Revision of the subgenus Udamochiras of Melaloncha bee-killing flies (Diptera: Phoridae: Metopininae)

The genus Melaloncha Brues is defined and groundplan character states established based on outgroup comparison with Phalacrotophora Enderlein and Melittophora Brues. Major groupings within Melaloncha are recognized, and two subgenera are established: Udamochiras Enderlein (type species M. colossia (Enderlein)) and Melaloncha s.s. (type species M. pulchella Brues). Subgenus Udamochiras is revised and 42 species are recognized, including the following 33 new to science: M. anaticula, M. angustifrons, M. apicula, M. aprica, M. basella, M. biseta, M. brevicarina, M. carinata, M. compressicauda, M. exigua, M. falcata, M. flavilata, M. hamata, M. hansoni, M. horologia, M. individa, M. lobata, M. maculifrons, M. parkeri, M. paxilla, M. premordica, M. rhampha, M. rhypopoda, M. rostrata, M. sinuosa, M. spatula, M. spicula, M. triangularis, M. trua, M. valeria, M. vargasi, M. villosa, M. woodi. Melaloncha simillima Borgmeier is removed from synonymy with M. piliapex Borgmeier and reinstated as a separate species; lectotypes are designated for both. (C) 2004 The Linnean Society of London.