Ancylorhynchus fulvicollis ( Bigot, 1879 )

Londt, Jason G. H., 2011, A review of Afrotropical Ancylorhynchus Berthold, 1827 (Diptera: Asilidae: Stenopogoninae), African Invertebrates 52 (2), pp. 471-471 : 490-495

Ancylorhynchus fulvicollis ( Bigot, 1879)

Figs 7 , 37 , 78–80 , 151

Xyphocerus fulvicollis: Bigot 1879: 429 .

Ancylorrhynchus fulvicollis: Kertész 1909: 101 (catalogue); Hull 1960: 217; Oldroyd 1974: 34. Ancylorrhynchus zonalis Bromley, 1936: 137 ; Hull 1960: 217; Oldroyd 1974: 32. Syn. n. Ancylorhynchus fulvicollis: Oldroyd 1980: 360 (catalogue).

Ancylorhynchus zonalis: Oldroyd 1980: 360 (catalogue).

Redescription:

Male.

Holotype fulvicollis (Condition: Poor; both antennae missing; mesonotum cracked (but largely intact); both prothoracic legs broken off beyond tibiae; right mesothoracic leg missing; right metathoracic leg broken off beyond coxa; right wing missing; right halter broken off at midlength.):

Head: Black, fine silver-grey pruinose, pale yellow and brown-orange setose. Antenna ( Fig. 37 ): Missing. Face black, uniformly fine silver-grey pruinose, mystax mixed brown-orange and pale yellow (dorsocentrally), occupying ventral ½ of face. Frons and vertex black, fine silver-grey pruinose, pale yellow setose; ocellar tubercle fine pale yellow setose (no macrosetae). Occiput black, uniformly fine silver-grey pruinose, setae mostly brown-orange, but a few pale yellow dorsally. Palpus red-brown, red-brown setose, terminal palpomere swollen, apex projecting with terminal sensory pit. Proboscis red-brown, brown-orange setose.

Thorax: Black with orange areas dorsally, fine silver-grey pruinose (especially lateral margins of mesonotum), white and pale yellow setose. Prothorax entirely black, fine silver-grey pruinose, brown-orange setose. Mesonotum black except for brown-orange postpronotal lobes and surrounding area and postalar lobes and surrounding area, fine silver-grey pruinose, fine white and pale yellow setose. Mesonotal macrosetae (orange when present): dc weakly developed postsuture, 3 npl, 2 spal, 2 pal. Scutellum dark red-brown (a hint of orange-brown along hind margin), fine silver pruinose, disc sparsely pale yellow setose, hind margin with c. 4 pale yellow to orange macrosetae accompanied by minor setae. Pleura entirely black, entirely silver-grey pruinose, setae white to pale yellow largely confined to anepst, kepst and ktg. Anatg and mes pnot black. Legs: cx black, silver pruinose, white setose; tro red-brown; fem, tib and tar uniformly brown-orange, white to pale yellow setose, claws dark red-brown with orange proximal parts. Wings ( Fig. 37 ): 8.1× c. 2.7 (twisted) mm. Veins brown. Membrane extensively microtrichose (some proximal cells partly bare). Wing fairly uniformly yellow-brown, posterior cells less so and somewhat transparent. Haltere red-brown.

Abdomen: Predominantly blackish with orange-brown areas dorsally, fine silver-grey pruinose, white and pale yellow setose. T1 black, T2–7 blackish, orange-brown posteriorly (most extensive on T3). Sternites appear similar to tergites (but largely obscured from sight).

Genitalia ( Figs 78–80 ): Epand bifid, forming pair of relatively long, fairly slender, tapering lobes that jut out to a level exceeding all other genital structures. Lobes relatively wide apart except at proximal end where they abut medially, each lobe relatively straight and lying parallel to each other except at distal ends which converge to flattened, thin, flange-like apices. Proct simple, dorsally situated cerc appearing fused proximally. Goncx well developed, outer lobe projecting posteriorly as a fairly slender, distally narrowly rounded lobe; dorsal finger-like process well-developed, relatively long; inner lobe well developed, distal end sclerotised, medially directed. Gonst hardly laterally compressed, dorsally directed, tip curved anteriorly. Hypd well developed, somewhat wider than long, tapering rapidly to broad truncate, slightly curved distal end. Aed triangular in ventral view (somewhat hidden in undissected genitalia) with tiny bifid distal tip.

