Melaloncha crinita, 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 : 47

Melaloncha crinita new species

Fig. 36

Recognition. This yellow species recognized by the shape of the ovipositor, which is rounded laterally, and apically narrowed to a broad, rounded point.

Description. Female (male unknown). Body length 2.0 mm. Frons dark yellow, bare of setulae; ocellar triangle with dark color connecting ocelli. Frons 0.46 head width. Medial furrow absent. Ocular setae brown dorsally, yellow laterally and ventrally; genal setae yellow. Flagellomere 1, aristomeres 1–2 and base of 3 yellow; most of aristomere 3 brown. Palpus white; palpal setae brown. Scutum yellowish­brown, with small posterolateral dark brown spot. Scutellum yellow, with anterolateral dark round spot. Pleuron yellowish­brown except basalare black. Legs yellowish­brown. Combined length of foretarsomeres equal to length of foretibia. Foretarsal claws recurved, with large basal lobe. Costa 0.51 wing length. Halter yellow. Abdominal tergites anteriorly yellow, posteriorly black; tergites 2–5 with black color extending farther forward medially. Venter of abdomen yellow. Ovipositor basally yellow, mostly black; rounded, expanded slightly at midlength; apex broadly rounded in dorsal view; with long, curved setae throughout, but especially dense ventrally.

Host. Unknown.

Geographical distribution. Costa Rica.

Derivation of specific epithet. Latin crinitus for long­haired, hairy.

Holotype. ♀, COSTA RICA: Heredia: La Selva Biological Station , 10.43°N, 84.02°W, 16.iii.1993, ALAS, Malaise trap M/12/043 [INBIOCRI002273264] ( INBC).

Figures

FIGURES 32–42. Melaloncha spp., female, ovipositor, left lateral (except Fig. 40, bottom). Figures. 39 and 40 showing intersegmental membrane and sclerite of intersegment 7–8.