N. Mongiardino Koch, P. Fontanarrosa, J. Padro, I. M. Soto Arthropods 2224-4255 2013 2 1-6 03/2013 International Academy of Ecology and Environmental Sciences scuttle fly mantid opportunistic parasitoid cricket laboratory rearing We report the first record of Megaselia scalaris (Loew) infesting laboratory stocks of the praying mantis (Parastagmatoptera tessellata, Saussure). M. scalaris, the scuttle fly, is a cosmopolitan species with a broad niche as it performs as detritivore, facultative parasite, and parasitoid. M. scalaris larvae were found feeding inside adult mantids and, when development was completed, pupae were found inside the abdominal cavity and around the body. We discuss the presence of colonies of crickets bred as prey for the mantids as a facilitator of M. scalaris infestation. DOI 10.0000/issn-2224-4255-arthropods-2013-v2-0001 http://www.iaees.org/publications/journals/arthropods/articles/2013-2(1)/first-record-of-Megaselia-scalaris.pdf