Melaloncha feleoae, 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 : 38-39

Melaloncha feleoae new species

Figs. 25, 30

Recognition. This species differs from others of the M. stylata group by the short, strongly arched dorsal lobe and relatively short ventral lobe of the ovipositor.

Description. Female (male unknown). Body length 2.3–2.8 mm. Frons yellow, bare of setulae except few along eye margin; ocellar triangle black. Mean frontal width 0.43 head width, range 0.41–0.46. Medial furrow absent. Ocular setae black dorsally, yellow laterally and ventrally; genal setae yellow. Flagellomere 1 white basally, mostly yellow; aristomeres 1–2 yellow, 3 brown to black. Palpus white; palpal setulae black, relatively short. Scutum yellowish­brown, with dark brown posterolateral spot. Scutellum yellow, with anterolateral dark round spot. Pleuron yellow, except basalare black. Legs yellowishbrown. Combined length of foretarsomeres 0.76 length of foretibia. Foretarsal claws recurved, with large basal lobe. Mean costal length 0.50, range 0.48–0.51. Halter yellow. Abdominal tergites yellow anteriorly, black posteriorly. Venter of abdomen yellow. Ovipositor basally yellow, mostly black; laterally flattened; dorsal lobe short, strongly arched relatively broad in dorsal view, with long setae; ventral lobe short, with long setae posteroventrally; rest of ovipositor with only short, scattered setae, mostly posterodorsally.

Host. Unknown; all specimens were attracted to a mixed aggregation of bees.

Geographical distribution. Bolivia.

Derivation of specific epithet. Named for Kristine Feleo in thanks for her volunteer work in my laboratory.

Holotype. ♀, BOLIVIA: La Paz: 40 km N Caranavi, Cumbre Alto Beni, 15.83°S,

67.56°W, 19.iv.2004, E. Zumbado, honey spray, 1600 m [ LACM ENT 194329 ] ( CBFC) .

Paratypes. BOLIVIA: La Paz: 40 km N Caranavi, Cumbre Alto Beni, 15.83°S, 67.56°W, 1♀, 15.iv.2003 , 2♀, 18.iv.2003 , 2♀, 19.iv.2003, Brown, Marcotte, Zumbado, honey spray, 1600 m ( CBFC, LACM) , 1♀, 14.iv.2004, 5♀, 16.iv.2004, 5♀, 17.iv.2004, 1♀, 19.iv.2004, 2♀, 21.iv.2004, E. Zumbado, honey spray, 1600 m ( CBFC, LACM, MCZC, MZSP, SEMC, USNM, ZMUK) .

Figures

FIGURES 25–31. Melaloncha spp., female, ovipositor. Figs. 25–29. Left lateral. Figs. 30–31. Dorsal.