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

Ghost sighting: first Southeast Asian record of the ghost spider family Anyphaenidae, describing a new Rathalos species from Java, Indonesia

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Ghost sighting: first Southeast Asian record of the ghost spider family Anyphaenidae, describing a new Rathalos species from Java, Indonesia

ABSTRACT

A new species of bamboo-associated ghost spider, Rathalos inagami Dhiya’ulhaq & Dwikelana sp. nov., is described from Java, Indonesia, based on male and female specimens. The species is diagnosed by distinct genitalic characters, including a four-lobed median apophysis in males and a wide triangular epigynal plate with strongly S-shaped copulatory ducts in females. This constitutes the first record of the family Anyphaenidae and the genus Rathalos from Southeast Asia, thereby extending the known distribution of the group.