Myriophora smithi, Hash, John M. & Brown, Brian V., 2015

Hash, John M. & Brown, Brian V., 2015, Revision of the New World Species of the Millipede-Parasitic Genus Myriophora Brown (Diptera: Phoridae), Zootaxa 4035 (1), pp. 1-79 : 45-46

Myriophora smithi sp. nov.

(Figs 8.2, 14.2, 20.1, 24.8)

Diagnosis. Female. Myriophora smithi has a distinctive oviscape that is arcuate and greatly narrowing posteriorly. The membrane striae are oriented perpendicular to the plane of the oviscape and become parallel apically as it gives way to the sclerites entirely covering the lateral face at the apex (Figs 20.1, 24.8).

Description. Female (Fig. 8.2). Body length 2.21–2.70 mm. Head: Frons dusky yellow, with 2 pairs of supraantennal setae; length of lower supra-antennal setae greater than 1/2 of the length of upper pair; upper supraantennals originate even with lower interfrontal setae. First flagellomere yellow-brown, rounded under arista. Palpus yellow, normal sized. Labrum normal sized. Labellum normal sized. Thorax: Scutum dusky yellow. Scutellum dusky yellow. Anterior scutellar setae about 3/4 of the length of posterior pair. Pleuron dusky yellow; anepisternum with setulae and one large seta. Forefemur yellow. Midfemur yellow. Hind femur yellow with brown patch distally on anterior surface. Wing length 2.03–2.66 mm (Fig. 14.2); costal vein normal; costal length 1.16– 1.47 mm; mean costal ratio 0.55. Knob of halter brown. Abdomen: Tergites 1 and 2 brown; tergite 2 with strong, distinct setae on lateral margin. Tergite 5 brown; posterior setae on tergite 5 short. Tergite 6 rectangular to slightly narrowing posteriorly; posterodorsal setae on segment 6 shorter than posteroventral setae. Venter of abdomen with dense, short setae. Oviscape (Fig. 20.1) sclerites reddish-brown; membrane lightly colored; striations perpendicular to sclerites anteriorly and becoming parallel toward posterior; strongly laterally compressed; sclerites deepening and covering more of the lateral face posteriorly.

Distribution. Costa Rica and Guatemala.

Host. Collected on injured Spirobolidae .

Etymology. Named for Dr. Paul Smith in appreciation of introducing John Hash to phorid flies and his mentorship as M.S. thesis advisor.

Holotype. ♀, COSTA RICA: Cartago: La Cangreja, 9.80°N, 83.97°W, 1950m, vi–vii.1992, P. Hanson, Malaise trap [ LACM ENT 062413].

Paratypes. 7♀, same as holotype, [ LACM ENT 0 62400, 0 62421, 0 62654, 0 62637, 0 62545, 0 62554, 062523].

Other material examined. COSTA RICA: Cartago: 4km NE Cañon, Genesis II, 9.71°N, 83.91°W, 2350m, 2♀, vii.1995, P. Hanson, Malaise trap, 6♀, viii.1995, P. Hanson, Malaise trap, La Cangreja, 9.80°N, 83.97°W, 1950m, 9♀, ix–xii.1992, P. Hanson, Malaise trap, 2♀, vi–vii.1992, P. Hanson, Malaise trap, 1♀, vii.1991, P. Hanson, Malaise trap, 1♀, xi.1991, P. Hanson, Malaise trap; Heredia: La Selva Biological Station, 10.43°N, 84.02°W, 40m, 1♀, 19.v.1993, ALAS, Malaise trap M/12/106 ( INBC); Limon: 4km NE Bribri, 9.63°N, 82.82°W, 50m, 1♀, xii.1989 – iii.1990, P. Hanson, Malaise trap. GUATEMALA: Sacatepequez: Dunwest Farm, Sumpango, 14.67°N, 90.72°W, 1975m, 1♀, 18.ii–4.iii.2007, M. Hoddle, Malaise trap, 2♀, 27.i–3.ii.2007, M. Hoddle, Malaise trap, 1♀, 30.xi–5.xii.2006, M. Hoddle, Malaise trap.