Apocephalus mexacanthus, Brown, Brian V., 2014

Brown, Brian V., 2014, Revision of the Apocephalus analis group of ant-decapitating flies (Diptera: Phoridae), Zootaxa 3857 (4), pp. 551-570 : 558

Apocephalus mexacanthus new species

( Fig. 15 )

Diagnosis. Most similar to A. paracanthus , from which it differs by the lateral row of longer setae along the posterior margin of sternite 6, as well as the position of the thornlike setae in relation to the darkened sclerite near which they are placed.

Description. Body length 1.3 mm. Frons 0.57 head width. Flagellomere 1 round, light brown. Pleuron light brown. Costa 0.52 wing length. Halter light brown. Abdominal tergites mostly yellow, but light brown posterolaterally, normal sized. Tergite 6 light brown, about as broad as tergite 5, entire, apical margin straight, with large thick setae posterolaterally. Venter of abdomen yellowish brown, dark grey near tergites, venter of segments 3–5 with scattered thin setae, venter of intersegment 6–7 with rounded, thinly sclerotized plate producing vertical surface in posterior view, pair of thornlike setae present on plate. Venter of segment 6 with large brown sclerite extending to dorsal margin, with dense, short setae. Oviscape elongate oval, anterior process short, broadly rounded, with large lateral seta present. Dorsum of oviscape with scattered dorsolateral setulae on apical onequarter. Apex roundly pointed, strongly downturned, with few small apical setae. Ventral setae of oviscape absent. Intersegment 7–8 without sclerotization. Anterior arms of stylet broad, similar to A. analis ( Fig. 50 ).

Distribution. One site in Chiapas, Mexico.

Derivation of specific epithet. From the country of origin of the single specimen ( Mexico) combined with the Greek word for “thorn” (akantha) referring to the pair of ventral thornlike setae on segment 6.

Holotype. ♀ MEXICO: Chiapas: San Cristobal de Las Casas, 16.75°N, 92.67°W, 2200m, 25.vi.1969, W.Mason, Malaise trap (CNCI) [LACM ENT 007709].

Figures

FIGURES 9 – 16. Female abdomens. 9 – 12. Ventral. 13 – 16. Posterior.

FIGURES 43 – 51. Stylets, dorsal.