Cacoxenus indagator

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Houdini fly
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Diptera
Family:
Drosophilidae
Genus:
Cacoxenus
Species:
C. indagator
Binomial name
Cacoxenus indagator
Loew, 1858[1]

Cacoxenus indagator is a species of fruit fly[1] native to central and southern Europe.[2] It is a kleptoparasite, laying its eggs in the pollen-filled nest cells of mason bees.[3] On account of its ability to break out of those cells once hatched, it is commonly known as the Houdini fly.[4][5]

Cacoxenus indagator at a newly closed nest of Osmia cornuta

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Cacoxenus indagator". NBN Atlas. National Biodiversity Network. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  2. ^ "Enemies of Mason Bees". extension.psu.edu. Retrieved 2025-05-19.
  3. ^ "Houdini fly found in Washington". Washington State Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  4. ^ Natter, Jean R. (10 January 2021). "A new Pest of Mason Bees: The "Houdini" Fly". OSU Metro-area Master Gardener Program. Oregon State University. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  5. ^ Marshall, Michael. "Zoologer: Houdini fly inflates head to break walls". New Scientist. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
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