Melaloncha trichopera, 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 : 65-67

Melaloncha trichopera new species

Fig. 53

Recognition. This yellow species is similar to M. striatula , but has a distinctive pair of dorsoapical setae on the ovipositor, and a characteristic rounded apex of the sclerite of intersegment 7–8.

Description. Female (male unknown). Body length 2.0– 2.3 mm. Frons yellow, bare of setulae; ocellar triangle black. Mean frontal width 0.47, range 0.47–0.49. Medial furrow absent. Ocular and genal setae brown. Flagellomere 1 and aristomeres 1–2 yellow; aristomere 3 brown. Palpus white; palpal setae black. Scutum yellowish­brown, except with narrow, posterolateral dark brown markings. Scutellum yellowish­brown, with anterolateral dark round spot. Pleuron yellowish­brown, except basalare black. Legs yellowish­brown. Combined length of foretarsomeres equal to length of foretibia. Foretarsal claws recurved, with large basal lobe. Mean costal length 0.54 wing length, range 0.53–0.55. Halter yellow. Abdominal tergites anteriorly yellow, posteriorly black. Ovipositor yellow at base, mostly black; curved dorsally (holotype less abruptly curved along ventral margin than in Fig. 53 ), with narrow dorsal lobe projecting further posteriorly than ventral lobe; with scattered short setae, plus one pair larger, divergent setae at dorsal apex. Sclerite of intersegment 7–8 with enlarged, rounded apex.

Host. The holotype was collected attacking a worker of Trigona truculenta , which is mounted on a point on the same pin.

Geographical distribution. Costa Rica and Peru.

Derivation of specific epithet. Greek trichos for bristle and peras for end, referring to the two strong setae at the apex of the ovipositor.

Holotype. ♀, PERU: San Martin: Estación “Biodiversidad”, 19 km NE Tarapoto, 6.46°S, 76.29°W, 6.vii.2004, B. V. Brown, attacking host bee [ LACM ENT 206624 ] ( MUSM).

Paratypes. COSTA RICA: Alajuela: 20 km S Upala , 1♀, 31.i.1991, 2♀, 27–31.iii.1991, F. D. Parker ( EMUS, 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.