A cluster fly, Pollenia pseudorudis Rognes, 1985 (Diptera: Calliphoridae): Its history and pest status in New Zealand

• Published in: New Zealand journal of zoology Vol. 31; no. 4; pp. 313 - 318
• Main Authors: Heath, A. C. G., Marris, J. W. M., Harris, A. C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 01-01-2004
• Subjects: Calliphoridae; earthworms; household pest; nuisance fly; Pollenia pseudorudis; New Zealand
• ISSN: 0301-4223; 1175-8821
• DOI: 10.1080/03014223.2004.9518384

From its first record of establishment in Auckland in 1984, a Northern Hemisphere cluster fly, Pollenia pseudorudis, can now be found throughout much of New Zealand, creating a nuisance in buildings in autumn as the adult flies seek hibernation sites. From the numbers of enquiries recorded, fly numbers appeared to be far greater during 2002 than in previous years. There were 31 records from North Island localities in 2002 and 17 from Otago and South Canterbury alone, compared with 17 in 2001 from Otago and South Canterbury together. In addition, there were new distributional records for Otago and South Canterbury in 2003. Most records on which our findings are based came from the public, many of whom also sent flies, and we also examined collections from a number of institutions. The disruption of a homestay operation and the suspected contamination of a town water supply were unexpected economic consequences of the fly's behaviour. There are still parts of New Zealand that have not recorded the presence of P. pseudorudis, and its continued spread is likely. The severity of the fly's impact on earthworm populations has yet to be established.