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Figure 5. Neophyllomyza lii Xi & Yang, 2014 (male). 25:
Head, lateral view; 26: Wing; 27: Epandrium, cerci, and surstyli,
posterior view; 28: Epandrium, cerci, and surstyli, lateral view;
29: Genitalia, posterior view (hypandrium; phallapodemic;
subepandrial); 30: Genitalia, lateral view (hypandrium;
phallapodemic; subepandrial). Source: https://zookeys.pensoft.
net/article/36247/zoom/fig/15

9-11)[13-15].
The fly also feeds on other animals, but does not capture
them, so it accompanies the bed bug in order to takeadvantage of the food it kills. The genus Desmometopa
may be kleptoparasites of predatory insects such as Redbots(Heteroptera) and such some spiders such as Homises andNephiles (Figure 12)[15,17-19].
1.3 Taxonomy
The Michillidae family is composed of almost 250
species of small flies, distributed in 19 genera. Como forthem classification schemes there are divergences among
the expert’s group (Figure 13)[20,21].
1.3.1 Subfamily Madizinae
Aldrichiomyza Hendel, 1914, Desmometopa Loew,
1866, Enigmilichia Deeming, 1981 Leptometopa Becker,
1903, Madiza Fallén, 1810, Paramyia Williston, 1897 andStomosis Melander, 1913 (Figure 14A)[22,23].
1.3.2 Subfamily Milichiinae
Eusiphona Coquillett, 1897, Milichia Meigen, 1830,
Milichiella Giglio-Tos, 1895, Pholeomyia Bilimek, 1867
and Ulia Becker, 1907 (Figure 14B).

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Figure 6. Desmometopa leptometopoides Sabrosky, 1983
(Diptera: Milichiidae), Male. External genitalia. A: Ventral
view; B: Lateral view; C: Dorso-lateral (5×); D: Hypandrialcomplex in ventral view (10×); E: Magnification of surstyleand cerci (10×), clarification: KOH 20%; F: Surstyle (South)
magnification (40×), clarification: KOH 20%; G: Hypandrialcomplex in dorsal view; H: Magnification of basiphallus anddistiphalus (40×). Yellow arrows show the basiphallus andred arrows the distiphalus. Notes: Ce: cerci; Ep: epandrium;
Hyp: hypandrium; St: sternuml; Sur: surstylus. Source:
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Figura-3-Desmometopaleptometopoides-Macho-Genitalia-externa-Vista-ventral-Avista_fig2_325722467

1.3.3 Subfamily Phyllomyzinae
Orneomyia Brake, 2004, Costalima Sabrosky, 1953,
Microsimus Aldrich, 1926, Neophyllomyza Melander, 1913,
Paramyioides Papp, 2001, Phyllomyza Fallén, 1810 and
Xenophyllomyza Ozerov, 1992 (Figures 15 and 16)[24-26].
1.4 Objective
The objective of this work is to investigate thebioecology, bionomy, biography and systematics of the
Milichiidae family (Arthropoda: Insecta: Diptera).
2 METHODS
The method used to prepare this mini review was
Marchiori, 2021 methodology[27].
3 STUDIES CONDUCTED AND SELECTED
3.1 Study 1
3.1.1 Family Milichiidae
The Milichiidae are small, elongated, black or silver
flies. The larvae live in decaying plant or animal material.
Some are commensals or predators. Some species areectoparasites of birds.
3.1.2 Subfamily Madizinae
Desmometopa (Platophrymyia) tarsalis Loew, 1866.

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A

B

C

D

E

F

G

Figure 7. Milichia patrizii Hennig, 1952. 1: A Crematogastertricolor Gerstaecker, 1859 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) trail
on an Acacia (Fabaceae); 2: A Milichia sp. into the middle of
the Crematogaster Lund, 1831 trail to pursue an individual
ant. This attempt was unsuccessful, as the ant was able tomove past the fly without stopping; 3: An ant in a successful
attack by grabbing the ant’s antennal club between thepaired basoflagellomeres of its own antennae; 4: An ant in a
successful attack by grabbing the ant’s antennal club between
the paired basoflagellomeres of its own antennae. The ant
crouches down while the fly initiates the gurgitation processby extending its proboscis into the mouthparts of the ant. 5:
General view; 6: An enlargement showing details of the foodexchange interaction. The ant’s antenna is enfolded by thepilose clypeal membrane of the fly’s proboscis. The long hairson the fly’s proboscis likely serve to capture liquids from themouth of the ant; 7: The ant briefly sits motionless following theinteraction; 8: Trophallaxis food-sharing behaviour between
two Crematogaster tricolor Gerstaecker 1859 (Hymenoptera:
Formicidae) nestmates. Sources: Wild & Brake, 2009 andhttps://milichiidae.myspecies.info/category/classification/
milichia-patrizii

