Melaloncha striatula Borgmeier, 1934

Brown, Brian V., 2006, Revision of the untreated taxa of Melaloncha s. s. bee-killing flies (Diptera: Phoridae), Zootaxa 1280 (1), pp. 1-68 : 63-64

Melaloncha striatula Borgmeier

Fig. 51

Melaloncha striatula Borgmeier, 1934, p. 176 , plate 3 fig. 9.

Holotype: ♀, COSTA RICA: Higuito, San Mateo, P. Schild [ LACM ENT 210888 ] ( USNM; examined).

Recognition. The female of this species is recognized by the straight, medium­length ovipositor with sparse, relatively thick setae that give it a “rough” look. The most similar species, M. palpalis , has much thinner setae, but marginal specimens exist, and further work is necessary on the concept of this species.

Description (colors based on more recently collected specimens than holotype, which has darkened considerably due to its poor preservation). Female (male unknown). Body length 2.1–2.5 mm. Frons yellow, bare; ocelli margined in black to ocellar triangle completely black. Mean frontal width 0.46, range 0.42–0.50. Medial frontal furrow absent. Ocular setae brown dorsally, yellow laterally; genal setae yellow. Flagellomere 1 white basally, yellow apically to completely yellow; aristomeres 1–2 and base of 3 yellow, most of 3 dark. Palpus white; palpal setulae yellow. Scutum yellow to yellowish­brown, in some specimens with small posterolateral dark spot. Scutum yellowish­brown, with anterolateral round dark spot. Pleuron yellow, except basalare dark brown. Legs yellow. Combined length of foretarsomeres approximately 1.33 length of foretibia. Foretarsal claws recurved, with large basal lobe. Mean costal length 0.52, range 0.51–0.54. Halter yellow. Abdominal tergites mostly yellow, with black band along posterior margin. Venter of abdomen white. Ovipositor yellow at base, mostly dark brown; relatively straight, tubular, slightly laterally flattened at apex; with coarse, short setae that are well­spaced, giving ovipositor “rough” appearance.

Host. Specimens were collected at aggregations of various bees, but an oviposition attempt was seen only on Partamona cupira (Smith) .

Geographical distribution. Widespread from Costa Rica to Brazil.

Other material examined. BRAZIL: Amazonas: Manaus, Reserva Ducke , 3.13°S, 60.02°W, 1♀, 8–15.iv.1992, J. Vidal, 1B­ 20m ( INPA) . COLOMBIA: Chocó: PNN Utria, Sendero Boroboro , 6.03°N, 77.32°W, 1♀, 5.vii.2000, B. Brown, G. Kung, bee screen ( LACM) . COSTA RICA: 1♀, same data as holotype ( USNM) ; Alajuela: 20 km S Upala , 1♀, 17.ix.1990, 1♀, 6.i.1991, 1♀, 16–17.i.1991, 1♀, 22.i.1991, 2♀, 3–9.iii.1991, 1♀, 24.vi–22.vii.1991, 1♀, 1–25.ix.1991, 1♀, 11–21.ix.1991, F. D. Parker ( EMUS, LACM) ; Cartago: Turrialba , CATIE, 1♀, 26–29.vi.1986, W. Hanson, G. Bohart ( EMUS) ; Guanacaste: Nandayure, Cerro Azul , 1♀, 20.x.2002 – 15.i.2003, W. Porras, Malaise trap, #72539 ( INBC) , 3 km SE Rio Naranjo , 1♀, 4.xi.1991, F. D. Parker ( LACM) ; Heredia: La Selva Biological Station , 10.43°N, 84.02°W, 2♀, 2.iii.1993, ALAS, Malaise trap M/01/ 016, M/13/028, 1♀, 16.iii.1993, ALAS, Malaise trap M/15/046, 1♀, 2.iv.1993, ALAS, Malaise trap M/13/060, 1♀, 3.v.1993, ALAS, Malaise trap M/11/090, 1♀, 11.xii.1997, ALAS, Malaise trap M/18/693 ( INBC, LACM, MUCR) ; Puntarenas: 3 km SW Rincon , 1♀, 8.68°N, 83.48°W, 1♀, iii–v.1991, P. Hanson, Malaise trap, 10 m ( LACM) , 5.5 km SW Rincon, Tropical Youth Center , 8.70°N, 83.51°W, 1♀, 11.viii.2001, B. V. Brown, attacking Partamona cupira (LACM) , 3♀, 25.vii.2002, L. Gonzalez, honey sprayed undergrowth ( LACM) . PANAMA: San Blas: Nusagandi Reserve , 9.33°N, 79°W, 1♀, 14–21.v.1994, J. Pickering, Malaise trap #2871 ( LACM) . PERU: Madre de Dios: Tambopata Research Center , 13.14°S, 69.61°W, 1♀, 21.vii.2001, 2♀, 22.vii.2001, 1♀, 24.vii.2001, B. Brown, G. Kung, honey­sprayed leaves ( LACM, MUSM) ; San Martin: San Antonio de Cumbaza , 6.40°S, 76.41°W, 1♀, 10.vii.2004, B. Brown, E. Corona, honey spray, 400 m ( LACM) .

Figures

FIGURES 43–53. Melaloncha spp., female, ovipositor, left lateral (except Figs. 52 and 53, bottom). Figs. 45 and 52 showing intersegmental membrane and sclerite of intersegment 7–8.