Lobata, 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 : 31

MELALONCHA LOBATA SP. NOV. ( FIGS 78, 85 )

Recognition. This species resembles M. simillima , but has more setae on the ovipositor and an extraordinary ventral lobe on abdominal segment 6 ( Fig. 85 ).

Description. Body length 2.4 mm. Frons orange, except ocellar triangle black. Setal base of all setae coloured like rest of frons. Frons 0.24 head width; with fine reticulate sculpturing, slightly shiny, punctate, with small, pale 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 margin of ventral ocellus. Palpus unmodified. Ocular and genal setae flattened, yellow. Fore tarsomeres yellowish-brown, expanded, short. 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. Costa 0.59 wing length. Tergite 6 of similar colour to other tergites. Tergites 2–6 lateroventrally black, with silver pollinosity. Venter of abdomen grey. Ovipositor relatively tubular, broad at dorsal apex, slightly curved ventrally. In dorsal view, lateral setae of ovipositor numerous, thin. Ventrally, ovipositor bare, although lateral setae extend ventrally. Surface of ovipositor with faint, irregular, reticulate sculpturing. Intersegement 7–8 elongate, with elongate apical process and dorsal sclerite ( Fig. 85 ).

Geographical distribution. Costa Rica.

Etymology. Latin adjective referring to the lobe-like expansion on the venter of abdominal segment 6.

Holotype. ♀, COSTA RICA: Alajuela: 20 km S Upala ,

Figures

Figures 76–86. Melaloncha spp., ovipositors. Figs 76–80: dorsal. Figs 81–86: left lateral. Fig. 85 additionally shows details of abdominal segment 6, intersegment 7–8 and stylet.