Melaloncha rhampha, Brown, 2004

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 : 16-17

MELALONCHA RHAMPHA SP. NOV. ( FIGS 36, 41 )

Recognition. The ovipositor of this species is most similar to that of M. valeria sp. nov., but differs by being much more slender and having distinctive, longitudinal striations.

Description. Body length 3 mm. Frons orange, except ocellar triangle black. Setal base of all setae coloured like rest of frons. Frons 0.28 head width; with fine reticulate sculpturing, slightly shiny, slightly punctate (punctures shallow, nearly invisible), with small dark setulae. Median furrow present. Frontal setae normal; arrangement of frontal setae unmodified, with ventral interfrontal setae near venter of frons. Dorsal interfrontal setae absent. Palpus lacking apical black seta, probably because of damage to specimen. Ocular and genal setae flattened, yellow. Fore tarsomeres yellowish-brown, relatively narrow. Combined length of fore tarsomeres approximately 0.8 tibial length. Fore tarsomere 1 approximately twice as long as tarsomere 2. Fore tarsomere 5 slightly expanded. Pulvilli of fore leg large. Tarsal claws of all legs enlarged, deeply bifurcate. Mid and hind leg yellowish-brown, with tarsomeres 4–5 and apex of tarsomere 3 of mid leg dark brown dorsally. Costa 0.59 wing length. Tergite 6 of similar colour to other tergites. Tergites 2–6 lateroventrally dark brown to black, with silver pollinosity. Venter of abdomen grey. Ovipositor relatively tubular in shape, apically narrowed and laterally compressed, strongly curved ventrally. In dorsal view, lateral setae of ovipositor minute, sparse. Ventrally, ovipositor with minute, sparse setae. Surface of ovipositor with fine longitudinal striae.

Geographical distribution. Costa Rica.

Etymology. Greek noun rhamphe for a curved knife, referring to the shape of the ovipositor.

Holotype. ♀, COSTA RICA: Heredia: La Selva Biological Station , 10.43∞N, 84.02∞W, 1.vi.1993, ALAS, Malaise trap M/01/108 [INBIOCRI002274109] ( INBC).

Figures

Figures 34–43. Melaloncha spp., ovipositors. Figs 34–37: dorsal. Figs 38–43: left lateral.