Holotype zonalis (Condition: Excellent; a little green verdigris is associated with entry and exit holes of pin.):

Head: Dark red-brown to black, silver pruinose, pale yellow, orange and red-brown setose. Antenna: Scape and pedicel orange, orange setose, postpedicel orange proximally becoming orange-brown distally, terminal stylus ‘segment’ present, red-brown, tipped with pit-enclosed spine-like sensory element. Segmental ratios: 1:0.4:3.8:0.2. Face dark red-brown, strongly silver pruinose except for lateral parts of epistomal margin and small mediodorsal area adjacent to antennal sockets, mystax shiny white (few yellow and red-brown setae laterally) occupying ventral ½ of face. Frons and vertex blackish, uniformly fine silver pruinose, pale yellow setose; ocellar tubercle fine pale brownish setose. Occiput dark red-brown, uniformly silver pruinose, dorsal setae pale yellow to orange ventral setae red-brown. Palpus red-brown, red-brown setose, terminal palpomere swollen, apex with terminal sensory pit. Proboscis red-brown, red-brown setose.

Thorax: Dark red-brown to black with orange areas dorsally, fine silver-grey pruinose, white, pale yellow and red-brown setose. Prothorax entirely black, fine silver pruinose, red-brown and pale yellow setose. Mesonotum orange except for broad blackish dorsomedial band that extends from anterior to posterior margins and is broadest just anterior of transverse suture where it almost reaches lateral margins of mesonotum, fine silver pruinose, fine moderately long white and pale yellow setose. Mesonotal macrosetae (orange when present): few orange dc posterior to transverse suture, 2 npl, 1 spal, 2 pal. Scutellum predominantly orange with large dark red-brown anteromedial area, fine silver pruinose, disc asetose, hind margin with 5 orange macrosetae accompanied by 2 minor setae. Pleura entirely dark red-brown to black, entirely silver-grey pruinose, setae white confined to anepst, kepst and ktg. Anatg and mes pnot dark red-brown, contrasting with orange posterior region of scutellum. Legs: cx dark red-brown, strongly silver pruinose, white setose; tro predominantly orange (small red-brown area); fem, tib and tar orange except for proximal half of fem 1 which is pale red-brown, orange and yellow setose, claws dark red-brown with orange proximal parts. Wings: 7.8×3.0 mm. Veins mostly orange anteriorly brown posteriorly. Membrane extensively microtrichose (some proximal cells partly bare), pale brown, proximal cells semi-transparent. Haltere pale orange with brownish base.

Abdomen: Predominantly dark red-brown to blackish with yellow patches, fine silver-grey and strong silver pruinose, white, pale yellow and dark red-brown setose. T1 blackish, weakly pruinose, white setose (long laterally); T2 dark red-brown with large yellow patches posterolaterally, strongly silver pruinose (a transverse band at midlength), white setose; T3–4 dark red-brown with small yellow posterolateral patches, weakly pruinose, dark red-brown setose; T5–terminalia dissected for genital study. Sternites similar to tergites but yellow parts along posterior margins.

Genitalia: Epand bifid, forming pair of relatively long, fairly slender, tapering lobes that jut out to a level exceeding all other genital structures. Lobes fairly wide apart except at proximal end where they abut medially, lobes relatively straight and lying parallel to one another except at distal ends which converge to flattened, flange-like apices. Proct simple, dorsally situated cerc appearing fused proximally. Goncx well developed, outer lobe projecting posteriorly as a fairly slender, distally narrowly rounded lobe; dorsal finger-like process well-developed, relatively long; inner lobe well developed, distal end sclerotised, medially directed. Gonst hardly laterally compressed, dorsally directed, tip curved anteriorly. Hypd well developed, somewhat wider than long, tapering fairly rapidly to broad, slightly curved, medially shallowly indented distal end. Aed triangular in ventral view (somewhat hidden in undissected genitalia) with tiny bifid distal tip.

Female. Similar to male although the mystax is usually pale yellow to orange and never dark red-brown to black.

Allotype zonalis: Similar to male but yellow and orange areas more extensive. T4–5 fairly strongly silver pruinose, T6–8 apruinose.

