Megaselia tubuslonga Disney & Karimzadeh, 2024

Megaselia tubuslonga Disney & Karimzadeh sp. n.

( Figs 38–50 View FIGS 38–50 )

Diagnosis. In Disney (1989) ’s key to the males of the British species this runs to couplet 30 but neither option fits. 2 subsequently described species also don’t fit. Likewise with similar specie from elsewhere. The single pair of supra-antennal bristles and lack of anterolateral bristles distinguishes our species from most Megaselia species.

Description. Male. Frons as Fig. 38 View FIGS 38–50 , with a single pair of supra-antennal bristles and lack of anterolateral bristles. Fig. 39 View FIGS 38–50 , postpedicels, palps and proboscis. Fig. 40 View FIGS 38–50 , a palp with its SPS vesicles. Fig. 41 View FIGS 38–50 , proboscis from below. Fig. 42 View FIGS 38–50 , side of thorax with a dozen hairs and a bristle on the mesopleuron and 2 notopleural bristles. Scutellum with 4 bristles. Abdomen as Fig. 43 View FIGS 38–50 , there are hairs on segments 5 and 6 only of the venter. Hypopygium as Figs 44 and 45 View FIGS 38–50 , there being vestigial hypandrial lobes only. Front tibia and tarsus as Fig. 46 View FIGS 38–50 , with a near dorsal palisade on segments 1–5 of the tarsus. Fig. 47 View FIGS 38–50 , mid tibia and segments 1 and 2 of tarsus. Fig. 48 View FIGS 38–50 , hind femur. Wing ( Fig. 49 View FIGS 38–50 ) 1.52 mm long. Costal index 0.41. Costal ratios 8.1/2.6/1. Sc runs to R1. Costal cilia 0.09 mm long. No hair at base of vein3. With half a dozen axillary bristles ( Fig. 50 View FIGS 38–50 ) the longest being 0.07 mm long. Halteres brown.

Material examined. Holotype: IRAN • 1 ♂; Esfahan province, Mobarakeh, Arazi ; 32.4036°N, 51.6097 E; alt. 1646 m a.s.l.; 14 Sep. 2022; J. Karimzadeh leg.; reared from larvae of Spodoptera exigua feeding on cauliflower; UCMZ, 26–97; deposited in UCMZ (Cambridge, UK). GoogleMaps

Etymology. Named after the anal tube ( tubus) being long ( longa).