NEW SPECIES OF MEGASELIA (DIPTERA, PHORIDAE) WHOSE LARVAE LIVE IN FIG SYCONIA (URTICALES, MORACEAE), AND ADULTS PREY ON FIG WASPS (HYMENOPTERA, AGAONIDAE)

Megaselia dentata sp. nov., M. ficaria sp. nov., M. parvorata sp. nov., M. surophila sp. nov. and M. vorata sp. nov. are described from South Africa. M. dentata and M. parvatora are reported from Zambia also. The larvae develop in the fruit of figs (Ficus spp.). The adult females of M. vorata and M. parvorata, at least, prey upon adult fig wasps; by piercing in turn the cuticle of the head, the thorax and the abdomen and sucking out the contents. The sexual dimorphism in the proboscis of the fig flies correlates with the predatory habits of the females. Similar sexual dimorphisms in the proboscis are widespread in Phoridae, so it is predicted that predatory habits will be found to be widespread in the family.