Variation: A fairly uniform species. Mystacal coloration varies from pale yellow (e.g. zonalis holotype) to black. Males usually have darker mystacal setae than females. Leg coloration may also vary somewhat. While the legs are usually uniformly orange, some individuals may have brown legs or femora that are darker than the tibiae.

Holotype fulvicollis (examined): ♂ SOUTH AFRICA: ‘Holo- / type’ [circular, red edged], Xiphocerus / fulvicollis / J. Bigot / 381 in / coll. / Bigot.’, ‘Coll. Bigot / abt.1845-93. / Pres-1914 by / J.E. Collin.’, ‘381 X. Fulvicollis / op. L-. [?] Hermann 1913 / Natal. Port. [Port Natal = Durban, 29°51'S: 31°01'E] J. Bigot.’ [large drawer label], ‘Type Dip: 307 / Xyphocerus / fulvicollis / Bigot / Hope Dept. Oxford’ ( OXUM).

Holotype zonalis (examined): ♂ SOUTH AFRICA: ‘Moorddrift [24°17'S: 28°57'E] / Oct. 1909 / C.J. Swierstra’, ‘ Holotype / Ancylorrhynchus / zonalis Br’ [red], Ancylorrhynchus / zonalis Broml. / Holotype 152.’ [red ink] ( NMSA).

Allotype zonalis (examined): ♀ similar data as holotype, but labelled ‘ Allotype 153’ ( NMSA) .

Paratype zonalis (examined): ♂ SOUTH AFRICA: ‘Woodbush [23°44'S: 30°02'E] / xii.1924 / G.v.Dam’, ‘ Paratype / Ancylorrhynchus / zonalis Br’ [red], ‘d.d.S.W. / Bromley. / 485. 1937’, ‘ Ancylorrhynchus / zonalis / Det. Bromley / S.W. Bromley 1937’, ‘5’, ‘Type Dip: 171 / Ancylorrhynchus / zonalis Bromley / Hope Dept. Oxford’ (OXUM).

Note: When listing the types of zonalis Bromley (1936) lists a ‘ Paratype, male, Magude, Oct. 1918 (C. J. Swierstra)’, which I have not encountered and its whereabouts are not known.

