Melaloncha plaumanni Borgmeier

Brown, Brian V., 2006, Revision of the untreated taxa of Melaloncha s. s. bee-killing flies (Diptera: Phoridae), Zootaxa 1280 (1), pp. 1-68 : 25-26

Melaloncha plaumanni Borgmeier

Fig. 12

Melaloncha plaumanni Borgmeier, 1938, p. 48 , figs. 7–9 (♂, ♀; Nova Teutônia , Santa Catarina).

Lectotype. In order to stabilize the concept of this name, I here designate one specimen from Borgmeier’s syntype series as the lectotype: ♀, BRAZIL: Santa Catarina: Nova Teutônia , 27.18°S, 52.38°W, vii.1937, F. Plaumann [ LACM ENT 027750 ] (examined; MZSP).

Recognition. The females of this species are recognized by the highly unusual glabrous dorsal surface of the midtibia. This part of the leg usually bears an anterodorsal row of setae, a few irregular longitudinal setal palisades, and a posterodorsal row of setae, all of which are missing in M. plaumanni females. Additionally, the slightly clavate ovipositor is distinctive.

Males are keyed by Borgmeier (1971b). The midtibia is relatively normal in males.

Description. Female. Body length 2.3–2.5 mm. Frons yellow, evenly setose and punctate; ocellar triangle black. Mean frontal width 0.31 head width, range 0.30–0.32. Ocular and genal setae black. Flagellomere 1 orange, relatively small, arista dark brown. Palpus yellow; palpal setulae black, large. Scutum dark brown, except light brown at anteromedial corners. Scutellum dark brown, except posterior margin light brown. Pleuron varied light and dark brown, with silver pollinosity. Legs yellowish­brown, except apex of hind femur with dark brown spot. Combined length of foretarsomeres approximately 0.8 length of foretibia. Foretarsal claws unmodified, relatively long, without basal lobe. Mean costal length 0.46 wing length, range 0.45–0.46. Halter yellow. Abdominal tergites black, with silver pollinosity on anterior three­quarters, except tergite 6 yellowish­brown posteriorly. Ovipositor basally yellow, mostly black; laterally flattened, slightly clavate; with scattered short setae, mostly laterally.

Male. Frons yellow, evenly setulose and punctate; ocellar triangle black. Flagellomere 1 and aristomeres 1–2 orange; aristomere 3 brown. Palpus yellow; palpal setulae black, large. Postocular and genal setae black. Scutum dark brown, except light brown at anteromedial corners. Pleuron varied light and dark brown, with silver pollinosity. Legs yellowish­brown, except apex of hind femur with dark brown spot. Abdominal tergites black, anteriorly with silver pollinosity. Venter of abdomen black. Cercus yellow. Epandrium with short scattered setae.

Host. Unknown.

Geographical distribution. Southeastern Brazil.

Other material examined. BRAZIL: Santa Catarina: Nova Teutônia , 27.18°S, 52.38°W, 3♂, 4♀, vii.1937, 1♂, vi.1937, F. Plaumann ( FMNH, MZSP, MCZC, USNM) .

Figures

FIGURES 9–12. Melaloncha spp., female, ovipositor, left lateral.