Megaselia verralli (Wood, 1910)

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 : 449

Megaselia verralli (Wood, 1910) ( Fig. 3N )

Material examined. 5♂♂, Rif , Larache , Tazia, Dayat Tazia ( PNPB), 35°20'52.0"N 5°33'12.0"W, 733 m, 21.v.–6.vi.2016, MT, leg.: K. Kettani ; 2♂♂, Rif , Larache , Beni Arouss, Marabout My Abdesalam ( PNPB), 35°19'02.0"N 5°30'25.0"W, 1283 m, 26.v.2017, SN, leg.: K. Kettani ; 1♂, Rif , Chefchaouen , Akchour, Chellal Sghir ( NPTS), 35°14'39.8"N 5°09'48.9"W, 450 m, 7.vi.–14.vii.2017, MT, leg.: K. Kettani ; 2♂♂, Rif , Jbel Kelti , Douar Adder, Oued Tanina, 35°20'45.5"N 5°19'01.7"W, 1195 m, 22.iv.2021, SN, leg.: K. Menouar & L. Zouhair.

Distribution. Europe, Canary Islands, Asia ( Israel, Iran) (Namaki Khameneh et al., 2019; Langourov, 2021). Morocco (New record).

Habitat. This species was mainly found around wetlands in forest environments, at the edge of a pond bordered by Quercus suber trees and along the riverbank of watercourses bordered by Arbutus unedo , Quercus rotundifolia , Laurus nobilis , Nerium oleander , Pistacia lentiscus and Tetraclinis articulata . It was also collected from a dense mixed oak forest stand ( Quercus canariensis , Quercus suber ) ( Figs 4C , 5C, 5I ).

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).