Melaloncha declivata, 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 : 48

Melaloncha declivata new species

Fig. 37

Recognition. This is a non­descript, yellowish species that is recognized by the narrow, tubular, ventrally­curved ovipositor.

Description. Female (male unknown). Body length 2.1 mm. Frons yellow, bare of setulae except few along eye margin; ocellar triangle black. Frons 0.45 head width. Medial furrow absent. Ocular and genal setae light brown. Flagellomere 1 and aristomeres 1–2 yellow; aristomere 3 black. Palpus white; palpal setulae light brown. Scutum yellowishbrown, with small posterolateral dark spot. Scutellum yellowish­brown, with round anterolateral spot. Pleuron yellowish brown except basalare black. Legs yellowish­brown. Combined length of foretarsomeres 1.1 length of foretibia. Foretarsal claws recurved, with large basal lobe. Costa 0.51 wing length. Halter yellow. Abdominal tergites yellow anteriorly, black posteriorly. Venter of abdomen yellow. Ovipositor yellow at base, mostly black; tubular, narrowing posteriorly, slightly curved ventrally; with scattered short setae.

Host. Unknown.

Geographical distribution. Costa Rica.

Derivation of specific epithet. Latin declivis for sloping downward, referring to the curvature of the ovipositor.

Holotype. ♀, COSTA RICA: Limón: 7km SW Bribri , 9.58°N, 82.88°W, ix–x.1989, P. Hanson, Malaise trap [ LACM ENT 046294 ] ( LACM).

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.