Megaselia subpleuralis (Wood, 1909)

Sliman, Fatima Zahra, Disney, Ronald Henry Lambert & Kettani, Kawtar, 2025, New records of Megaselia Rondani (Diptera: Phoridae) from Morocco with notes on distribution and habitats, Journal of Insect Biodiversity and Systematics 11 (2), pp. 437-453 : 448

Megaselia subpleuralis (Wood, 1909) ( Fig. 3L )

Material examined. 1♂, Rif , Larache , Tazrout, Adrou ( PNPB), 35°13'32.30"N 05°19'24.35"W, 580 m, 29.iv.2019, SN, leg.: K. Kettani ; 1♂, Rif , Tétouan , Dar Chaoui, Bghaghza, 35°31'17.4"N 05°41'58.2"W, 105 m, 17.iv.2021, SN, leg.: K. Kettani ; 1♂, Rif , Larache , Taida, Oued Tisgriss ( PNPB), 35°21'12"N 05°31'57"W, 501 m, 20.iv.2021, SN, leg.: L. Zouhair ; 1♂, Rif , Chefchaouen , Talassemtane, Bni M'hamed ( NPTS), 35°09'32.1"N 05°07'46.9"W, 1330 m, 10.vi.2021, SN, leg.: L. Zouhair.

Distribution. Europe, Madeira, Asia ( Israel, Iran), North America ( Langourov, 2004, 2010). Morocco (New record).

Habitat. This species seems to inhabit mainly mixed cork oak and fir forests as well as the edges of wetlands and rivers at a wide range of altitudes in the Rif Region ( Figs 4H, 4N , 5F ).

Figures

Figure 3. Species of Megaselia from Morocco. A. M. meconicera (Speiser, 1925); B. M. melanocephala (von Roser, 1840); C. M. parvula Schmitz 1930; D. M. pleuralis (Wood, 1909); E. M. plurispinulosa (Zetterstedt, 1860); F. M. posticata (Strobl, 1898); G. M. pumila (Meigen, 1830); H. M. pusilla (Meigen, 1830); I. M. spinicincta (Wood, 1910); J. M. stichata (Lundbeck, 1920); K. M. subnudipennis (Schmitz, 1919); L. M. subpleuralis (Wood, 1909); M. M. trichorrhoea Schmitz, 1921; N. M. verralli (Wood, 1910); O. M. xanthozona (Strobl, 1892) (Scale bars = 0.5 mm).

Figure 4. Habitats of Moroccan Megascelia. A. Azilane (NPTS); B. El Mkhaled; C. Tazia (PNPB); D. Forest of Maâmora (SBEI); E. Zawya; F. Malaise trap set in Beni Bounsar; G. Oued Ouara; H. Talassemtane (NPTS); I. Amghart; J. Zarka River; K. Sidi Boughaba (SBEI); L. Riba (PNPB); M. Tafoughalt (SBEI); N. Adrou (PNPB); O. Lemtahane (PNPB). (© A., C., F–J., L., O.: K. Kettani; B., D., E., K.: F.Z. Sliman; M.: H. Maamri).

Figure 5. Habitats of Moroccan Megascelia. A. Melloussa; B. Barrage Smir (SBEI); C. Chellal Sghir Akchour (NPTS); D. Dayat Fifi; E. Ikadjiouen; F. Dar Chaoui; G. Azib Tamsoult (NPTB); H. Marj Amlay; I. Jbel Kelti. (© A.: M. Doukale; B.– F., H.: K. Kettani; G.: Y. Fekrani; I.: K. Menouar).