Myriophora pallida, Hash, John M. & Brown, Brian V., 2015

Hash, John M. & Brown, Brian V., 2015, Revision of the New World Species of the Millipede-Parasitic Genus Myriophora Brown (Diptera: Phoridae), Zootaxa 4035 (1), pp. 1-79 : 38-39

Myriophora pallida sp. nov.

(Figs 6.7, 13.2, 19.1, 24.4)

Diagnosis. Female. Myriophora pallida is distinguished from most species of Myriophora by the contrasting abdominal coloration having darker anterior tergites and lighter posterior tergites (Fig. 6.7). It is differentiated from similar looking species such as M. luteizona and M. angustifascia by having only few setulae on the anepisternum and lacking the large, differentiated seta.

Description. Female (Fig. 6.7). Body length 1.89–2.45 mm. Head: Frons yellow, with 1 pair of supra-antennal setae; supra-antennals originate above lower interfrontal setae. First flagellomere yellow, slightly pointed under arista. Palpus yellow, normal sized. Labrum prominent, enlarged. Labellum normal sized. Thorax: Scutum dusky yellow. Scutellum dusky yellow. Anterior scutellar setae about 3/4 length of posterior pair. Pleuron yellow; anepisternum with a few setulae. Forefemur yellow. Midfemur yellow. Hind femur yellow. Wing length 1.86–2.31 mm (Fig. 13.2); costal vein normal; costal length 1.05–1.51 mm; mean costal ratio 0.61. Knob of halter light brown. Abdomen: Tergites 1 and 2 light brown; tergite 2 with strong, distinct setae on lateral margin. Tergite 5 yellow; posterior setae on tergite 5 short. Tergite 6 rectangular to slightly narrowing posteriorly; posterodorsal setae on segment 6 equal in length to posteroventral setae. Venter of abdomen with dense, short setae. Oviscape (Figs 19.1, 24.4) sclerites brown; membrane light brown; strongly laterally compressed; division between membrane and sclerites clearly defined; sternite nearly equal in length to tergite.

Distribution. Known from Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.

Host. Unknown but has been collected on unidentified injured millipedes.

Etymology. An adjective from Latin for "pale" referring to the overall pale yellow body color.

Holotype. ♀, ECUADOR: Sucumbios: Sacha Lodge, 0.5°S, 76.5°W, 270m, 13–23.iv.1994, P. Hibbs, Malaise trap [ LACM ENT 037564].

Paratypes. 3♀, same as holotype, 13–25.vii.1994, [ LACM ENT 0 40683, 0 36105, 036132], 1♀, 22.ii– 4.iii.1994, [ LACM ENT 036878], 1♀, 24.v–3.vi.1994, [ LACM ENT 038036], 1♀, 27.viii–10.ix.1994, [ LACM ENT 041192], 1♀, 3–16.viii.1994, [ LACM ENT 041146], 1♀, 4–14.v.1994, [ LACM ENT 020769].

Other material examined. COLOMBIA: Amazonas: Amacayacu NP, Matamata Station, 3.82°S, 70.26°W, 150m, 2♀, 1.ix.1997, B. Brown, G. Kung, injured millipede, 1♀, 17.xii–2.i.2001, A. Parente, CAP-1123, Malaise trap, 3♀, 30.viii.1997, B. Brown, G. Kung, injured millipede, San Martin, PNN Amacayacu, 3.77°S, 70.3°W, 1♀, 22–30.i.2001, B. Amado, Malaise trap, CAP-1311. PERU: Madre de Dios: Pakitza, 11.94°S, 71.28°W, 356m, 5♀, 14.ii.1992, B.V. Brown, injured millipede.