Apocephalus analis Borgmeier

Brown, Brian V., 2014, Revision of the Apocephalus analis group of ant-decapitating flies (Diptera: Phoridae), Zootaxa 3857 (4), pp. 551-570 : 561-562

Apocephalus analis Borgmeier

(Figs. 17, 20, 50)

Apocephalus analis Borgmeier, 1958: 318 –320, figs. 1–3, 14.

Syntypes. 14♂, 7♀, BRAZIL: Santa Catarina: Nova Teutônia, v.1945, vii.1956, F. Plaumann (MZSP; one female examined).

Diagnosis. Setae of posterior row of venter of segment 6 with some sclerotization around bases. Oviscape medially with beak shaped swelling. Ventral apex of oviscape only slightly downturned.

Updated description. Body length 1.4–1.8 mm. Frons 0.44–0.46 head width. Flagellomere 1 round, light brown. Pleuron whitish yellow. Costal 0.51–0.57 wing length. Halter light brown. Abdominal tergites light brown, tergites normal sized. Tergite 6 light brown, about as broad as tergite 5, entire, apical margin straight, posterior margin with few elongate thick setae. Venter of abdomen yellowish brown, dark grey near tergites, venter of segments 3–5 with scattered thin setae, venter of intersegment 6–7 membranous. Venter of segment 6 lacking sclerite, setation with posterior, v-shape row of long setae with sclerotization around bases and more anterior, shorter row. Oviscape elongate oval, anterior process broadly elongate, large setae absent. Dorsum of oviscape with apical beak shaped swelling; with two long thin posterolateral setae. Apex broadly truncate, slightly downturned, lacking apical setae. Ventral setae of oviscape absent. Intersegment 7–8 without sclerotization. Anterior arms of stylet anteriorly parallel, well separated, downturned at midlength.

Remarks. There is variation among specimens, with the female from Bahia, Brazil being larger and more setulose, whereas the USA specimens are smaller. These differences are minor relative to those I am using to discern species limits, however, and current evidence supports Borgmeier’s concept of a single widespread species.

Distribution. Southern Brazil, Peru, Ecuador to the southern USA.

Other specimen examined. ECUADOR: Los Rios: Rio Palenque Science Center,.6°S, 79.35°W, 180m, 3♀, 29.iv–5.v.1987, B.Brown, L.Coote, Malaise trap (LACM). BRAZIL: Bahia: Lencois, Rio Mucugezinho, 12.57˚S, 41.38˚W, 24.x.2008, Calor et al., light trap (MZSP). PERU: Madre de Dios: Zona Reserva Manu, Pakitza, 1♀, 23–28.ii.1992, B.Brown, D. Feener, Malaise trap #1 (LACM). USA: Texas: Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, 28.2667°N, 96.8167°W, 1♀, 20.v.1972, W.W.Wirth, Malaise trap (USNM), Kerrville, 30.05°N, 99.15°W, 1♀, vii.1954, L.J.Bottimer, light trap (USNM).