Megaselia pusilla (Meigen, 1830)

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 : 446

Megaselia pusilla (Meigen, 1830) ( Fig. 3H )

Material examined. 1♂, Rif, Chefchaouen, El Khizana, Oued Ouara ( NPTS), 35°02'27.2"N 5°13'54.7"W, 883 m, 10.iii.2020, SN, leg.: K. Kettani ; 1♂, Rif, Fahs-Anjra, Marj Loua , 35°38'57.4"N 5°35'41.4"W, 372 m, 22.ii.2021, SN, leg.: F.Z. Sliman ; 1♂, Rif, Tétouan, Aïn Lahcen , 35°32'48.5"N 5°33'32.4"W, 313 m, 10.iv.2021, SN, leg.: L. Zouhair ; 1♂, Rif, Chefchaouen, Beni Zid , Ikadjiouen , Oued Ouara ( NPTS), 35°03'35.1"N 5°14'00.9"W, 700 m, 6.v.2021, SN, leg.: K. Kettani ; 1♂, Rif, Chefchaouen, Fifi , Dayat Fifi , 35°02'21.7"N 5°12'43.1"W, 1205 m, 6.v.2021, SN, leg.: K. Kettani ; 2♂♂, High Atlas, Midelt, Source Titaouine ( NPHAO), 32°34'54.2"N 4°46'01.2"W, 1733 m, 24.v.2021, SN, leg.: K. Menouar ; 1♂, Rif, Al Hoceima, Targuist , Beni Bounsar , 34°50'30.944"N 04°25'23.638"W, 1340 m, 1–30.iv.2022, MT, leg.: K. Kettani ; 1♂, Middle Atlas, Fès-Meknès, Taza , Jbel Tazekka ( NPTZ), 34°04'12.0"N 4°10'37.0"W, 1668 m, 15.iii.2023, SN, leg.: F.Z. Sliman.

Distribution. Europe, Asia ( Iran, China), North America ( Schmitz, 1928; Coe, 1956). Morocco (New record).

Habitat. This species has a wide distribution across the northern part of Morocco, mainly in the Rif, the Middle, and High Atlas, where it was captured in a wide variety of habitats, including forest environments composed of mixed oak ( Quercus canariensis , Quercus rotundifolia ), ranging from 372 to 1733 m in altitude, as well as cedar stands and Juniperus thurifera woodlands. It was also collected in wetlands, including peat bogs, mountain springs, and riverbanks, whose banks are lined with diverse shrub and herbaceous stands, including Ampelodesma mauritanica , Arbutus unedo , Cistus monspeliensis , Cytisus triflorus , Erica arborea , Juncus communis , and Nerium oleander ( Figs 4F, 4G , 5D, 5E ).

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).