Melaloncha simotris, 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 : 21

Melaloncha simotris new species

Fig. 8

Recognition. This species is distinctive within the M. digitalis group by its yellow color, medial ventral interfrontal setae, and relatively sparse setae on the ovipositor.

Description. Female (male unknown). Body length 2.3 mm. Frons yellow, bare of setulae except few along eye margin; ocellar triangle black. Frons 0.44 head width. Medial furrow absent. Ocular and genal setae light brown. Flagellomere 1, aristomeres 1, 2 and base of 3 yellow; rest of 3 brown. Palpus white; palpal setulae brown. Scutum yellowishbrown with posterolateral dark spot. Scutellum yellowish­brown with anterolateral round light brown spot. Pleuron yellowish­brown, except basalare dark brown. Legs yellowishbrown. Combined length of foretarsomeres 1.2 length of foretibia. Foretarsal claws simple, unmodified, without basal lobe. Costa 0.52 wing length. Halter yellow. Abdominal tergites yellow anteriorly, black posteriorly and with black medially on tergites 2–5. Venter of abdomen yellow. Ovipositor yellow basally, mostly black; elongate, tubular, curved dorsally; with sparse, medium­length setae.

Host. Unknown.

Geographical distribution. Peru.

Derivation of specific epithet. Greek simoma (neut.), for turned up, referring to the shape of the ovipositor.

Holotype. ♀, PERU: Madre de Dios: Tambopata Research Center , 13.14°S, 69.61°W, 24.vii.2001, B. Brown, G. Kung, honey­sprayed leaves [ LACM ENT 074455 ] ( MUSM).

Figures

FIGURES 5–8. Melaloncha spp., female. Figs. 5–6. Head, anterior. Figs. 7–8. Ovipositor, left lateral. Abbreviations: vfo—ventral fronto­orbital seta, vif—ventral interfrontal seta.