Melaloncha muricata, 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 : 15

Melaloncha muricata new species

Fig. 1

Recognition. This species is similar to M. punctifrons in that it has an evenly punctate frons lacking large frontal setae, but differs by the long setae on the apical one­half of the ovipositor.

Description. Female (male unknown). Body length 2.7 mm. Frons yellow, evenly punctate, lacking fronto­orbital and interfrontal setae; ocellar triangle with black band linking ocelli. Frons 0.41 head width. Medial furrow absent. Ocular and genal setae black. Flagellomere 1 white basally, yellow apically. Aristomeres 1–2 light brown, 3 brown. Palpus white; palpal setulae black. Scutum and scutellum yellowish­brown, without dark markings. Pleuron yellow, except basalare black. Legs yellowish­brown. Combined length of foretarsomeres equal to length of foretibia. Foretarsal claws unmodified, without basal lobe. Costa 0.53 wing length. Halter brown. Abdominal tergites yellow anteriorly, black posteriorly; black band incomplete medially. Venter of abdomen yellow. Ovipositor basally yellow, mostly dark brown to black; rounded, narrow, relatively straight; with long straight setae on apical one­half.

Host. Unknown.

Geographical distribution. Costa Rica.

Derivation of specific epithet. Latin muricatus for pointed or spiny, like the shells of the mollusc genus Murex L.

Holotype. ♀, COSTA RICA: Alajuela: 20 km S Upala , 16–24.vii.1991, F. D. Parker [ LACM ENT 114125 ] ( LACM).

Figures

FIGURES 1–4. Melaloncha spp., female. Fig. 1. Ovipositor, dorsal. Fig. 2. Head, anterior. Figure. 3. Ovipositor, left lateral. Fig. 4. Ovipositor, dorsal.