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

Aporus (Aporus) niger (Cresson), a seclusive spider wasp (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae: Pompilinae: Aporini) from eastern North America

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Aporus (Aporus) niger (Cresson), a seclusive spider wasp (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae: Pompilinae: Aporini)  from eastern North America

Abstract

There is no host or nesting information for Aporus (Aporus) niger (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae: Pompilinae: Aporini). Wasps in the tribe Aporini and, specifically, the genus Aporus Spinola capture only mygalomorph spiders (Araneae: Mygalomorphae). Purse-web spiders of the genus Sphodros Walckenaer (Araneae: Mygalomorphae: Atypidae) are the most likely host spiders of A. (A.) niger based on Aporus-Mygalomorphae parasitoid-host relationship, Aporus comparative morphology, geographic and habitat sympatry, seasonal synchrony, abundance, and retreat confinement. Aporus niger is the only aporine wasp in Wisconsin, lower Michigan, and southern Ontario. Sphodros niger is the only mygalomorph spider in Wisconsin, lower Michigan, and southern Ontario, except for the Antrodiaetus unicolor complex (Antrodiaetidae) in the vicinity of Ann Arbor, MI. Sphodros niger must, therefore, be the host spider species of Aporus niger in Wisconsin, lower Michigan, and southern Ontario.  

Insecta Mundi 2024(1094): December 20, 2024 (1-6), Aporus (Aporus) niger (Cresson), a seclusive spider wasp (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae: Pompilinae: Aporini) from eastern North America.
Frank E. Kurczewski