Melaloncha nannocauda, 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 : 59-60

Melaloncha nannocauda new species

Fig. 48

Recognition. This species differs from M. hyalinipennis and M. acicula , the other two small species that it resembles, by the broader frons and the shorter, slightly ventrally curved ovipositor.

Description. Female (male unknown). Body length 1.4–1.7 mm. Frons yellow, bare of setulae except few near eye margin; ocellar triangle darkened. Mean frontal width 0.52, range 0.48–0.53. Medial furrow absent. Ocular and genal setae brown. Flagellomere 1 white basally, light brown apically; aristomeres 1–2 and base of 3 light brown, rest of 3 dark brown. Palpus white; palpal setulae relatively long, black. Scutum brown, except anterolateral corner yellowish­brown. Scutellum brown. Pleuron mostly light brown, with few darker markings; basalare dark brown. Legs yellowish­brown, except apex of hind femur dark brown. Combined length of foretarsomeres 0.70 length of foretibia. Foretarsal claws small, recurved, with large basal lobe. Mean costal length 0.45, range 0.44–0.50. Halter white. Abdominal tergites 1–5 dark brown with small lateral areas of light brown; tergite 6 yellow anteriorly, brown posteriorly. Venter of abdomen white. Ovipositor yellow basally, mostly brown; short, slightly ventrally curved, tubular but laterally flattened apically; with short scattered setae.

Host. Unknown.

Geographical distribution. Brazil and Colombia.

Derivation of specific epithet. Greek nannos for short, and Latin cauda for tail, referring to the short ovipositor in this species.

Holotype. ♀, BRAZIL: Amazonas : 60 km N Manaus, Reserva Campina, 2.5°S, 60.0°W, 8–19.vi.1992, J. Vidal [ LACM ENT 122239 ] ( INPA).

Paratypes. BRAZIL: 9♀, same data as holotype ( INPA, LACM) . COLOMBIA: Amazonas : PNN Amacayacu, 3.82°S, 70.26°W, 1♀, 27.iii–13.iv.2000, A. Parente, Malaise trap, CAP­85 ( UNCB) .

Figures

FIGURES 43–53. Melaloncha spp., female, ovipositor, left lateral (except Figs. 52 and 53, bottom). Figs. 45 and 52 showing intersegmental membrane and sclerite of intersegment 7–8.