First record of Megaselia scalaris (Loew, 1866) (Diptera: Phoridae) as a facultative parasite to Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel) at Menoufia Governorate, Egypt

Abstract

During laboratory rearing of black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon in the Experimental Station of Agricultural Research, At Sers Ellyan city, Menoufia governorate, at October 2020 under 25± 2°C and 60± 5% RH conditions, for biological and toxicological studies, it was observed that the most of pupae of the black cutworm, A. ipsilon were destroyed and numerous of small larvae were found alive inside the pupa fluid as a parasite. The small larvae of the parasite were placed in individual glass jars and kept in the same conditions as previously mentioned for observation until pupation process was completed. Emerged adult flies of the parasite from pupae at different stages were collected and placed in glass vials to send to the