Melaloncha premordica, 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 : 13-14

MELALONCHA PREMORDICA SP. NOV. ( FIGS 30, 33 )

Recognition. This species differs from the other mostly yellow species, M. carinata , by the much more setose ovipositor and the shorter dorsal carina ( Fig. 30 ).

Description. (Note: the head is missing from the single known specimen). Body length 2.4 mm (minus head). Thorax and abdomen almost completely dark yellow. Fore tarsomeres yellow, relatively narrow. Combined length of fore tarsomeres approximately 1.2 tibial length. Fore tarsomere 1 approximately twice as long as tarsomere 2. Fore tarsomere 5 relatively narrow. Pulvilli of fore leg relatively small. Tarsal claws of all legs small, finely bifurcate at apex. Mid and hind leg yellow, except tarsomeres brown on medial surface. Costa 0.49 wing length. Tergites orange-yellow with posterior brown strip, which comprises about one-half of tergite 6; anterolateral corner of tergites 2 and 6 with silver pollinosity. Tergites 2–6 with several small and one large seta. Venter of abdomen yellow. Ovipositor relatively tubular, with median carina, relatively straight. In dorsal view, lateral setae of ovipositor large, numerous. Ventrally, ovipositor with short, fine, dense setae. Surface of ovipositor with faint, irregular, reticulate sculpturing.

Geographical distribution. South-eastern Brazil.

Etymology. Latin adjective, loosely meaning biting off in front, referring to the shortened dorsal carina of the ovipositor.

Holotype. ♀, BRAZIL: Nova Teutônia , 27.18∞S, 52.38∞W, iii.1972, F. Plaumann, 300–500 m [ LACM ENT 122441 ]( MZSP).

Figures

Figures 28–33. M. carinata-group. Figs 28–30: ovipositors, dorsal. Figs 31–33: ovipositors, left lateral.