Male flies with yellow balls - New observations on the eversible vesicles on the postabdomen of male Thaumatomyia notata (Diptera: Chloropidae)

Abstract

The paired eversible vesicles on the postabdomen of male T. notata are likely to play an important role in intraspecific communication and possibly in the notorious aggregation behaviour of these flies at buildings in autumn. The morphological and histological study of these organs provides new evidence supporting the hypothesis that they are pheromone glands. They also constitute a strong optical signal. A detailed survey of these structures could provide the bases for targeted control methods.

Keywords

• the paired eversible vesicles on the postabdomen of male t. notata are likely to play an important role in intraspecific communication and possibly in the notorious aggregation behaviour of these flies at buildings in autumn. the morphological and histological study of these organs provides new evidence supporting the hypothesis that they are pheromone glands. they also constitute a strong optical signal. a detailed survey of these structures could provide the bases for targeted control methods