| Corethrellidae Temporal range: Cretaceous-Recent, 110–0 Ma |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Diptera |
| Suborder: | Nematocera |
| Infraorder: | Culicomorpha |
| Superfamily: | Culicoidea |
| Family: | Corethrellidae |
| Genera | |
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Corethrella Freeman, 1962[1] |
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Corethrellidae is a family of parasitic midges, small flying insects belonging to the Order Diptera, that are commonly known to parasitize frogs. The members of the family are sometimes known as "frog-biting midges". The family currently consists of just two genera, totalling around ninety seven species worldwide. There are several fossil species known. Most extant species are found in the lower latitudes, usually associated around the tropics.[1]
Adult female Corethrella are attracted to the mating calls of male frogs, their chosen host taxa. As obligate external parasites, the midges feed almost-exclusively on the blood of these frogs. Because of this, Corethrella follow typical distribution patterns of external parasites and are restricted to only areas where there are abundant populations of their host frogs. It is most likely that female midges detect their hosts using a specialized organ called a Johnston's organ; This is a collection of sensory cells found on the second antennae segment. There is evidence of host specificity and selection of particular biting sites for some species.[1] Corethrella species have been observed sucking blood from individuals of the tree frog genus Hyla. Specifically, the North American tree frog species Hyla avivoca, Hyla cinerea and Hyla gratiosa were recorded as confirmed corethrellid hosts in a 1977 study.[2]
A few, select species are known vectors of frog-specific species of the parasitic protozoan Trypanosoma. Corethrellid parasitism is thus a recorded cause of trypanosomiasis among host frog populations.[1][3]
The family contains members that date all the way to the lower Cretaceous Period some 110 million years ago. At least one species, Corethrella andersoni has been found in Burmese amber deposits dating from this time.[4]