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

Systematic study of the Ageniellini spider wasp genus Machaerothrix Haupt (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae) from Japan and Southeast Asia

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Systematic study of the Ageniellini spider wasp genus Machaerothrix Haupt (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae) from Japan and Southeast Asia

ABSTRACT

A systematic study of Machaerothrix Haupt from Japan and Southeast Asia was conducted. The description of the genus is revised. The female and male of M. tsushimensis natsumiae subsp. n. from Honshu, Japan, the female of M. malaysiensis sp. n. from Malaysia, the male of M. tsushimensis tsushimensis Yasumatsu from Tsushima Is. Japan, and the female of M. quadridentata (Tsuneki) from the Philippines are described for the first time. The female of M. tsushimensis tsushimensis and the male of M. quadridentata are redescribed. A key to all the known species of the genus is presented. The distribution, nesting and social behaviour of the genus are discussed.

Shimizu, A., Kim, J. K., Handa, H., Otsui, K., Yoshimura, J., & Pitts, J. P. (2026). Systematic study of the Ageniellini spider wasp genus Machaerothrix Haupt (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae) from Japan and Southeast Asia. Journal of Natural History, 60(13–16), 763–790. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2026.2627505