Melaloncha clavata Schmitz, 1927 , p. 164
Revision of the untreated taxa of Melaloncha s. s. bee-killing flies (Diptera: Phoridae)
Brown, Brian V.
Zootaxa
2006
2006-08-03
1280
1
1
68
3Z49V
Schmitz
Schmitz
1927
[264,610,283,310]
Insecta
Phoridae
Melaloncha
Animalia
Diptera
45
46
Arthropoda
species
clavata
Figs. 34, 35
Melaloncha clavata Schmitz, 1927, p. 164, 176, 2 figs. ( ♀; Costa Rica); 1929, p. 146, fig. 36. Borgmeier, 1934 p. 171, fig. 6, pl. 3 fig. 3 ( ♀; type); 1938 p. 45 ( ♂; ex pupa); 1959, p. 184 ( ♂, ♀; Nova Teutônia, Santa Catarina, Brazil).
Holotype: ♀, COSTA RICA(Hungarian National Museum). Probablydestroyed during the Hungarian Revolt. Recognition.The female of this species is easily recognized by the large, laterally flattened, paddleshaped ovipositor. The most similar species, M. gomezi, has the ovipositor smaller and dark brown in color. Although most examined specimens of M. clavataare yellow in color, one is dark brown (see Variation, below). As mentioned previously ( Brown & Kung 2006), the record of the reared male is highly questionable; it could have been any species of Melaloncha. There are no confirmed records of males of this species.
Description.Female (male unknown). Body length 1.6–2.1 mm. Frons yellow, bare of setulae except along eye margin; ocellar triangle black. Mean frontal width 0.47 head width, range 0.45–0.49. Ocular setae yellow to black dorsally, ventrally yellow to brown; genal setae yellow to brown. Flagellomere 1 and segments 1–2 of arista yellow; aristomere 3 black. Palpus yellow; palpal setulae brown, except apical seta black. Scutum yellowishbrown, with posterolateral dark spot. Scutellum yellowishbrown, with anterolateral round black spot. Pleuron yellow except basalare black. Legs yellow. Combined length of foretarsomeres approximately 0.8 length of foretibia. Foretarsal claws recurved, with large basal lobe. Mean costal length 0.48 wing length, range 0.48–0.49. Halter yellow. Abdominal tergites yellow with black posterior strip. Venter of abdomen yellow. Ovipositor yellow with apical dark marking; paddleshaped, laterally flattened; densely setose with long setae dorsally and much shorter ones laterally. Variation.Some specimens have the ovipositor less deep than that figured ( Fig. 34). One exceptional specimen from Mexicois highly divergent in color from all other observed specimens. It differs from the description above as follows: Frons orange to brown near center. Scutum mostly dark brown, slightly lighter brown near anterolateral corners. Scutellum dark brown. Pleuron varied shades of brown. Legs light brown except apical twothirds of hind femur dark brown. Abdominal tergites dark brown with silver pollinosity anteriorly. Venter of abdomen gray. Ovipositor light brown basally, most of apical onehalf dark brown ( Fig. 35). Other than these color differences, it appears to be a specimen of M. clavata.
Host.We have observed this species attacking Plebeiaspp.at Cumbre Alto Beni, Boliviaand Alberge de Heliconia, Costa Rica. Females curl their ovipositor under the body and attack on foot. Geographical distribution. Bolivia, Brazil, Costa Rica.
Material examined. BOLIVIA: La Paz: 40 kmN Caranavi, Cumbre Alto Beni, 15.83°S, 67.56°W, 2♀, 18.iv.2003, 3♀, 19.iv.2003, B. Brown, S. Marcotte, E. Zumbado, 1♀, 14.iv.2004, 1♀, 16.iv.2004, 5♀, 19.iv.2004, 3♀, 21.iv.2004, E. Zumbado, attracted to honey sprayed leaves, 1600 m( CBFC, LACM). BRAZIL: Santa Catarina: Nova Teutônia, 27.18°S, 52.38°W, 1♀, iv.1950, 1♀, v.1952, F. Plaumann, 300–500 m( FMNH, MCZC). COSTA RICA: Alajuela: Alberge de Heliconia, 10.71°N, 85.04°W, 1♀, 20.vi.2000, B. Brown, attacking bees attracked to honey on leaves ( LACM); Cartago: La Suiza, 1♀, xii [no day or year given], P. Schild( USNM); Puntarenas: Sector Altamira, 1 kmSW Cerro Biolley, 1♀, 2–20.iv.1995, L. Angulo, 1300 m, #4690 ( INBC), Las Alturas, 8.95°N, 82.83°W, 2♀, i.1992, P. Hanson, Malaise trap( LACM, MUCR), 1♀, 10–13.vi.1998, B. Brown, V. Berezovskiy, Malaise trap#1, 1600 m( LACM), Las Cruces, 8°N, 82.97°W, 1♀, 16.v.2000, G. Kung, on dead Syagrus coronataflowers ( LACM). MEXICO: Tamaulipas: Gómez Farias, Est. Los Cedros, 23.05°N, 99.15°W, 1.iv.2002, A. CordobaTorres, Malaise, 340 m( LACM).
Costa Rica
Probably
45
46
1
1
holotype
[576,1247,284,310]
Bolivia
Cumbre Alto
46
47
1
La Paz
2003-04-18
2004-04-21
2003-04-18
CBFC, LACM
Brown & S. Marcotte & E. Zumbado & Zumbado
Bolivia
1600
-15.83
Beni
770
-67.56
46
47
15
15
Beni
1950-04
1952-05
1950-04
FMNH, MCZC
Plaumann
Brazil
400
-27.18
Nova Teutonia
743
-52.38
46
47
2
2
Santa Catarina
2000-06-20
LACM
Brown
Costa Rica
10.71
Alberge de Heliconia
778
-85.04
46
47
1
1
Alajuela
USNM
La Suiza & P. Schild
Costa Rica
Cartago
46
47
1
1
Cartago
1995-04-02
1995-04-20
1995-04-02
INBC
Angulo
Costa Rica
1300
Sector Altamira
46
47
1
1
Puntarenas
1992-01
LACM, MUCR
P. Hanson
Costa Rica
8.95
Las Alturas
780
-82.83
46
47
2
2
Puntarenas
1998-06-10
1998-06-13
1998-06-10
LACM
Brown & Berezovskiy
Costa Rica
1600
46
47
1
1
Puntarenas
2000-05-16
LACM
G. Kung
Costa Rica
8.0
Las Cruces
0
-82.97
46
47
1
1
Puntarenas
2002-04-01
LACM
A. Cordoba-Torres & Malaise
Mexico
340
23.05
Est. Los Cedros
754
-99.15
Gomez Farias
46
47
1
Tamaulipas