Figure 8. Milichiidae attending Rhinocoris bugs mating
as the female feeds. A: Neophyllomyza sp. on bee killed
by ambush bug; B: Freeloader flies (Milichiidae); C and D:
Desmometopa; E, F and G: Milichiidae family. Sources: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Milichiidae_fg01.jpg; https://www.biodiversity4all.org/taxa/329891-Milichiidae; https://bugguide.net/node/view/1145632 and Photo 16193462,(c) Wynand Uys; Photo 16193462, (c) Wynand Uys; Photo
15693329, (c) Magriet b.

Figure 9. Family Milichiidae feeding on organic animal
material. Sources: https://www.biodiversity4all.org/
taxa/329891-Milichiidae

Desmometopa (Platophrymyia) tarsalis Loew, 1866.

Venezuela, Guyana and Ecuador.

Platophrymyia nigra Williston, 1896 [Desmometopa](Figure 17).

Biology: Saprophagous.

Distribution: Asia, Hawaii, USA, Cuba, St. Vincent,Grenada, Barbados, Sta. Lucía, Dominica, Dominican,
Montserrat, Virgenes, Puerto Rico, Bahamas, Jamaica,
Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras,
Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Tobago,

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3.1.3 Subfamily Milichiinae
Milichiella lacteipennis (Loew, 1866) (Figure 18).
Distribution: Dominica, Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica,
Puerto Rico, St. Vincent, Is. Virgins, St. Thomas,
Mexico, Nicaragua (Managua), Costa Rica, Panama,

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Figure 10. A crab spider (top left) that has killed a bullet
ant queen and at least 2 species of small flies (Milichiidae& Phoridae) have arrived to feed from the carcass and/or
lay their eggs. Source: https://www.antwiki.org/wiki/Spiders

Figure 12. Genus Nephila (spider). Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nephila

Figure 13. Leptometopa latipes (Meigen, 1830). Source:
https://www.diptera-info.nl/infusions/checklist/view_family.
php?fam_id=158

Figure 14. Subfamily Madizinae. Sources: https://bugguide.
net/node/view/1210747 and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Milichiidae

Figure 11. Chemical structures of phytosterols identified in
Momordica charantia L. (Cucurbitaceae) fruit and leaves.
Numerous compounds that have been identified in the extractsof M. charantia, including phytosterols, terpenoids, fatty
acids, phenolic compounds, phenolic acids and flavonoids.
the biological effects of M. charantia extracts, including theirantidiabetic, neuroprotective, anti-obesogenic, antimalarial,
antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and allelopathic
activities. Source: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/
Phytochemical-profile-and-biological-activities-of-OliveiraCosta/c1f01cd9b99ad8bcb55149843ba94a28e259e0ce

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Figure 15. Subfamily Phyllomyzinae. Source: http://v3.
boldsystems.org/index.php/Taxbrowser_Taxonpage?taxid=589086

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B

A

C

D

E

F

Figure 16. Wings. A: Myolepta nigritarsis Coe 1957, wing; B:
Myolepta dubia (Fabricius, 1805), wing; C: Hammerschmidtia
ferruginea (Fallén, 1817), wing; D: Brachyopa pilosa Collin,
1939, wing; E: Melanogaster nuda (Macquart, 1829), wing;
F: Dipteran phylogeny. Source: http://drawwing.org/insects/
diptera/milichiidae

