Congomochtherus oldroydi Londt & Tsacas, 1987

Jason G. H. Londt, 2014, The Afrotropical Robber Fly Genus Congomochtherus Oldroyd, 1979 (Diptera: Asilidae: Asilinae), African Invertebrates 55 (2), pp. 333-350 : 342

Congomochtherus oldroydi Londt & Tsacas, 1987

Figs 9 , 19

Congomochtherus penicillatus: Oldroyd 1970: 308 .

Congomochtherus oldroydi Londt & Tsacas, 1987: 35 (figs 33-39 ♂ terminalia, 40 ♀ spermathecae).

Previously recorded material: Londt & Tsacas (1987) listed the following material: KENYA: 1♂ 1♀ (paratypes), between Guaso-Nyeri and Narosura [c. 1°18'S 36°14'E, c. 1400 m], 27.ii.1914 (BMNH); 1♀ (paratype), Masai Reserve [Masai Mara c. 1°29'S 35°08'E, c. 1560 m], Ngasemarok [?], A. D. Luckman, 6000' (BMNH); 2♂ (holotype & paratype), Narosura [1°32'S 35°51'E, c. 1860 m] River, xi.1912, Lowe, 1913 (BMNH).

Newly recorded material: KENYA: 1♀, Baringo, Lake Bogoria Nat. Res., 00°11'N 36°08'E, 1100 m, 21.xi.1992, Londt & Whittington, Fig Tree camp site (NMSA); 2♂ 1♀, Nakuru, Hell's Gate Nat. Park, 00°57'S 36°19'E, 1900 m, 26.xi.1992, Whittington & Londt, Ngorowa Gorge - stream (NMSA).

Distribution ( Fig. 19 ), phenology ( Table 1 ) and biology: This is currently a Kenyan endemic known from only five localities, two of which represent samples collected by me. I can, therefore, testify to the fact that this species was found resting on rocks on the banks of Lake Bogoria and in a stream running through the Ngorowa Gorge. Its behaviour closely resembles that of the southern African species. The Bogoria record is of particular interest as this lake, well known for its steaming geysers, has hot water, a fact that does not appear to have a negative impact on these flies. Although the species has been collected in November and February, known localities straddle the equator and it is probable that the species is active in the adult phase throughout the year. There are no prey records and biological information is confined to what has been said here.

Figures

Fig. 19. East African distribution of Congomochtherus oldroydi Londt (circles) & Tsacas, 1987 and C. penicillatus (Speiser, 1910) (squares).

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).