Melaloncha oligoseta Brown 2006, new species

Melaloncha oligoseta new species

Fig. 17

Recognition. This species can be distinguished from the most similar taxa, M. lacerna, M. laselvae, and M. zurquiensis, by the relatively few setae in the apicoventral brush of setae on the ovipositor.

Description. Female (male unknown). Body length 1.9–2.0 mm. Frons orange, with setal bases slightly darker orange to brown, punctate; ocellar triangle black. Mean frontal width 0.37 head width, range 0.36–0.37. Ocular and genal setae black. Flagellomere 1 basally white, apically brown; arista brown. Palpus white; palpal setulae black. Scutum dark brown, slightly lighter anterolaterally. Scutellum dark brown. Pleuron dark brown, except proepisternum and anterior portion of anepisternum light brown. Legs yellowishbrown, except apex of hind femur dark brown. Forefemur dialated, slightly projecting anteriorly along apical one­half. Combined length of foretarsomeres approximately 0.5 length of foretibia. Foretarsal claws relatively small, recurved, with large basal lobe. Mean costal length 0.52 wing length, range 0.52–0.53. Halter yellow. Abdominal tergites black, anteriorly with silver pollinosity. Venter of abdomen light gray. Ovipositor brown; relatively short, only slightly curved dorsally; with dense, fine setae dorsally and five long apical setae at ventrolateral apex.

Host. Unknown.

Geographical distribution. Costa Rica.

Derivation of specific epithet. From Greek oligos for few, referring to the few long apical setae of the ovipositor.

Holotype. ♀, COSTA RICA: Puntarenas: 24 km W Piedras Blancas, 8.77°N, 83.40°W, ii–iii.1989, P. Hanson, Malaise trap, 200 m [LACM ENT 117217] (LACM).

Paratypes. COSTA RICA: Guanacaste: Reserva Privada Karen Mogensen, mirador, 9.87°N, 85.06°W, 1♀, 1.iv.2005, 1♀, 2.iv.2005, B. Brown, W. Porras, E. Zumbado, honey spray, 500 m (INBC, LACM).