Figure 17. Desmometopa. Source: https://species.wikimedia.
org/wiki/Desmometopa

Venezuela, Peru and Brazil.
Collected on: Poaceae: Zea.
3.1.4 Subfamily Phyllomyzinae
Pholeomyia longiseta (Becker, 1907).
Milichia longiseta Becker, 1907 [Paramilichia andRhynchomilichia] (Figure 19).
Distribution: Nicaragua, Paraguay and Argentina.
3.1.5 General Summary
1-Body symmetry: Bilaterally symmetrical.
2-Is eaten by Ictinogomphus rapax (Rambur 1842).
3-Diurnal behavioral circadian rhythm; holometabolous
mode of development; eats Apis mellifera Linnaeus 1758.
4-First appearance 70.59999999999 million yearsago.
5-Habitat: Field.
6-Number of fossil occurrences: 13.
7-Visits flowers of Lavandula stoechas L. (Lamiaceae).
8-Visual system ocelli wing[28-32].

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Figure 18. Milichiella lacteipennis (Loew, 1866). Source:
https://milichiidae.myspecies.info/category/classification/
milichiella-lacteipennis

Figure 19. Milichia longiseta Becker, 1907. Source: https://
milichiidae.myspecies.info/category/classification/milichiellalongiseta

3.2 Study 2
The aim of this study was to report the first recordof Desmometopa leptometopoides Sabrosky, 1983
(Diptera: Milichiidae) for the Neotropical region and
Desmometopa varipalpis Malloch, 1927 for Venezuela(Figure 20).
The aim of this study was to report the first record of
D. leptometopoides for the Neotropical region and D.
varipalpis for Venezuela.
Between May and July 2017, 10 daytime catches(N1=45, N2=210, N3=11, N4=55, N5=43, N6=25,
N7=68, N8=54, N9=23, N10=91) with glass suction
cups, small adult flies. The insects were transported to
the Laboratory of Entomology, Parasitology and Tropical
Medicine National Experimental University Francisco
de Miranda (Figure 21).
Analysis of external and internal morphology of imagos,
especially of 311 copies males, using taxonomic keys
allowed the identification of the species D. leptometopoides

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Figure 20. Desmometopa leptometopoides Sabrosky, 1983
(Diptera: Milichiidae). Source: https://milichiidae.myspecies.
info/category/classification/desmometopa-leptometopoides

Figure 21. Desmometopa varipalpis Malloch, 1927 forVenezuela. Source: https://bugguide.net/node/view/675592(N=309♂; 5♀) and D. varipalpis (N=2♂).
Desmometopa leptometopoides has been reported
on the African continent (Nigeria, South Africa,
Liberia, Cameroon, Ghana and Tunisia) maintained
from mud and debris from swimming pools, and in the
Nearctic Region (Florida, the United State) obtained
and bred to from the fruits of Momordica charantia L.
(Cucurbitaceae) (Figure 22).
Therefore, this appears as the first report of thisspecies of Milichiidae for the Neotropical region andparticularly for the country. In contrast, D. varipalpis
has a wide distribution that covers practically all thezoogeographic zones.

Figure 22. Momordica charantia L. fruit and leaves(Cucurbitaceae). Source: https://academicjournals.org/journal/
AJB/article-abstract/14B9F2057674

Figure 23. Sources of inaccuracy in the estimation of the
post-mortem interval based on insect evidence. Greencircles represent the sources, their size represents importanceof the sources. Sources: https://www.mdpi.com/20754450/12/4/314

species of Desmometopa (e.g. Desmometopa varipalpis)
and others unidentified as part of the cadaverous fauna,
both in humans and animals, so that they are consideredas again that possess a potential to be used in legal
medicine investigations, being able to be used forthe estimation of the Intervals Post Morten (Forensic
Entomology) (Figure 23).
The international trade of tropical fruits appears as theprobable mechanism of expansion of the populations of
D. leptomatotopoides and D. varipalpis, which seem tohave adapted successfully in the Falconian urban semiarid[33,34].

In light of what has been discussed, detailed studies
are needed to quantify the role of Desmometopa taxa as
quality indicators in the dynamics of composting in thebioecological conditions given in Venezuela, especiallyin cities where urban agriculture can represent a viable
alternative for many families.

3.3 Study 3
Desmometopa varipalpis Malloch, 1927, an interesting
species of Diptera common in urban areas. Species of thisfamily are common in cities where they breed in culverts.
They are also common in manure compost. Theirappearance in large numbers in the bases of buildings is
usually an indication that there is a blockage or leak inthe sewage network (Figure 24).

