Myriophora annetteae, 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 : 11

Myriophora annetteae sp. nov.

(Figs 1.6, 9.5, 15.5)

Diagnosis. Female. This species is distinguished by the long setae on the posterior margin of abdominal tergite 5 (e.g. 22.1) and the pair of long, upturned setae on the posteroventral margin of abdominal segment 6 (Fig. 1.6).

Description. Female (Fig. 1.6). Body length 1.96–2.77 mm. Head: Frons dusky yellow, with 1 pair of supraantennal setae; supra-antennals originate above lower interfrontal setae. First flagellomere yellow, slightly pointed under arista. Palpus yellow, normal sized. Labrum prominent, enlarged. Labellum normal sized. Thorax: Scutum dusky yellow. Scutellum dusky yellow. Anterior scutellar setae about 3/4 length of posterior pair. Pleuron yellow; anepisternum with a few setulae. Forefemur yellow. Midfemur yellow. Hind femur yellow. Wing length 1.68–2.49 mm (Fig. 9.5); costal vein normal; costal length 1.05–1.44 mm; mean costal ratio 0.62. Knob of halter light brown. Abdomen: Tergites 1 and 2 contrasting, yellow anteriorly, brown posteriorly; tergite 2 with strong, distinct setae on lateral margin. Tergite 5 contrasting, yellow anteriorly, brown posteriorly; posterior setae on tergite 5 long. Tergite 6 rectangular to slightly narrowing posteriorly; posterodorsal setae on segment 6 shorter than posteroventral setae. Venter of abdomen with sparse, short setae. Oviscape (Fig. 15.5) strongly laterally compressed, with only minute setulae; tergite twice as long as sternite and saddle-shaped, curving ventrally in center; sclerites brown; membrane light brown.

Distribution. Costa Rica to Ecuador.

Host. Myriophora annetteae has been collected from both cyanogenic aphelidesmid ( Polydesmida ) and benzoquinone-producing spirobolidan millipedes.

Etymology. Named for Hash's mother, Janet Annette Hash, for support of his work, including support for fieldwork in Costa Rica that led to understanding more about the biology of this species.

Holotype. ♀, COSTA RICA: Puntarenas: 3km SW Rincon, 8.68°N, 83.48°W, 10m, ix–xi.1989, P. Hanson, Malaise trap [ LACM ENT 048811].

Paratypes. COLOMBIA: Magdalena: PNN Tayrona, Cañaveral , 11.33°N, 74.03°W, 50m, 2♀, 29.ix– 17.x.2000, R. Henriquez, CAP-791, Malaise trap [ LACM ENT 154094, 154130], PNN Tayrona, Zaino , 11.33°N, 74.03°W, 50m, 1♀, 14–30.viii.2000, R. Henriquez, CAP-564, Malaise trap [ LACM ENT 129387]. COSTA RICA: Puntarenas: 3km SW Rincon, 8.68°N, 83.48°W, 10m, 1♀, ix–xi.1989, P. Hanson, Malaise trap [ LACM ENT 048811]. ECUADOR: Pichincha: Maquipucuna Biological Reserve, 0.12°N, 78.63°W, 1300m, 2♀, 3.v.1996, B.V. Brown, injured millipede [ LACM ENT 0 25333, 025340].