Melaloncha, 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 : 10-11

SUBGENUS MELALONCHA BRUES STAT. NOV.

Melaloncha Brues, 1904: 374 . Type species Melaloncha pulchella Brues , by subsequent designation ( Brues, 1906).

Diagnosis. Dorsal interfrontal setae and median frontal furrow absent. Tergites (especially tergite 2) bare or with relatively small setae. Hind tibia lacking anterodorsal rows of enlarged setae. Mid and hind tarsal claws not bifurcate.

Included taxa. Subgenus Melaloncha includes most of the species of the genus. Some of these can be organized into informal groups, based partly on the analysis of phylogenetically informative characters of higher taxa ( Fig. 18 ), and partly on other characters, discussed below.

Group I. These species probably do not form a monophyletic group; rather they are a grade that include M. ( Melaloncha ) species that lack thickened foretarsal claws. Within Group I are the following:

(i) M. punctifrons -group. Includes M. punctifrons Borgmeier and one undescribed species. Both have lost the frontal setae, except those of the vertex.

(ii) M. digitalis -group. Containing M. digitalis Borgmeier and a few undescribed species, this group is characterized by ventral interfrontal setae that are vertically below the fronto-orbital setae, as well as ovipositors that are dorsally curved and densely setose.

(iii) Miscellaneous Group I species. This assemblage includes M. cuspidata Borgmeier , M. flava Borgmeier , M. plaumanni Borgmeier , and at least two undescribed species. If Borgmeier (1971) is correct about the type species of the genus, M. pulchella , being closely related to M. plaumanni , it would also belong here.

Group II. This is another probably nonmonophyletic group whose species have thickened claws, but lack the three-pronged process on intersegment 7–8 (thus excluding them from the M. ungulata -group) and lack wing vein R 2+3 (thus excluding them from the M. furcata -group). Within Group II are the following:

(iv) M. cingulatus -group. Besides M. cingulatus Borgmeier and possibly M. lamellata Borgmeier , contains at least six undescribed species. All have ventral, cercus-like lobes on the ovipositor.

(v) Unnamed species group. At least three undescribed species belong in this group, united by a distinctive ovipositor structure and a fore tibia with a well developed flange.

(vi) Miscellaneous Group II species. This assemblage includes M. clavata Schmitz , M. hyalinipennis Borgmeier , M. maculata Borgmeier , M. palpalis Borgmeier , M. sinistra Borgmeier , M. striatula Borgmeier , M. stylata (Schiner) , and at least 15 undescribed species.

M. furcata -group (including M. furcata -subgroup + M. obscurella -subgroup). Species of both of these subgroups apparently have regained wing vein R 2+3 that is otherwise lost in Melittophora and most Melaloncha (but which is also present in a few M. ( Udamochiras ) species). It is not clear whether the M. furcata - subgroup is monophyletic, but it includes at least M. furcata Borgmeier and ten similar species. The M. obscurella -subgroup have the frons dark and the base of intersegment 7–8 with rows of minute spinuli; included are M. obscurella Borgmeier and at least six undescribed species.

M. ungulata -group. This is a probable monophyletic group that is characterized by the presence of a threepronged process on intersegment 7–8 ( Figs 8, 9 ). It includes:

(i) M. ungulata -subgroup. The females of this group are characterized by the greatly asymmetrical fore tarsal claws, as well as the presence of a large, spine-like seta dorsally near the apex of fore tarsomere 5. There are three described species, M. glabrifrons Borgmeier , M. genitalis Borgmeier , and M. ungulata Borgmeier , and several undescribed species.

(ii) Miscellaneous M. ungulata -group species. Included are M. nigrifrons Borgmeier , M. nigrita Borgmeier and at least 13 undescribed species.

Figures

Figure 18. Cladogram of phylogenetic relationships within Melaloncha.

Figures 8–14. Melaloncha species. Figs 8 & 9: Melaloncha (M.) sp. 22. 8. Posterior segments of ovipositor, dorsal. 9. Same, left lateral. Figs 10–12: Intersegment 7–8, dorsal. 10. M. simillima Borgmeier. 11. M. deinocerca Borgmeier. 12. M. trua sp. nov. Figs 13 & 14: Stylet, M. trua sp. nov. 13, ventral. 14, left lateral.