Melaloncha licina, 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 : 57-58

Melaloncha licina new species

Fig. 46

Recognition. The ovipositor of this species is short and strongly curved dorsally. It resembles species of the M. ungulata ­series ( Brown & Kung 2006), but lacks their highly asymmetrical foretarsal claws.

Description. Female (male unknown). Body length 2.7 mm. Frons yellow, bare of setulae; ocellar triangle with darkening around each ocellus. Frons 0.48 head width. Medial furrow absent. Ocular setae brown dorsally, yellow laterally and ventrally; genal seta yellow. Flagellomere 1 and aristomeres 1–2 yellow; aristomere 3 brown. Palpus whitish yellow; palpal setulae yellow except apical setula brown. Scutum yellowish­brown with posterolateral dark brown spot. Scutellum yellow, with anterolateral dark round spot. Pleuron yellowish­brown except basalare black. Legs yellowish­brown. Combined length of foretarsomeres 0.86 length of foretibia. Foretarsal claws recurved, with large basal lobe. Costa 0.51 wing length. Halter yellow. Abdominal tergites yellow medially, black anteriorly and posteriorly. Venter of abdomen yellow. Ovipositor yellow at base, mostly dark brown; tubular, curved dorsally; with scattered short setae.

Host. Unknown.

Geographical distribution. Brazil.

Derivation of specific epithet. Latin licinus for bent upwards, referring to the shape of the ovipositor.

Holotype. ♀, BRAZIL: Amazonas : Manaus, Reserva Ducke, 3.13°S, 60.02°W, 8–15.iv.1992, J. Vidal, Arm. Cola. 1­4­ 20m [ LACM ENT 008467 ] ( INPA).

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.