Megaselia species D

DISNEY, R. H. L., 2003, Tasmanian Phoridae (Diptera) and some additional Australasian species, Journal of Natural History 37 (5), pp. 505-639 : 598-599

Megaselia species D

(figure 49)

This species appears to be only known in the female sex and is probably an undescribed species.

Material

Two females, Tasmania, Hobart, Sandy Bay , Acushla Court , at window, 18–25 September 1998 ( R. H. L. Disney —25-24, 25-31) ( TMH, UMZC) .

Diagnosis

The combination of anterior pair of minute hairs and posterior pair of bristles on scutellum; bare mesopleuron; costal index 0.45–0.46; forked vein 3; no differentiated anterodorsal hairs on hind tibia; minute and well-spaced microsetae on frons; brown halteres; antials closer to upper supra-antennal bristles than to anterolaterals; vein 4 originating at or beyond fork of vein 3; legs (including coxae) brown; costa not swollen; abdominal tergites normal; third antennal segment dark brown; costal ratios 5.0–5.1:1.2–1.4:1; and costal cilia 0.08–0.09 mm long; takes this species to couplet 85 on p. 91 of Borgmeier’s (1967b) keys, to M. wheeleri Borgmeier. However , the latter has the antials much closer to ALs than to upper SAs. Notopleuron with three bristles; unusually broad labrum; and brown palps.

Female

Frons brown, broader than long, and with 120–130 hairs. Upper SA bristles about twice as long as lower pair. Antials a little higher on frons than upper SAs but clearly lower than anterolaterals. Pre-ocellars a little further apart than either is from a mediolateral, and all four bristles in an almost straight transverse row. Three small bristles on cheek and two or three longer ones on jowl. Third antennal segment lacks SPS vesicles. Palps with five or six bristles and at least as many hairs. Dark brown labrum as figure 49A and about 1.6× as wide as third antennal segment. Labella dusky whitish yellow with brown bands above and only a few scattered spinules below. Thorax brown to dark brown. Abdominal tergites brown with small hairs, and T5–T6 as figure 49B. Venter brownish grey with hairs below segments 3–6. Brown cerci at least 3× as long as broad, with several fine hairs of which none are as long as cercus. Internally, Dufour’s crop mechanism about 2.7× as long as greatest breadth and rounded behind, only two rectal papillae, and a very pale (shadowy) furca. All legs brown. Front tarsus with basitarsus>5× as long as broad, only segments 1–4 with posterodorsal hair palisade, and segment 5 subequal in length to 4. Near-dorsal hair palisade of mid tibia extends about 0.6× length. Hairs below basal half of hind femur a little longer than anteroventral hairs of outer half. Hind tibia with 16–18 differentiated, but not strong, posterdorsal hairs. Wing length 1.5–1.6 mm. Vein Sc ends before reaching R. No hair at base of vein 3. Two 1

axillary bristles, the outer one being longer than costal cilia. Veins brown. Membrane lightly tinged grey.