Other material examined: SOUTH AFRICA: 1♂ ‘South Africa: Limpopo / Nylsvley Nature Reserve / 24°38.595’S 028°41.789’E / 11 xi.2003 J.G.H. Londt / 1063m Acacia savannah / Waterhole area & trail path’ (NMSA); 1♀ ‘Nelspruit [25°28'S: 30°58'E] / 12.1917 / H.G. Breijer’ (NMSA); 1♀ ‘Botshabelo [Botsabelo, 25°42'S: 29°24'E], / Nr. Middelburg, / Transvaal, / 4000 ft / H.A. Junod’ (BMNH); 2♂ ‘South Africa: Natal / Ndumu Game Reserve / 2632DC 4–9 x.1982 / Coll. J.G.H. Londt / Camp & riverine bush’ (NMSA); 1♀ ‘Johannesburg [26°12'S: 28°05'E] / Transvaal / le.g. Zumpt’, ‘5.12.49’ (BMNH); 1♂ ‘South Africa: Natal / 15km SE Ingwavuma / 21.ii.1979 2732AA / J.G.H. Londt Bushy / area with big trees / ex Malaise trap’ (NMSA); 1♀ ‘S Africa: Natal #5 / Mkuzi Game Reserve / 27°38’S 32°14’E 160m / Date: 12.i.1994 / Natal Musm Expedition / Nsumu Pan area’ (NMSA); 1♂ ‘South Africa: Natal / Mkuzi Game Reserve / ca 140m 8–15. x. 1990 / 27°38’20”S:32°09’390”E / Coll. J.G.H. Londt / MV light & Malaise’ (NMSA); 1♂ ‘S Africa: Natal #6 / Kube Yini Game Res. / 27°48’S 32°14’E 360m / Date: 10–14.i.1994 / Natal Musm Expedition’ (NMSA); 3♀ ‘Umfolozi [28°09'S: 32°02'E] / Natal / 27.10.1930 ’ (SANC); 4♀ ‘Umfolozi / Natal / 22.10.1930 ’ (SANC); 1♀ ‘South Africa / KZN Spioenkop / Nature Reserve / road verge / 28.42S / 29.32E / 21 x.2000 / M. Stiller’ (SANC); 1♂ ‘S Africa: Natal #58 / Kelvin Grove / 28°50’S 29°20’E / Date: 20 xi.1993 / Coll: K.R. Cradock’ (NMSA); 1♀ ‘Natal / Willow Grange [Willowgrange, 29°03'S: 29°57'E] / R.C. Wroughton’ (BMNH); 1♀ ‘Natal / Willow Grange / Mooi River./ R.C. Wroughton / 1914–76’ (BMNH); 1♀ ‘New Hanover [29°21'S: 30°32'E] / Natal xii.14.13 / C.B. Hardenberg’ (NMSA); 1♀ ‘Estcourt [29°00'S: 29°53'E] / 11/96’ (BMNH); 1♀ ‘South Africa: Natal / Cumberland farm / 29°30’56”S: 30°30’55”E / Coll: S.A. Chinn / Date: 13.iii.1990 ’ (NMSA); 2♂ ‘South Africa: Natal / Pietermaritzburg [29°37'S: 30°23'E] / Townbush Valley / RM Miller + malaise / December 1976 ’ (NMSA); 1♂ ‘South Africa: Natal / Pietermaritzburg / Townbush Valley / RM Miller + malaise / November 1976 ’ (NMSA); 1♂ ‘So. Africa: Univ. Natal / Ukulinga Res. Frm, 10km / SE Pietermaritzburg / 7– 13.3.1986 grassland / RM Miller impoundment / Malaise trap’ (NMSA); 1♂ ‘So. Africa: Univ. Natal / Ukulinga Res. Frm, 10km / SE Pietermaritzburg / 8– 14.4.1986 grassland / RM Miller impoundment / Malaise trap’ (NMSA); 1♂ ‘Model/Mimick’, ‘South Africa: Natal / Umlaas Road [29°44'S: 30°31'E] / Thornveld – Malaise / Date: iv.1981 / Coll. P. Reavell’ (NMSA); 1♀ ‘Baynesfield [29°46'S: 30°21'E] / Natal / 8.12.79 / ACB [Butler]’ (NMSA); 1♂ ‘Gillitts [29°47'S: 30°48'E] / Pinetown district / Natal, S.Africa / B. & P. Stuckenberg’ (NMSA); 1♂ ‘Gillitts 21 xi.63 / Pinetown [29°49'S: 30°51'E] district / Natal, S. Africa / B. & P. Stuckenberg’ (NMSA); 1♂ ‘Pinetown / 6.i.09. / G. F. Leigh’, ‘1 / 688’, ‘Ex coll. / Transv Mus.’, ‘Sammlung / F. Hermann’, ‘ Ancylorrh. / fulvicollis / Bigot’, fulvicollis Bigot’, ‘ Ancylorrhynchus / cruciger Big. / det. E. O. Engel ♀ ’ (ZSMC); 1♀ ‘Pinetown / 17.12.08. / G. F. Leigh’, ‘1 / 685’, ‘Ex coll. / Transv Mus.’, ‘Sammlung / F. Hermann’, ‘ Ancylorrh. / fulvicollis / Bigot’, ‘ fulvicollis Bigot’, ‘ A. / fulvicollis Big. / det. E. O. Engel’, ‘ Ancylorrhynchus ♀ / fulvicollis Big. ’ (ZSMC); 1♂ ‘Pt Natal [Port Natal = Durban, 29°51'S: 31°01'E] / 55.96.’, ‘This is not the type / of Laphria fortipes Walk. / Said by Speiser (note in Kertész) / to be an Ancylorrhynchus / H.O. 16.i.68.’ (BMNH); 1♂ ‘S. Africa. / Durban. Port Natal / ex coll. / W.W. Saunders / 68–4’ (BMNH); 3♂ ‘Aliwal North [30°42'S: 26°42'E] / Cape Province / Dec. 1922 ’, ‘S. Africa / R.E. Turner / Brit. Mus. / 1923–45’ (BMNH); 3♂ ‘E. Cape Prov. / Katberg. [hill, 30°52'S: 24°11'E] / 1–10.ii.1933.’, ‘S. Africa / R.E. Turner / Brit. Mus. / 1933–139’ (BMNH); 1♂ ‘Südafrika: Eastern Cape: / Port St. Johns [31°38'S: 29°32'E]:Trail: / Eagle’s Nest – Airstrip / le.g. Barkemeyer 10.2.2004 ’ (CODI); 1♂ ‘Prt. St. John [Port St Johns, 31°38'S: 29°32'E] / Nov. 1917 / H.H. Swinny’ (NMSA); 1♀ ‘South Africa: Natal / Mkuze Reserve / 3215E 2740S 22 xii.93 / PE Reavell 120m / Malaise Trap / Acacia veld’ (NMSA); 1♀ ‘East London [33°02'S: 27°55'E] / 21.12.24 / H.K. Munro’ (NMSA); 1♀ ‘ Cape Province / Gxulu River [33°07'S: 27°44'E] / 15 xii.1970 / J.G.H. Londt’ (NMSA); 1♂ 1♀ ‘Malaise trap’, ‘ Cape Province / Hilton [33°15'S: 26°21'E] / Grahamstown / 22-31 xii.1979 / F.W. & S.K. Gess’ (AMGS); 1♀ ‘Malaise trap’, ‘ Cape Province / Hilton / Grahamstown / 21.i. – 3.ii.1980 / F.W. & S.K. Gess’ (AMGS); 1♂ ‘Malaise trap’, ‘ Cape Province / Hilton / Grahamstown / 17-31.i.1971 / F.W. Gess’ (AMGS); 1♀ ‘77/78/133’, ‘Sandpit / floor’, ‘ Cape Province / Hilton / Grahamstown / 2.i.1979 / D.W. Gess’ (AMGS); 1♂ ‘S. Africa: E. Cape / Grahamstown / 7 Park Road / 33°18’S 26°32’E / 14.iv.1982 / P.G. Hawkes’ (AMGS); 1♂ ‘S. Africa Cape Prov. / Grahamstown / 33.18’S 26.32’E / 11/3/1983 / J.E. Ken-Boisen’ (AMGS); 1♂ ‘ Cape Province / Strowan [33°18'S: 26°28'E] / Grahamstown / 5.ii.1967 / D. Brothers’ (AMGS); 3♂ ‘South Africa, Cape Prov. / 7km SW Grahamstown [33°18'S: 26°32'E] / Faraway, 10–16.i.1984 / Brothers, Malaise trap’ (NMSA); 1♂ ‘S. Africa

