The occurrence of megaselia scalaris (loew) (diptera: phoridae) in Saudi Arabia with some aspects on the life history and distribution in Riyadh province

Abstract

Surveys were conducted in four towns in Riyadh province of Saudi Arabia to collect Megaselia<br>sca/aris. A total of 21 males and 208 females were collected between October and December 1985. This<br>is the first report of the occurrence of the species M. Sea/aris (Family Foridae) in Saudi Arabia.<br>Studies on the biology of M. sca/aris were conducted under laboratory conditions at 27°C and 75%<br>RH, and under continuous light. Mean times for development and survival were: egg incubation period<br>14.3 h (91.1 %); larval period for males, 4.6 days and for females 6.3 days, larval survival 89%, pupal<br>period for males 9.7 days and for females 9.8 days; pupal survival 87.2%, adults longevity 12.8 days,<br>days. Fecundity was 420.5 eggs. One gen.eration required 18.5 days.