Melaloncha paxilla, 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 : 24

MELALONCHA PAXILLA SP. NOV. ( FIGS 57, 62 )

Recognition. This species differs from M. aprica by having a narrower ovipositor with a dorsoapical, pegshaped process ( Fig. 57 ).

Description. Body length 2.1–2.2 mm. Frons orange, except ocellar triangle black. Setal base of all setae coloured like rest of frons. Mean frontal width 0.30 head width; range 0.29–0.31. Frons with fine reticulate sculpturing, slightly shiny, weakly punctate, with small, pale setulae. Median furrow absent. 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, slightly ventral to level of ventral ocellus. Palpus unmodified. Ocular and genal setae flattened, yellow. Fore tarsomeres yellowish-brown, slightly expanded. Combined length of fore tarsomeres approximately 0.6 tibial length. Fore tarsomere 1 approximately twice as long as tarsomere 2. Fore tarsomere 5 slightly expanded. Pulvilli of fore leg large. Tarsal claws of all legs small, finely bifurcate at apex. Mid and hind leg yellowish-brown. Mean costal length 0.52 wing length; range 0.51–0.53. Tergite 6 with all but posterolateral corners orange. Tergites 2– 6 lateroventrally orange. Venter of abdomen yellow. Ovipositor slightly dorsoventrally flattened; basally broad (but slightly narrower than in M. aprica ), narrowing apically; with prominent lateral emargination; relatively straight, with dorsomedial process. In dorsal view, lateral setae of ovipositor thin, short. Ventrally, ovipositor with short, fine, sparse setae. Surface of ovipositor with faint, irregular, reticulate sculpturing.

Geographical distribution. Mexico.

Etymology. Latin noun paxillus for nail or peg, referring to the small, peg-like process on the ovipositor.

Holotype. ♀, MEXICO: Puebla: 3 mi NW Petlalcingo , 4.iii.1972, F. Parker, D. Miller [ LACM ENT 055909 ] ( USNM).

Paratype. MEXICO: Jalisco: Puerto Vallarta , 1♀, 25.i.1984, G. E. Bohart [Malaise trap] ( LACM) .

Figures

Figures 56–66. Melaloncha spp., ovipositors. Figs 56–60: dorsal. Figs 61–66: left lateral.