01359nas a2200181 4500008004100000245015300041210006900194260001500263300000900278490000600287520076400293653001201057653001301069653001701082100001401099700001401113856005001127 2014 eng d00aThe first record of a fly of the family Milichiidae (Diptera) interacting with an ant of the genus Polyrhachis Smith, 1857 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)0 afirst record of a fly of the family Milichiidae Diptera interact c2014/11/14 a6 pp0 v23 a

Flies in the family Milichiidae are often myrmecophilic. We document the first record of a fly from this family interacting with an ant of the genus Polyrhachis. In lowland riparian rainforest in Sabah, Malaysia, we observed a female of the genus Milichia following an ant of the species of P. illaudata, and repeatedly attempting to make close contact. Our
observation suggests that the dipteran may have been attempting to feed kleptoparasitically from the Polyrhachis worker, since members of this ant genus often feed on liquid carbohydrate-rich food resources. This is the first time an interaction has been observed between a fly of this family and an ant of this widespread old world tropical genus.

10aMalayia10aMilichia10amyrmecophily1 aYusah, KM1 aFayle, TM uhttps://milichiidae.myspecies.info/node/23086