Melaloncha

Melaloncha is a genus of phorid flies (Diptera: Phoridae) commonly referred to as "bee-killing flies". They are found almost exclusively in the Neotropical realm, although there is one record from extreme southern Texas, United States. They are small flies, usually about in length. No true fossils are known, although there are some specimens in Colombian copal, of unknown (but likely relatively recent) age.

==Life history== thumb|alt=female fly attacking bee|Female M. acoma attacking host stingless bee|left Species of Melaloncha are parasitoids of bees, especially stingless bees (Meliponini), but also introduced European honey bees (Apis mellifera), bumblebees (Bombus), and halictid bees (Megalopta). Some attack their hosts while flying, darting down to lay their eggs; others land, curl their ovipositor under their bodies and rush their hosts on foot (as in M. acoma, see photo); a few carefully land on their host and stealthily inject their egg.