Myriophora jeffersoni, Hash, John M. & Brown, Brian V., 2015

Hash, John M. & Brown, Brian V., 2015, Revision of the New World Species of the Millipede-Parasitic Genus Myriophora Brown (Diptera: Phoridae), Zootaxa 4035 (1), pp. 1-79 : 28-29

Myriophora jeffersoni sp. nov.

(Figs 4.8, 11.8, 17.8)

Diagnosis. Female. Myriophora jeffersoni is most similar to M. harwoodi but is distinguished by the short setae on the posterior margin of abdominal tergite 6 and the deeper oviscape sclerites extending farther over the lateral face (Fig 17.8).

Description. Female (Fig. 4.8). Body length 2.28–2.70 mm. Head: Frons brown, with 2 pairs of supraantennal setae; length of lower supra-antennal setae greater than 1/2 the length of upper pair; upper supra-antennals originate above lower interfrontal setae. First flagellomere yellow, rounded under arista. Palpus yellow, normal sized. Labrum prominent, enlarged. Labellum normal sized. Thorax: Scutum light brown. Scutellum light brown. Anterior scutellar setae near equal in length to posterior pair. Pleuron yellow; anepisternum with setulae and one large seta. Forefemur yellow. Midfemur yellow. Hind femur yellow with brown patch distally on anterior surface. Wing length 2.00– 2.63 mm (Fig. 11.8); costal vein normal; costal length 1.05–1.30 mm; mean costal ratio 0.54. Knob of halter yellow. Abdomen: Tergites 1 and 2 brown; tergite 2 with strong, distinct setae on lateral margin. Tergite 5 light brown; posterior setae on tergite 5 short. Tergite 6 greatly narrowed posteriorly; posterodorsal setae on segment 6 equal in length to posteroventral setae. Venter of abdomen with sparse short setae. Oviscape (Fig. 17.8) sclerites reddish brown; membrane whitish with brown striations; strongly laterally compressed; sternite deep anteriorly and gradually tapering toward apex.

Distribution. Eastern United States.

Host. Unknown.

Etymology. Named for the third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson (April 13, 1743 – July 4, 1826).

Holotype. ♀, USA: Virginia: Dunnsville, 1.6km S, 37.85°N, 76.81°W, 29.iv.1991, D. Smith, Malaise trap [ LACM ENT 307216].

Paratypes. USA: Georgia: Andrew's Cove Cmpgd, 6mi N Robertstown, 34.75°N, 83.75°W, 5♀, 19– 21.v.1988, T. Spanton, Malaise trap [ LACM ENT 307218–22], 1♀, 19–22.v.1988, E. Fuller, Malaise trap [ LACM ENT 003777]; North Carolina: Standing Indian Cmpgd, 15km SW Franklin, 35.11°N, 83.5°W, 1♀, 27–29.v.1988, E. Fuller, Malaise trap [ LACM ENT 307223]; Virginia: Dunnsville, 1.6km S, 37.85°N, 76.81°W, 1♀, 29.iv.1991, D. Smith, Malaise trap [ LACM ENT 307217].