Melaloncha woodi, 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 : 37

MELALONCHA WOODI SP. NOV. ( FIGS 91, 97 )

Recognition. This species is similar to M. ronnai , but the ovipositor is slightly broader ( Fig. 91 ) and has a slight lateral emargination.

Description. Body length 2.2–2.4 mm. Frons orange, except ocellar triangle black. Setal base of all setae coloured like rest of frons. Mean frontal width 0.3 head width; range 0.28–0.32. Frons with fine reticulate sculpturing, not shiny, punctate, with small, black setulae. Median furrow present. Frontal setae normal; arrangement of frontal setae unmodified, with ventral interfrontal setae near venter of frons. Dorsal interfrontal setae present, 0.5 length of postocellar setae, slightly ventral to level of ventral ocellus. Palpus unmodified. Ocular and genal setae flattened, yellow. Fore tarsomeres yellowish-brown, expanded, short. Combined length of fore tarsomeres approximately 0.78 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 enlarged, deeply bifurcate. Mid and hind leg yellowish-brown, with tarsomeres 4–5 and apex of tarsomere 3 of mid leg dark brown dorsally. Mean costal length 0.55 wing length; range 0.52–0.57. Tergite 6 of similar colour to other tergites. Tergites 2–6 lateroventrally black, with silver pollinosity. Venter of abdomen grey. Ovipositor relatively tubular, slightly, dorsoventrally flattened, strongly curved ventrally. In dorsal view, lateral setae of ovipositor minute, sparse. Ventrally, ovipositor with minute, sparse setae. Surface of ovipositor with faint, somewhat longitudinally directed sculpturing.

Geographical distribution. Mexico and Bolivia.

Etymology. Named after Dr D. M. Wood, who collected the holotype specimen.

Holotype. ♀, COSTA RICA: Alajuela: Alberge de Heliconia , 10.71∞N, 85.04∞W, 18.vi.2000, D. M. Wood, Gressitt-style Malaise trap [ LACM ENT 069248 ] ( INBC).

Paratypes. BOLIVIA: Beni: Rio Itenez at mouth of Rio Baures , 1♀, 5.x.1964, J. K. Bouseman, L. Lussenhop ( AMNH) . MEXICO: Chiapas: Palenque , 10.ix.1974, W. Hanson, G. Bohart ( EMUS) .

Figures

Figures 87–97. Melaloncha spp., ovipositors. Fig. 87, dorsal and left lateral. Figs 88–91, dorsal. Figs 92–97, left lateral.