Congomochtherus, Oldroyd, 1970

Jason G. H. Londt, 2014, The Afrotropical Robber Fly Genus Congomochtherus Oldroyd, 1979 (Diptera: Asilidae: Asilinae), African Invertebrates 55 (2), pp. 333-350 : 345

Key to the species of Congomochtherus

This key, modified from that of Londt and Tsacas (1987), includes a few additional characters. Identifications should be checked by comparing male terminalia with the illustrations provided ( Figs 5-11 ), in addition to those supplied by Londt and Tsacas (1987).

1 Katatergal macrosetae predominantly black (accompanied by few, fine white setae) (♂ terminalia as Fig. 8 ) (Central Africa) ............................. lobatus Oldroyd, 1970

- Katatergal macrosetae yellow-white ...................................................................... 2

2 Antennal setae primarily black, a few white basoventrally on scape; postmetacoxal area membranous (bridge absent); female cerci with short spine-like setae (East & southern Africa) ...................................................................................................... 3

- Antennal setae primarily white, a few black distolaterally; postmetacoxal area bridged by a sclerotised bar; female cerci fine setose only (South Africa) ......................... 6

3 All femora with short brown-orange region proximally (East Africa) ................... 4

- Femora uniform black (tiny patches of orange colour may be seen but never on all femora) (southern Africa) ....................................................................................... 5

4 Anatergal setae black; T1 with at least a few black macrosetae laterally; hypandrium with subapical tuft of black setae (♂ terminalia as Fig. 10 ) ...................................... ...................................................................................... penicillatus ( Speiser, 1910)

- Anatergal setae white; T1 with white macrosetae only; hypandrium with apical tuft of white setae (♂ terminalia as Fig. 9 ) .................. oldroydi Londt & Tsacas, 1987

5 Mystax occupying more than half the distance between antennal bases and lower facial margin; male terminalia mainly black, hypandrium with a pair of black, narrowly separated setose tufts distomedially (♂ terminalia as Fig. 6 ) (widespread southern Africa & East Africa) ............................................ elferinki Londt & Tsacas, 1987

- Mystax occupying a little less than half the distance from antennal bases to lower facial margin; male terminalia mainly red-brown, hypandrium with a pair of white, widely separated setose tufts distally (♂ terminalia as Fig. 5 ) (Namibia & Angola). ........................................................................................ acuminatus Oldroyd, 1974

6 At least a few white setae on posterior part of ocellar tubercle; mystax occupying more than half the distance from antennal bases to lower facial margin; male hypandrium with longish, black macrosetae distolaterally (♂ terminalia as Fig. 7 ) (South Africa: Western, Eastern and Northern Cape) ..................... inachus Londt & Tsacas, 1987

- Ocellar setae all black; mystax occupying less than half the distance from antennal bases to lower facial margin; male hypandrium with short, white setae distolaterally (♂ terminalia as Fig. 11 ) (South Africa: Eastern Cape) ............................................ ................................................................................ potamius Londt & Tsacas, 1987

Figures

Figs 5-11.Congomochtherus ♂ terminalia (lateral):(5) C. acuminatus Oldroyd, 1974; (6) C. elferinki Londt & Tsacas, 1987; (7) C. inachus Londt & Tsacas, 1987; (8) C. lobatus Oldroyd, 1970; (9) C. oldroydi Londt & Tsacas, 1987; (10) C. penicillatus (Speiser, 1910); (11) C. potamius Londt & Tsacas, 1987 (Scale bars = 1 mm).