Melaloncha simillima, BORGMEIER

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 : 35-36

MELALONCHA SIMILLIMA BORGMEIER ( FIGS 10 , 88, 93 )

Melaloncha simillima Borgmeier, 1938: 52 , figs 14–16. Melaloncha piliapex: Borgmeier, 1959: 175, 1971: 126

(in part).

Lectotype. Because of past confusion of M. piliapex with this species, I here designate a lectotype from the type series to fix the concept of M. simillima : ♀, BRAZIL: Santa Catarina: Nova Teutônia, 27.18∞S, 52.38∞W, vii.1937, F. Plaumann [LACM ENT 122386] (MZSP).

Recognition. This species can be recognized by the long, ventral setae of the ovipositor that extend along its entire length ( Fig. 93 ). Unlike M. piliapex , with which it was previously confused, M. simillima has no enlarged, dorsoapical setae.

Description. Body length 2.2–3.4 mm. Frons orange, except ocellar triangle black. Setal base of all setae coloured like rest of frons. Mean frontal width 0.26 head width. Range 0.26–0.27. Frons with fine reticulate sculpturing; slightly shiny. Frons punctate, with small, black setulae. Median furrow faint, but 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 yellowishbrown, slightly expanded. Combined length of fore tarsomeres approximately 0.8 tibial length. Fore tarsomere 1 approximately twice as long as tarsomere 2. Fore tarsomere 5 expanded. Pulvilli of fore leg large. Tarsal claws of all legs small, finely bifurcate at apex. Mid and hind leg yellowish-brown, with tarsomeres 4–5 and apex of tarsomere 3 of mid leg dark brown dorsally. Mean costal length 0.56 wing length. Range 0.53–0.6. Tergite 6 of similar colour to other tergites. Tergites 2–6 lateroventrally black, with silver pollinosity. Venter of abdomen grey. Ovipositor relatively tubular. Ovipositor slightly curved ventrally. In dorsal view, lateral setae of ovipositor thin, short, relatively numerous. Ventrally, ovipositor with long, thin, sparse setae. Surface of ovipositor with faint, irregular, reticulate sculpturing. Intersegment 7–8 darkened basally, with dorsal, pointed sclerite flanked by posterolateral expansions ( Fig. 10 ).

Geographical distribution. Costa Rica and Brazil.

Other material examined. BRAZIL: Santa Catarina: Nova Teutônia , 27.18∞S, 52.38∞W, 1 lectotype ♀, iii.1937, 5 lectotype ♀, vii.1937, 1♀, vi.[no year], 4♀, [no date], F. Plaumann ( LACM, MZSP) . COSTA RICA: Alajuela: 20 km S Upala , 1♀, 14.ii.1991, 1♀, 12.iii.1991, F. D. Parker, [Malaise trap] ( EMUS, LACM) ; Guanacaste: 14 km S Cañas , 1♀, 20– 24.iii.1989, F. D. Parker, [Malaise trap] ( EMUS) ; Heredia: La Selva Biological Station , 10.43∞N, 84.02∞W, 1♀, 1.vi.1993, ALAS, Malaise trap M/01/108, 1♀, 1.iii.1994, ALAS, Malaise trap M/01/360 ( INBC, LACM) ; Limón: R. B. Hitoy Cerere, Valle la Estrella , 1♀, vii.1994, J. F. Quesada, 100 m, #3174 ( INBC) ; Puntarenas: 5.5 km SW Rincon, Tropical Youth Center , 8.70∞N, 83.51∞W, 1♀, 20.vii.2002, L. Gonzalez, honey-sprayed undergrowth ( LACM) .

Figures

Figures 8–14. Melaloncha species. Figs 8 & 9: Melaloncha (M.) sp. 22. 8. Posterior segments of ovipositor, dorsal. 9. Same, left lateral. Figs 10–12: Intersegment 7–8, dorsal. 10. M. simillima Borgmeier. 11. M. deinocerca Borgmeier. 12. M. trua sp. nov. Figs 13 & 14: Stylet, M. trua sp. nov. 13, ventral. 14, left lateral.

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