Melaloncha colossia (Enderlein)

Gonzalez, Lisa & Brown, Brian V., 2004, New species and records of Melaloncha (Udamochiras) bee­killing flies (Diptera: Phoridae), Zootaxa 730, pp. 1-14 : 3

Melaloncha colossia (Enderlein)

Description. This species was redescribed and illustrated by Brown (2004a).

Host. Previously, there was no host information available for this species. We observed females attacking feral honey bees ( A. mellifera ) attracted to organic waste or to honey spray at Urugua­í in Argentina. Flies darted at stationary bees while in flight, attacks that were often repulsed by the bee’s wing fanning.

Distribution. Brazil, plus new records (below) from Argentina and Bolivia.

New Material Examined. ARGENTINA: Misiones: Reserva Vida Silvestre Urugua­í, 25.97°S, 54.11°W, 5Ψ, 10.xii.2003, 2Ψ, 11.xii.2003, 8Ψ, 12.xii.2003, 4Ψ, 15.xii.2003, 4Ψ, 17.xii.2003, 12Ψ, 18.xii.2003, 2Ψ, 21.xii.2003, 3Ψ, 22.xii.2003, 11Ψ, 27.xii.2003, 9Ψ, 28.xii.2003, 7Ψ, 29.xii.2003, B. Brown, L. Gonzalez, G. Kung, honey spray, or organic waste, 400 m (EMUS, LACM, MACN). BOLIVIA: La Paz: 40 km N Caranavi, Cumbre Alto Beni, 15.83°S, 67.56°W, 1Ψ, 17.iv.2004, E. Zumbado, honey spray, 1600 m (LACM).