Melaloncha forficata, Brown, 2006

Brown, Brian V., 2006, Revision of the untreated taxa of Melaloncha s. s. bee-killing flies (Diptera: Phoridae), Zootaxa 1280 (1), pp. 1-68 : 50-51

Melaloncha forficata new species

Fig. 40

Recognition. This species differs from the other species with a broadly forked sclerite of intersegment 7–8, M. torquata , by the dorsally curved ovipositor and the straight posterior margin of the sclerite. It is also similar to M. maculata , which however has the apex of intersegment 7–8 broadly pointed.

Description. Female (male unknown). Body length 1.6–1.9 mm. Frons orange, bare of setulae except few near eye margin and one near midlength at medial one­third of frons; ocellar triangle black. Mean frontal width 0.41 head width, rand 0.38–0.46. Medial furrow absent. Ocular setae black dorsally, brown laterally and ventrally; genal setae brown. Flagellomere 1 white basally, yellow apically; aristomeres 1–2 yellow, 3 brown. Palpus white; palpal setulae black to brown. Scutum yellowish­brown, with posterior dark brown U­shaped marking. Scutellum dark brown, with anterolateral black, round spot faintly visible. Pleuron yellow, except basalare black. Legs yellowish­brown. Combined length of foretarsomeres 0.95 length of foretibia. Foretarsal claws relatively small, recurved, with large basal lobe. Mean costal length 0.47 wing length, range 0.46–0.49. Halter yellow. Abdominal tergites yellow anteriorly, black posteriorly. Venter of abdomen yellow. Ovipositor yellow at base, mostly black; slightly curved dorsally; with sparse, even, setae of medium length; setae erect dorsally; dorsal sclerite of intersegment 7–8 elongate, apically expanded, with straight posterior margin.

Host. In Bolivia, females were attracted to aggregations of Plebeia sp. and Partamona mulata Moure , although no oviposition attempts were observed.

Geographical distribution. Brazil and Bolivia.

Derivation of specific epithet. Latin forficatus for forked, referring to the shape of the apex of the sclerite of intersegment 7–8.

Holotype. ♀, BOLIVIA: La Paz: near Mapiri, Arroyo Tuhiri , 15.28°S, 68.25°W, 12.iv.2004, B. Brown, honey­spray, 500 m [ LACM ENT 194082 ] ( CBFC).

Paratypes. BOLIVIA: 1♀, same data as holotype ( LACM) . BRAZIL: Amazonas : 60 km N Manaus, Reserva Campina, 2.5°S, 60.0°W, 1♀, 8–19.vi.1992, J. Vidal ( INPA) .

Figures

FIGURES 32–42. Melaloncha spp., female, ovipositor, left lateral (except Fig. 40, bottom). Figures. 39 and 40 showing intersegmental membrane and sclerite of intersegment 7–8.