Melaloncha triangularis, Brown, 2004

Brown, Brian V., 2004, Revision of the subgenus Udamochiras of Melaloncha beekilling flies (Diptera: Phoridae: Metopininae), Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 140 (1), pp. 1-42 : 36-37

MELALONCHA TRIANGULARIS SP. NOV. ( FIGS 89, 95 )

Recognition. This species is recognized by the distinctive, pointed apex of the ovipositor, giving it a triangular shape in lateral view ( Fig. 95 ).

Description. Body length 2.8–3.1 mm. Frons orange, except ocellar triangle black. Setal base of all setae coloured like rest of frons. Mean frontal width 0.29 head width; no range. Frons with fine reticulate sculpturing, slightly shiny, punctate, with small, black setulae. Median furrow faint, but present. Frontal setae normal; arrangement of frontal setae unmodified, with ventral interfrontal setae near venter of frons. Dorsal interfrontal setae present, 0.6 length of postocellar setae, level with ventral ocellus in holotype, just dorsal to dorsal fronto-orbital seta in paratype. Palpus unmodified. Ocular and genal setae flattened, yellow. Fore tarsomeres yellowish-brown, slightly expanded. Combined length of fore tarsomeres approximately 0.8 tibial length. Fore tarsomere 1 approximately twice as long as tarsomere 2. Fore tarsomere 5 relatively narrow. Pulvilli of fore leg large. Tarsal claws of all legs small, finely bifurcate at apex. Mid and hind leg yellowish-brown, with tarsomeres 4–5 and apex of tarsomere 3 of mid leg dark brown dorsally. Mean costal length 0.54 wing length; range 0.52–0.55. Tergite 6 of similar colour to other tergites. Tergites 2–6 lateroventrally black, with silver pollinosity. Venter of abdomen grey. Ovipositor relatively tubular, slightly, dorsoventrally flattened at apex, slightly curved ventrally, triangular in lateral view. In dorsal view, lateral setae of ovipositor thin, short, relatively numerous. Ventrally, ovipositor with short, fine, sparse setae. Surface of ovipositor with faint, irregular, reticulate sculpturing.

Variation. As noted in the description above, the placement of the dorsal interfrontal setae differs widely between the holotype and paratype.

Geographical distribution. Costa Rica and Brazil.

Etymology. Latin adjective for triangular, referring to the shape of the apex of the ovipositor.

Holotype. ♀, COSTA RICA: Puntarenas: Arenal Conservation Area, San Luis Monteverde, Buen Amigo , v.1994, Z. Fuentes, 1000–1350 m, #2926 [INBIOCRI001893901] ( INBC).

Paratype. BRAZIL: Nova Teutônia , 27.18∞S, 52.38∞W, 1♀, 10.vii.1936, F. Plaumann ( MZSP) .

Figures

Figures 87–97. Melaloncha spp., ovipositors. Fig. 87, dorsal and left lateral. Figs 88–91, dorsal. Figs 92–97, left lateral.