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

Two rare wetland spider species new to Slovakia: Larinia elegans Spassky, 1939 and Tetragnatha reimoseri (Roșca, 1939) (Araneae, Araneidae, Tetragnathidae)

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Two rare wetland spider species new to Slovakia: Larinia elegans Spassky, 1939 and Tetragnatha reimoseri (Roșca, 1939) (Araneae, Araneidae, Tetragnathidae)

Abstract

We report the first Slovak records of Larinia elegans Spassky, 1939 and Tetragnatha reimoseri (Roșca, 1939) based on adult females and a juvenile from wetland habitats in western and southern Slovakia. These findings extend the known Central European ranges for both species. The finding of T. reimoseri adds a new locality within its fragmented European distribution, whereas the record of L. elegans contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of its overall distribution. Diagnostic characters, photographs of specimens, and habitat details are provided to support identification and future monitoring efforts.

Purgat P, Šestáková A, Korenko S, Gajdoš P (2025) Two rare wetland spider species new to Slovakia: Larinia elegans Spassky, 1939 and Tetragnatha reimoseri (Roșca, 1939) (Araneae, Araneidae, Tetragnathidae). Check List 21(6): 1160-1170. https://doi.org/10.15560/21.6.1160