Melaloncha rodeoensis, 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 : 33-34

Melaloncha rodeoensis new species

Figs. 18, 23

Recognition. This species is similar to M. sinistra , but differs by the longer foretarsus, larger apicoventral setae and shorter dorsal setae on the ovipositor.

Description. Female (male unknown). Body length 1.9 mm. Frons orange, evenly setulose; ocellar triangle black. Frons 0.35 head width. Medial furrow faintly present. Ocular and genal setae black. Flagellomere 1 basally white, apically yellow; aristomeres 1–2 yellow, 3 brown. Scutum dark brown, except anterolateral corner light brown. Scutellum dark brown, with anterolateral ligher brown round spot. Pleuron mixture of dark and yellowish­brown. Legs yellowish­brown, except apex of hind femur with dark brown spot. Combined length of foretarsomeres 1.1 length of foretibia. Foretarsal claws recurved, with large basal lobe. Costa 0.48 wing length. Halter yellow. Abdominal tergites black, with silver pollinosity anteriorly. Venter of abdomen gray. Ovipositor dark brown; curved evenly, dorsally throughout length; relatively elongate, narrow, flattened dorsally, with rounded dorsal apex; with short sparse setae mostly on dorsal lobe, apicoventrally with group of several longer setae.

Host. Unknown. The holotype was collected at a mixed aggregation of bees attracted to honey spray. It arrived on a day that the aggregation became dominated by Scaptotrigona mexicana subobscuripennis Schwarz.

Geographical distribution. Costa Rica and Colombia.

Derivation of specific epithet. Named for the holotype locality.

Holotype. ♀, COSTA RICA: San José: Zona Protectora El Rodeo , 9.91°N, 84.28°W, 8.viii.2001, B. Brown, G. Kung, honey­sprayed leaves [ LACM ENT 076019 ] ( LACM).

Paratype. COLOMBIA: Amazonas : PNN Amacayacu, Matamata, 3.82°S, 70.26°W, 1♀, 12.iii–2.iv.2001, D. Chota, Malaise trap, CAP­1608 ( UNCB) .

Figures

FIGURES 13–24. Melaloncha spp., female, ovipositor. Figs. 13–21. Left lateral. Figs. 22–24. Dorsal.