It is important to highlight the findings of someIn truth, in some areas it is more common and it canInnovation Forever Publishing Group

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A

B

A

Figure 24A. Desmometopa sordida (Fallén, 1820). Figure
24B. Desmometopa varipalpis Malloch. A: 1-Foresy exerted
by the species a sordida Fallén; B: 2-Foresy exerted by the
species D. varipalpis. Sources: https://milichiidae.myspecies.
info/category/classification/desmometopa-sordida and https://bugguide.net/node/view/675592

BC
Figure 25. Detail of the adhesive sheet. Source: C. Pradera08-2021

Figure 26. Wing of Desmometopa varipalpis Malloch,
1927. Source: C. Pradera 08-2021.

become a more captured species using an adhesive
sheet of. This is a nice device from Sani trade in which
Desmometopa varipalpis is or more abundant (Figure 25).

Figure 27. Desmometopa varipalpis Malloch, 1927. A and B:Head of D. varipalpis; C: Back tarsi of D. varipalpis. Source: C.
Pradera 08-2021

Description: 1-Wing venation with very visible hairs.
2-Head appears clearly between the eyes, black on a graybackground. 3-Hind legs whose tarsomeres are light andalso the gena are light (Figure 26).

In adults of the Desmometopa genus, a common
relationship with predators such as spiders has been
observed. The spiders are slow at the time of ingesting
their prey and they first have to detach their victims fromthe inside and suck them. These are used by flies to suckfluids from the prey that the spiders have captured. Adults
measure between 2-3mm. The larva develops in 2-3 weeks(Figure 27C)[35].

Its presence in urban areas is due to the fact that thelarva is coprophagous and carnivorous. Therefore, it canbe found in wastewater and manure. It also appears to besaprophagous and can be found in other decaying plants.
In fact, the device for capturing insects was located near acompany dedicated to processing grain (Figure 27A and B).

3.4 Study 4
3.4.1 Genera and Species of Milichiidae in Venezuela.
In Venezuela, knowledge about the Milichiidae
family is very limited, as far as it has been possible
to investigate, only three genera have been reported
Pholeomyia Bilimek, 1867, Milichiella Giglio-Tos, 1895,

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Figure 28. Pholeomyia hurdi Sabrosky, 1959. Source: Hurd
PD Collector.

Figure 29. 1,2-Dimethoxy-4-(2-propenyl)-benzene
Formula: C11H14O2. Semiochemical, Floral Compound um
two components to attract floral agents. Source: https://www.
pherobase.com/database/compound/compounds-index.php

Desmometopa Loew, 1866 and six species, including
Pholeomyia hurdi Sabrosky, 1959, Pholeomyia myopa
Melander, 1913, Pholeomyia politifacies Sabrosky, 1959,
Milichiella lacteipennis Loew, 1866 and Desmometopa
tarsalis Loew, 1866 (Figures 28-30)[36].
3.5 Study 5
The genus Eusiphona Coquillett, 1897, of the
Milichiidae family, is characterized by its long and thinproboscis that, in addition, appears to be geniculate, it
was known only from the Nearctic region. A key to aid
your recognition, with notes on the bionomy of Eusiphonacooperi Sabrosky 1955 was published by Sabrosky in
1955 (Figure 31).
After the publication of the catalog, two specimens ofan unidentified species of Eusiphona from Brazil, werecollected in 1929 and 1937 and two others hunted in Costa
Rica. These findings predate the introduction in Latin
America, from the United State, of Megachile rotundata(Fabricius, 1793) (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae); in
addition, the Brazilian specimens apparently correspond to
the new species, which reinforces the opinion that we arein the presence of a Neotropical form. (Source: Sabtosky
CW. A new species of Eusiphona from the Argentine

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Figure 30. Milichiella lacteipennis Loew, 1866. Source:
Photo taken by I. Brake.

