Melaloncha spicula, 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 : 18

MELALONCHA SPICULA SP. NOV. ( FIGS 44, 45 )

Recognition. This species can be recognized by the apically pointed ovipositor that has a ventral swelling and several large setae at the apical one-third ( Fig. 45 ).

Description. Body length 2.5–2.8 mm. Frons orange, except vertex and ocellar region, which are black. Setal base of all setae coloured like rest of frons. Mean frontal width 0.22 head width; range 0.22–0.22. Frons with fine reticulate sculpturing, not shiny, punctate, with small, black setulae. Median furrow faint, but present. Frontal setae normal; arrangement of frontal setae unmodified, with ventral interfrontal setae near venter of frons. Dorsal interfrontal setae present, 0.4 length of postocellar setae, level with ventral ocellus. Palpus unmodified. Ocular and genal setae flattened, yellow. Fore tarsomeres yellowish-brown, relatively narrow. Combined length of fore tarsomeres approximately 0.8 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. Mean costal length 0.53 wing length; range 0.53–0.53. Tergite 6 of similar colour to other tergites. Tergites 2–6 lateroventrally black, with silver pollinosity. Venter of abdomen grey. Ovipositor relatively tubular in shape, apically narrowed, with large ventral expansion at apical onethird, slightly curved ventrally. In dorsal view, lateral setae of ovipositor arranged in basal group of thick setae and more apical group of thin setae. Ventrally, ovipositor with basal and apical group of long, thick setae. Surface of ovipositor with faint, irregular, reticulate sculpturing.

Geographical distribution. Mexico.

Etymology. Latin noun for point, referring to the pointed apex of the ovipositor in lateral view.

Holotype. ♀, MEXICO: Chiapas: Yerba Buena , 8.vi.1969, W. Mason, Malaise trap, 1980 m [ LACM ENT 004006 ] ( LACM).

hamata n. sp.

Paratypes. MEXICO: Pueblo: 5 mi NE Texuitlan, 1♀, 27.vi.1958, University of Kansas Mexico Expedition , 4700 ft ( KSEM) .

Figures

Figures 44–47. M. mexicana-subgroup, ovipositors. Fig. 44, dorsal. Figs 45–47, left lateral. 47, right inset, details of ovipositor apex.