Melaloncha erinacea, Brown, 2006

Brown, Brian V., 2006, Revision of the untreated taxa of Melaloncha s. s. bee-killing flies (Diptera: Phoridae), Zootaxa 1280 (1), pp. 1-68 : 49-50

Melaloncha erinacea new species

Fig. 39

Recognition. This species can be recognized by the setose frons, the dense, even setation of the evenly dorsally­curved ovipositor, and the distinctive sclerite of intersegment 7–8, that has a curved dorsal lobe.

Description. Female (male unknown). Body length 2.0– 2.7 mm. Frons orange, evenly setulose; ocellar triangle and area immediately surrounding it dark brown to black. Mean frontal width 0.35 head width, range 0.32–0.38. Medial furrow absent. Ocular and genal setae black. Flagellomere 1 orange, except white ventrobasally; arista brown. Palpus white; palpal setulae black. Scutum dark brown, except anterolateral corner light brown. Scutellum dark brown. Anterior portion of anepisternum light brown, rest of pleuron mostly dark brown with some lighter markings. Legs yellowish brown, except apex of hind femur with dark brown spot. Combined length of foretarsomeres approximately 0.80 length of foretibia. Foretarsal claws recurved, with large basal lobe. Mean costal length 0.51 wing length, range 0.49–0.53. Halter yellow. Abdominal tergites black, anteriorly with silver pollinosity. Venter of abdomen whitish yellow. Ovipositor basally brown, mostly black; tubular, broad, evenly curved dorsally; densely setose, with longest setae posterolaterally; intersegment 7–8 with dorsal, clavate process.

Host. Unknown.

Geographical distribution. Costa Rica

Derivation of specific epithet. Latin erinaceus for hedgehog, referring to the dense setation of the ovipositor.

Holotype. ♀, COSTA RICA: San José: Zurquí de Moravia , 10.05°N, 84.02°W, iv.1991, P. Hanson, Malaise trap, 1600 m [ LACM ENT 034186 ] ( LACM).

Paratype. COSTA RICA: San José: Escazu , 1♀, 24–30.i.1988, F. D. Parker ( EMUS) .

Figures

FIGURES 32–42. Melaloncha spp., female, ovipositor, left lateral (except Fig. 40, bottom). Figures. 39 and 40 showing intersegmental membrane and sclerite of intersegment 7–8.