Melaloncha flavilineata, Brown, 2006

Brown, Brian V., 2006, Revision of the untreated taxa of Melaloncha s. s. bee-killing flies (Diptera: Phoridae), Zootaxa 1280 (1), pp. 1-68 : 23-25

Melaloncha flavilineata new species

Fig. 10

Recognition. This species can be easily separated by others with simple claws by the straight tubular ovipositor and the light brown medial line on the dorsum of the abdomen.

Description. Female (male unknown). Body length 2.50 mm. Frons yellow, bare of setulae except few along eye margin; ocellar triangle black. Frons 0.37 head width. Medial furrow absent. Ocular setae black dorsally, brown laterally and ventrally; genal setae brown. Flagellomere 1 white basally, yellow apically; arista brown. Palpus white; with three black setulae. Scutum yellowish­brown with brown posterolateral spot. Scutellum brown, with yellowish­brown anterolateral spot. Pleuron light brown with dark brown markings. Legs yellowish brown. Combined length of foretarsomeres 1.1 length of foretibia. Foretarsal claws unmodified, without basal lobe. Costa 0.54 wing length. Halter knob dark brown at base, light brown dorsally, white on apical extremities. Abdominal tergite 1 dark brown, except medial one­third mostly white; tergites 2–6 dark brown with medial light brown line. Venter of abdomen white. Ovipositor dark brown; elongate, tubular; most setae missing, but sockets indicating sparse, short setae along length.

Host. Unknown.

Geographical distribution. Peru.

Derivation of specific epithet. Latin flavus and linea for yellow lined, referring to the color of the abdominal tergites.

Holotype. ♀, PERU: Madre de Dios: Z. R. Manu, Pakitza, 11.95°S, 71.28°W,

25.ii–1.iii.1992, D. Quintero, Malaise trap [ LACM ENT 122601] ( MUSM).

Figures

FIGURES 9–12. Melaloncha spp., female, ovipositor, left lateral.