Myriophora harwoodi, 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 : 25-26

Myriophora harwoodi sp. nov.

(Figs 4.3, 11.3, 17.3)

Diagnosis. Female. This species outwardly is most similar to M. jeffersoni but is distinguished by the presence of long setae on the posterior margin of abdominal T5 and most clearly by the oviscape sclerites (Fig. 17.3) that are shallower and restricted mainly to the dorsal and ventral margins. In M. jeffersoni , the oviscape anterior portion of the tergite extends deeply over the lateral face, and the sternite is shaped like a right triangle in lateral view.

Description. Female (Fig. 4.3). Body length 2.10–2.98 mm. Head: Frons dusky yellow, with 2 pairs of supraantennal setae; length of lower supra-antennal setae less than 1/2 of 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 dusky yellow. Scutellum dusky yellow. 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 2.07–2.56 mm (Fig. 11.3); costal vein normal; costal length 1.05–1.37 mm; mean costal ratio 0.54. Knob of halter yellow. Abdomen: Tergites 1 and 2 light brown; tergite 2 with strong, distinct setae on lateral margin. Tergite 5 yellow with brown lateral margins; posterior setae on tergite 5 long. Tergite 6 greatly narrowed posteriorly; posterodorsal setae on segment 6 equal in length to posteroventral setae. Venter of abdomen with sparse, long setae. Oviscape (Fig. 17.3) sclerites brown, strongly laterally compressed, sclerites restricted mostly to the ventral and dorsal margins, apex of sclerites slightly divergent.

Distribution. Eastern United States.

Host. Known to be associated with and reared from Narceus americanus (Spirobolidae) .

Etymology. Named in appreciation of dipterist and Hash's longtime friend, Dr. James F. Harwood, who was instrumental in collecting natural history data for this species.

Holotype. ♀, USA: Florida: Monticello, UF North Florida Res. & Ed. Ctr, 30.54°N, 83.87°W, 31.viii.2002, B. Mizell, Malaise trap [ LACM ENT 166197].

Paratypes. 2♀, USA: Georgia: Andrew's Cove Cmpgd, 6mi N Robertstown, 34.75°N, 83.75°W, 19– 21.v.1988, T. Spanton, Malaise trap [ LACM ENT 307233–4].