Melaloncha stylata (Schiner)

Brown, Brian V., 2006, Revision of the untreated taxa of Melaloncha s. s. bee-killing flies (Diptera: Phoridae), Zootaxa 1280 (1), pp. 1-68 : 42

Melaloncha stylata (Schiner)

Figs. 29, 31

Phora stylata Schiner, 1868, p. 224 .

Melaloncha stylata: Brues, 1904, p. 375 . ­ Schmitz, 1927, p. 176.

Holotype: ♀, VENEZUELA [no other data], 1864, Lindig [ LACM ENT 210780 ] (Naturhistorisches Museum Wien; examined). Note in the original description the type locality is given as Colombia, but this incorrect locality information is a problem also found with tachinid types in the Schiner collection (P. Sehnal, personal communication).

Recognition. This species can be distinguished from its close relatives by the relatively narrow dorsal process of the ovipositor, which has relatively short, thin setae.

Description. Female (male unknown). Body length 2.2–2.9 mm. Frons yellow, bare; ocellar triangle dark. Mean frontal width 0.45, range 0.43–0.47. Medial furrow absent. Ocular and genal setae yellow. Flagellomere 1 basally white to yellow, apically yellow; aristomeres 1–2 and base of 3 yellow, apex of 3 dark. Palpus white; palpal setulae yellow. Scutum yellowish­brown, with small dark brown posterolateral spot. Scutellum yellow, with anterolateral dark round spot. Pleuron yellow except basalare black. Legs yellow. Combined length of foretarsomeres 0.86 length of foretibia. Foretarsal claws recurved, with large basal lobe. Mean costa length 0.51 wing length, range 0.47–0.53. Halter yellow. Abdominal tergites mostly yellow, with black posterior strip. Venter of abdomen yellow. Ovipositor yellow on basal one­fifth, apically dark brown to black; dorsal lobe narrow in dorsal view, with relatively small, sparse lateral setae; ventral lobe elongate posteroventrally, although less to than in M. kittsonae , with few long setae; rest of ovipositor with only short, scattered setae.

Host. We have observed this species attacking Partamona cupira and Apis mellifera at Las Cruces.

Geographical distribution. Costa Rica to Ecuador.

Other material examined. COSTA RICA: Guanacaste: PN Guanacaste, Estación Pitilla , 1♀, vii.1994, P. Rios, # 3140, 700 m ( INBC) ; Heredia: La Selva Biological Station , 10.43°N, 84.02°W, 1♀, 15.iii.1993, 1♀, 30.vi.1995, ALAS, Malaise trap M/10/32, M/08/ 393 ( INBC, LACM) ; Puntarenas: Las Cruces , 8.79°N, 82.95°W, 1♀, 12.vi.1998, 4♀, 13.vi.1998, B. Brown, V. Berezovskiy, flowers of Syagrus coronata (LACM, MUCR) , 1♀, 17.v.2000, G. Kung, dead Syagrus coronata flowers ( LACM) , 5.5 km SW Rincon, Tropical Youth Center , 8.70°N, 83.51°W, 1♀, 10.viii.2001, B. Brown, V. Berezovskiy, E. Zumbado, honey­sprayed leaves ( LACM) , 1♀, 25.vii.2002, L. Gonzalez, honey sprayed undergrowth ( LACM) . ECUADOR: Pichincha: Tinalandia, E. of Santo Domingo , 3♀, 8–14.v.1988, Hanson & Bohart ( EMUS, LACM) .

Figures

FIGURES 25–31. Melaloncha spp., female, ovipositor. Figs. 25–29. Left lateral. Figs. 30–31. Dorsal.