First report of scuttle fly, Megaselia scalaris (Loew, 1866) (Diptera: Phoridae) as a facultative endoparasitoid of Bombay locust (Orthoptera)

The present study reports Megaselia scalaris (Loew, 1866) as a facultative endoparasitoid of the Bombaylocust, Patanga cf. succincta (Johannson, 1763) for the first time. This case of parasitism was observed inside theinsect box where the recently collected locust was stored. The life cycle of the scuttle fly, which was studied tillthe adult emergence, is described. The results of this study may help us to understand M. scalaris as the naturalenemy of the Bombay locust. It may also generate fresh concepts for integrated pest management strategies.