Megaselia noctuidpasco Disney & Karimzadeh sp. n.

(Figs 27–37)

Diagnosis. In Disney (1989) ’s key to the males of the British species this runs to couplet 76, but neither option fits. 6 subsequent additions differ in their hypopygia, costal index and other details. Likewise with similar specie from elsewhere.

Description. Male. Frons as Fig. 27. Postpedicels, which lack SPS vesicles as Fig. 28. Palp and proboscis as Fig. 29. Side of thorax as Fig. 30. Scutellum with an anterior pair of small hairs and a posterior pair of bristles. Abdomen (Fig. 31) with hairs on segments 3-6 of venter. Hypopygium as Figs 32 & 33, the long hypandrial lobe of the right side is very pale, that of the right side is vestigial. Front tarsus (Fig. 34) with a near dorsal palisade on segments 1–5 and some small spinules on the basitarsus. Mid tibia as Fig. 35. Hind femur and tibia as Fig. 36. Wing (Fig. 37) 1.09 mm long. Costal index 0.38. Costal ratios 4.04/1.05/1. Sc free. Costal cilia 0.08 mm long. Vein 3 hair 0.03. with 2 unequal axillary bristles, the outer on 0.09 mm long. Halteres brown (Fig. 31).

Material examined. Holotype: IRAN • 1 ♂; Esfahan province, Mobarakeh, Arazi; 32.4036°N, 51.6097 E; alt. 1646 m a.s.l.; 14 Sep. 2022; J. Karimzadeh leg.; reared from larvae of Spodoptera exigua feeding on cauliflower; UCMZ, 26–97; deposited in UCMZ (Cambridge, UK).

Etymology. Named after the fact that noctuid larvae supply it with (pasco) feed. The specific name is a noun in nominative case.