Megaselia pleuralis (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 : 445

Megaselia pleuralis (Wood, 1909) ( Fig. 3D )

Material examined. 1♂, Eastern Morocco, Berkane , Beni Snassen, Tafoughalt ( SBEI), 34°48'40.068"N 02°24'30.477"W, 786 m, 12.iv.–22.vi.2021, MT, leg.: H. Maamri & O. Ziane ; 1♂, Rif , Al Hoceima , Targuist, Beni Bounsar, 34°50'30.944"N 04°25'23.638"W, 1340 m, 1.iv.–30.iv.2022, MT, leg.: K. Kettani.

Distribution. Sub-cosmopolitan (Namaki Khameneh et al., 2019; Langourov, 2021). Morocco (New record).

Habitat. This species was collected in mixed oak forests during the spring at middle altitudes ( Figs 4F, 4M ).

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).