Melaloncha aprica, Brown, 2004

Brown, Brian V., 2004, Revision of the subgenus Udamochiras of Melaloncha beekilling flies (Diptera: Phoridae: Metopininae), Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 140 (1), pp. 1-42 : 23-24

MELALONCHA APRICA SP. NOV. ( FIGS 56, 61 )

Recognition. This species differs from its closest relative, M. paxilla , by the broader ovipositor, which lacks an dorsoapical process ( Fig. 56 ).

Description. Body length 2–2.5 mm. Frons orange, except vertex and ocellar region, which are black. Setal base of all setae coloured like rest of frons. Mean frontal width 0.27 head width; range 0.26–0.28. Frons

Melaloncha Melaloncha Melaloncha Melaloncha Melaloncha aprica n. sp. paxilla n. sp. angustifrons n. sp. apicula n. sp. basella n. sp. 56 57 58 59 60

61 Melaloncha aprica n. sp.

62 Melaloncha paxilla n. sp.

64 Melaloncha angustifrons n. sp.

65 Melaloncha apicula n. sp. with fine reticulate sculpturing, not shiny, weakly punctate, with small, pale setulae. Median furrow absent. Frontal setae normal; arrangement of frontal setae unmodified, with ventral interfrontal setae near venter of frons. Dorsal interfrontal setae present, 0.5 length of postocellar setae, level with ventral margin of ventral ocellus. Palpus unmodified. Ocular and genal setae flattened, yellow. Fore tarsomeres yellowish-brown, slightly expanded. Combined length of fore tarsomeres approximately 0.7 tibial length. Fore tarsomere 1 approximately twice as long as tarsomere 2. Fore tarsomere 5 slightly expanded. Pulvilli of fore leg large. Tarsal claws of all legs small, finely bifurcate at apex. Mid and hind leg yellowish-brown, with tarsomeres 4–5 and apex of tarsomere 3 of mid leg dark brown dorsally. Mean costal length 0.54 wing length; range 0.53–0.55. Tergite 6 with anterior three-fifths of dorsum orange with silver pollinosity. Tergites 2–6 lateroventrally orange. Venter of abdomen yellow. Ovipositor slightly dorsoventrally flattened; basally broad, narrowing apically; with prominent lateral emargination, strongly curved ventrally. In dorsal view, lateral setae of ovipositor thin, short. Ventrally, ovipositor with short, fine, sparse setae. Surface of ovipositor with faint, irregular, reticulate sculpturing.

Geographical distribution. Costa Rica and Brazil.

Etymology. Latin adjective for sunny, referring to the bright orange coloration of abdominal tergite 6.

Holotype. ♀, COSTA RICA: Cartago: Turrialba , 9.93∞N, 83.67∞W, 15–19.vii.1965, P. Spangler [ LACM ENT 003984 ] ( USNM).

Paratypes. BRAZIL: Rio de Janeiro: Jacarepaguá , 1♀, T. Borgmeier ( MZSP) . COSTA RICA: 1♀, same data as holotype ( LACM) ; Alajuela: 20 km S Upala , 1♀, 7.ii.1991, F. D. Parker [Malaise trap] ( EMUS) .

Figures

Figures 56–66. Melaloncha spp., ovipositors. Figs 56–60: dorsal. Figs 61–66: left lateral.