Cape Prov. / Grahamstown / 33.18’S 26.32’E / 11/3/1983 / J.E. Ken-Boisen’ (AMGS); 2♂ ‘ Cape Province / Belmont Valley / Grahamstown [33°18'S: 26°32'E] / 31.i.1972 / F.W. Gess’ (AMGS); 3♂ 4♀ ‘ South Africa: E. Cape / Grahamstown (plot 5280) / Three Chimneys farm / 33°18.542’S 26°29.846’E / 2–13.iii.2008 / A. H. Kirk-Spriggs / Malaise trap’ (AMGS); 1♀ ‘Grahams / town / June 87 / V. Bradish’ (AMGS); 1♂ ‘ Cape Province / Grahamstown / March 1971 / J. G. H. Londt’ (NMSA); 2♂ ‘ South Africa / Grahamstown / Dassie Krantz / 1.i.72 / D.J. Greathead’ (BMNH); 1♂ ‘ Südafrika: Eastern Cape: / Grahamstown: Mountain / Drive, above Dassiekrans / le.g. Barkemeyer 3.2.2004 ’ (CODI); 1♂ ‘ South Africa: Cape Province / Grahamstown / Botanical Gardens / (33°19’S 26°31’E) / 11.i.1981 P.M.C. Croeser’ (NMSA); 1♀ ‘ South Africa, Cape / Grahamstown / 3319’S 2631’E / 5.3.1982 / K. Sheppey’ (AMGS); 1♀ ‘Grahamstown / RSA / 3319S 2632E / 12/9/1993 / Z Davidson’ (AMGS); 1♀ ‘S. Africa: E. Cape / Nr Grahamstown / Fairbairn Farm / 33.20’S 26.33’E / 21/Jan/1986 / A.B. Ware’ (AMGS); 1♀ ‘S. Africa: E. Cape / Nr Grahamstown / Fairbairn Farm / 33.20’S 26.33’E / 16/Feb/1986 / A.B. Ware’ (AMGS); 1♀ ‘ South Africa, E. Cape / Grahamstown / 33.20S 26.31E / 2/3/1985 / No. 26 F McLaren’ (AMGS); 1♀ ‘ Cape Province / Swartwaterspoort / Grahamstown / 22 xi.1982 / D/W. Gess’ (AMGS); 1♂ ‘On flowering Foeniculum / vulgare Mill’, ‘ Cape Province / Grahamstown / 17–25.i.1970 / J.G.H. Londt’ (AMGS); 1♀ ‘ Cape Province / Grahamstown / 9 xii.1964 / D.J. Brothers’ (AMGS); 1♀ ‘ Südafrika: Western Cape: / ca. 60km N George: Mei- / ringspoort [33°24'S: 22°33'E] / le.g. Barkemeyer 10.1.2002 ’ (CODI); 1♀ ‘Otterford Forestry / Reserve / Hankey [33°50'S: 24°53'E] area / 1–10.12.67 3325CC / B&P Stuckenberg’ (NMSA); 1♂ ‘Algoa bay [= Port Elizabeth, 33°58'S: 25°35'E] / Capland / Dr. Brauns / 29 12 95 [sideways]’, ‘ Ancylorrh. / tricolor Lw. ’, ‘Sammlung / F. Hermann’, ‘ A. / tricolor Wied. / det. E. O. Engel’, ‘ Ancylorrhynchus / tricolor Loew ♂ ’ (ZSMC); 1♂ ‘ South Africa / Knysna [34°02'S: 23°02'E] / C.P. i.1979 / C.D. Eardley’ (SANC).

