First record of Megaselia scalaris (Loew) (Diptera: Phoridae) infesting laboratory stocks of mantids (Parastagmatoptera tessellata, Saussure)

Abstract

We report the first record of Megaselia scalaris (Loew) infesting laboratory stocks of the praying mantis (Parastagmatoptera tessellata, Saussure). M. scalaris, the scuttle fly, is a cosmopolitan species with a broad niche as it performs as detritivore, facultative parasite, and parasitoid. M. scalaris larvae were found feeding inside adult mantids and, when development was completed, pupae were found inside the abdominal cavity and around the body. We discuss the presence of colonies of crickets bred as prey for the mantids as a facilitator of M. scalaris infestation.

Keywords

• scuttle fly
• mantid
• opportunistic parasitoid
• cricket
• laboratory rearing