Figure 31. Genus Eusiphona Coquillett, 1897, of the
Milichiidae family. Sources: Photo: P. Brake and https://bugguide.net/node/view/375129/bgpage

Republic. (Diptera, Milichiidae). Rev Museo La Plata,
1982; 13: 1-128) (Figure 32)[37].
3.6 Study 6
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the behavior ofa species of Megachilidae, commonly called “cutting
bees”, was investigated in the Canada de Gomez area,
Santa Fe province, Argentina.
During observations in those years, it was foundthat many of the megachilid nests that were studied
were parasitized with pupae that responded to thecharacteristics of some dipterans. They were found insidethese nests. Once this cell is made, the bee carries pollen
with its scopa which collects from different species offlowers, up to about half of the cell. He then lays an egg
and closes the cell with circular cutouts (Figure 33).
In the first place, it was observed that these dipteranpupae, as mentioned above, were inside these cells,
more precisely between the cuts that constitute them,leaving the interior empty, with remains of excrement
and without the pollen and eggs that had been depositedby the bee. Then, in subsequent observations, the larvae
were found inside the cells feeding on the pollen. There

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Figure 32. Megachile rotundata (Fabricius, 1793)(Hymenoptera: Megachilidae). Source: Pest and Diseases
Image Library.

Figure 33. Megachilidae family (Hymenoptera: Apoidea).
Source: https://genent.cals.ncsu.edu/insect-identification/orderhymenoptera/family-megachilidae

was no doubt that these pupae came from larvae that fed
on pollen, leaving no food for the megachilid larva and,even more, unable to hatch the egg.
The type of interspecific relationship between the
dipteran and the megachilid was thus determined: that ofparasitism. Later, adult females could also be observed
floating around megachilid nests to lay eggs. Possibly,
egg laying occurred when the Megachilidae left the cellwith pollen without completing it, for the next day, asnight had already arrived. These bees do not stay in thenest at night or on rainy days or other inclement weather.
Therefore, the nests are exposed to these dipterans andother natural enemies (Figure 34).
In the first place, it was observed that these dipteranpupae, as mentioned above, were inside these cells,
more precisely between the cuts that constitute them,leaving the interior empty, with remains of excrement
and without the pollen and eggs that had been depositedby the bee. Then, in subsequent observations, the larvae
were found inside the cells feeding on the pollen. There
was no doubt that these pupae came from larvae that fed
on pollen, leaving no food for the megachilid larva and,even more, unable to hatch the egg[38].
The type of interspecific relationship between the

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Figure 34. Costal breaks. hb: Humeral break; sb: Subcostal
break. Longitudinal veins: C: Coast; Sc: Subcosta; R: Radius;
M: Medium; Cu: Cubitus; A: Anal. Crossveins: h: Humeral; r-m:
Radial-medial; bm-cu: Medial-ulnar basal; dm-cu: Medial-ulnar
disc. Cells: br: 1st basal; bm: 2nd basal; dm: disc; cup: cell cup.
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eusiphona_
wing_veins.svg

Figure 35. Pupae of genus Eusiphona. Source: https://
milichiidae.myspecies.info/taxonomy/term/403/media

dipteran and the megachilid was thus determined: that ofparasitism. Later, adult females could also be observed
floating around megachilid nests to lay eggs. Possibly,
egg laying occurred when the Megachilidae left the cellwith pollen without completing it, for the next day, asnight had already arrived. These bees do not stay in thenest at night or on rainy days or other inclement weather.
Therefore, the nests are exposed to these dipterans andother natural enemies (Figure 35).
A systematic observation revealed a Diptera of the
Milichiidae family, of the genus Eusiphona and of thecooperative species, first described by Sabrosky in
1955. Morphological characteristics for these species.
Therefore, it turned out to be a new species of the genus
Eusiphona which he called species Eusiphona vittata,
Sabrosky 1982[38].
4 CONCLUSION
Most Milichiidae species are very small and dark incolor and the details of their biology have not yet been
properly studied. It is known that the Milichiidae areassociated with decomposing plant and animal matter(saprophagy and coprophagy), including animal andhuman corpses, which is why it has potential importancein its forensic importance; several species have very
specialized ducts, predators are myrmecophiles or

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pollinators and a phoretic vector.

[13]

Acknowledgements
I thank the Editor and his working group for publishing
my article in the Journal of Modern Agriculture andBiotechnology.

[14]

Conflicts of Interest
The author declared no conflict of interest.

[15]

Author Contribution
Marchiori CH contributed to the manuscript and approved
the final version.

[16]

[17]

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