Phorid flies are being used to combat the invasive red imported fire ants. How do phorid flies kill the ants?

A) They are predators of the ants.
B) They produce a poison in their lining which kills the ants when eaten.
C) They are parasitoids that lay their eggs in the ant's body.
D) They compete with the ants for food sources.
E) They kill ant eggs.

Phorid Flies

Phorid flies are small insects known for their distinctive humpbacked appearance and are often found in decaying organic matter.

Parasitoids

Parasitoids are organisms, primarily insects, that lay their eggs on or in the bodies of other organisms (the host), leading to the eventual death of the host post-infestation.

Invasive

An invasive species refers to non-native plants, animals, or pathogens that spread rapidly in new environments, often disrupting local ecosystems and causing harm to native species and habitats.