First record of Megaselia abdita (Schmitz, 1959) (Diptera: Phoridae) infestation in captive tarantulas (Araneae: Theraphosidae

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  First record of Megaselia abdita (Schmitz, 1959) (Diptera: Phoridae) infestation in captive tarantulas (Araneae: Theraphosidae Abstract Flies of the genus Megaselia Rondani, 1856 exhibit exceptional ecological flexibility, with certain species acting as facultative parasites. This study presents the first documented cases of Megaselia abdita (Schmitz, 1959) infesting captive tarantulas (Araneae: Theraphosidae, Ceratogyrus darlingi Pocock, 1897 and Psalmopoeus irminia Saager, 1994) in terrarium settings. Our observations demonstrate that M . abdita colonise artificial habitats and exploit spider hosts similarly to Megaselia scalaris . Citation: Szymański, D.M., Szymański, D., Kłonowski, P. (2026). First record of Megaselia abdita (Schmitz, 1959) (Diptera: Phoridae) infestation in captive tarantulas (Araneae: Theraphosidae). Dipteron, 42, 25-29. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23137389

Fatal Viscerocutaneous Brown Recluse Envenomation With Orbital Compartment Syndrome

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Fatal Viscerocutaneous Brown Recluse Envenomation With Orbital Compartment Syndrome

Abstract

Loxosceles is an arachnid genus comprising several species in the United States, popularly known as brown recluse spiders. The venom is cytotoxic, complex, and has a mixture of many proteins, some of which function as proteases. Envenomation can cause necrotic skin lesions that may become extensive and take many months to heal. Even more rarely, venom may cause systemic effects, leading to widespread hemolysis, coagulopathy, and death. These symptoms typically occur rapidly within 24-48 hours following the bite. We describe a rare case of a 44-year-old male with fatal systemic loxoscelism with orbital compartment syndrome requiring emergent lateral canthotomy and cantholysis.

Meadows J W, Shayesteh N, Crandall E, et al. (May 23, 2024) Fatal Viscerocutaneous Brown Recluse Envenomation With Orbital Compartment Syndrome. Cureus 16(5): e60943. doi:10.7759/cureus.60943