''Phortica variegata'' (also known as the "variegated fruit fly") is a species of vinegar fly in the family
Drosophilidae. ''Phortica'' and related fly species are perhaps best known for their behaviour of feeding on the
lacrimal secretions of mammals (mammalian tear duct secretions). As a consequence of this behaviour, ''P. variegata'' can serve as a vector of ''
Thelazia callipaeda
''Thelazia callipaeda'' is a parasitic nematode, and the most common cause of thelaziasis (or eyeworm infestation) in humans, dogs and cats. It was first discovered in the eyes of a dog in China in 1910. By 2000, over 250 human cases had been r ...
'' roundworms.
The species was first described as ''Amiota variegata'' (Fallén, 1823), but has since been clarified as a member of the ''Phortica'' genus.
References
Drosophilidae
{{Drosophilidae-stub