A case of phoresy of Semeiochernes armiger Balzan, 1892 (Pseudoscorpiones: Chernetidae) on the giant tropical fly Pantophthalmus tabaninus Thunberg, 1819 (Diptera: Pantophthalmidae) in an Amazonian rain forest, Pará

Abstract

Pseudoscorpions have the ability to attach themselves to a wide variety of more mobile arthropods. This interaction has been termed phoresy. We report on a phoretic interaction of Semeiochernes armiger with a giant tropical fly Pantophthalmus tabaninus in an Amazonian rain forest. Two males and two females of S. armiger were found attached to the right posterior leg of the fly. In addition, more than two hundred mites were found on the thorax of the host fly. Long term and detailed studies on the phoretic associations of pseudoscorpions and hosts in the neotropical rain forest would contribute to a better understanding of these interactions.