First Record of Brachymeria podagrica (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae) in Bisha City, Asir Region, Saudi Arabia
Chalcid Brachymeria podagrica (Fabricius), formerly known as Brachymeria fonscolombei (Dufour), is a
parasitoid wasp that infests dipteran larvae of fly, Sarcophaga dux (Thomson), (Diptera: Sarcophagidae)
recovered from the dead body of sheep in Bisha City, Asir region–Saudi Arabia. S. dux larvae were infested
by B. podagrica. The first instar larvae and pupae of B. podagrica were found inside the larvae and pupae
of S. dux. The adults of the parasitic wasp emerged from the pupae of the host. Adults and larvae of the
parasitoid wasp were observed under a dissecting microscope. Identification was made by following the
identification keys. It was confirmed that it was B. podagrica, which is herewith reported for the first time in
Saudi Arabia.
