Phoretic Association and Facultative Parasitoidism Between Megaselia scalaris and Blowflies, Under Natural Conditions

Abstract

Problem statement: This is the first time that a phoretic association and facultative parasitoidism between Megaselia scalaris and blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) has been reported under natural conditions. Approach: All fly specimens were collected in the mangrove swamp in Itaborai, RJ, Brazil. Results: A total of 291 flies were collected belonging to four (04) species of the family Calliphoridae: Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) (280), Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius) (05), Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann) (05), Chrysomya putoria (Wiedemann) (01) and all had third instar larvae of M. scalaris or had eggs of the Phoridae attached to their bodies. The specimens were separated and the flies, larvae and eggs were then identified. Conclusion/Recommendations: The highest prevalence for the capture of these flies was in the spring. From the study performed we conclude that M. scalaris acting as a facultative parasitoid of insects could be of great significance showing the need to screen laboratories more securely against invasions by M. scalaris.