Melaloncha umbra, 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 : 36

Melaloncha umbra new species

Fig. 24

Recognition. This species is distinguished by its relatively long foretarsus, black scutum, and short, straight ovipositor.

Description. Female (male unknown). Body length 2.3 mm. Frons orange, evenly setulose; ocellar triangle black. Frons 0.34 head width. Medial furrow absent. Ocular and genal setae black. Flagellomere 1 orange­yellow, arista brown. Palpus white; palpal setulae black. Scutum and scutellum black. Pleuron dark brown to black. Legs yellowishbrown, except apex of hind femur with large dark brown spot. Combined length of foretarsomeres 1.1 length of foretibia. Foretarsal claws recurved, with large basal lobe. Costa 0.47 wing length. Halter yellow. Abdominal tergites black, with silver pollinosity anteriorly. Venter of abdomen gray. Ovipositor black; relatively short, straight, flattened dorsally, relatively broad in dorsal view, with pointed apex in dorsal view; with relatively long lateral setae dorsally; long lateral setae visible in dorsal view.

Host. Unknown. The single specimen was attracted to a mixed aggregation of bees.

Geographical distribution. Bolivia.

Derivation of specific epithet. Latin for shade or shadow, referring to the darkcolored scutum.

Holotype. ♀, BOLIVIA: La Paz: 40 km N Caranavi, Cumbre Alto Beni, 15.83°S, 67.56°W, 16.iv.2003, B. Brown, S. Marcotte, E. Zumbado, honey spray, 1600 m [ LACM ENT 181244 ] ( CBFC).

Figures

FIGURES 13–24. Melaloncha spp., female, ovipositor. Figs. 13–21. Left lateral. Figs. 22–24. Dorsal.