Notes on synonymy: The few specimens previously identified as A. zonalis are clearly very similar to those here assigned to fulvicollis . While I provide the following redescription of the zonalis holotype I am confident that with the acquisition of more material from the northern parts of the presently accepted distribution of fulvicollis that my synonymy of zonalis will prove to be fully justified.

Ancylorhynchus fortipes . Bromley (1936) was first to use the name fortipes in association with Ancylorhynchus when he recorded material as representing what he called ‘ fortipes Walker’. His labelled specimens from the Eastern Cape (East London & Port St John) and KwaZulu-Natal (New Hanover) are to be found in NMSA (my study shows these to represent fulvicollis and so the material is listed above). The only fortipes described by Walker was Laphria fortipes Walker, 1857 (p. 128) from ‘Port Natal’ (= Durban, KwaZulu-Natal). Walker’s (1857) paper included the descriptions of four South African species, all from Port Natal, which were part of the W.W. Saunders collection, subsequently incorporated into the BMNH collections. Two are definitely represented by type specimens in the BMNH ( Asilus firmatus – now a Dysclytus , and Trupanea venerabilis – now a Promachus / Bactria ). One species, Dasypogon aequalis , is listed in the Afrotropical catalogue as an unplaced species of Dasypogoninae (presumably because the type was not available to be checked). The type material of Walker’s forth species, Laphria fortipes , could not be traced by Erica McAlister (BMNH) in a recent and extensive search of the BMNH’s holdings. There is, however, an old specimen from Port Natal (identified by Oldroyd as Ancylorhynchus insignis , but actually representing fulvicollis – and listed above) that carries the following note ‘This is not the type of / Laphria fortipes Walk. / Said by Speiser (note in Kertész) / to be an Ancylorrhynchus / H.O. 16.1.68’. This note, written by Oldroyd, provides no evidence for the assertion, and so, in the absence of any other alternative, it must remain possible that this specimen is in fact Walker’s holotype. If this is so, the name fortipes would indeed be associated with Ancylorhynchus as indicated by Bromley, and would mean that the name fortipes Walker, 1857 would take precedence over fulvicollis Bigot, 1879 . However, the fact that Walker placed his fortipes in Laphria , rather than in say Dasypogon , and the fact that he failed to mention the distinctive proboscis, must prompt caution in making the assumption that this specimen is Walkers type of Laphria fortipes . For the present I have decided to support Oldroyd’s belief that the BMNH specimen is not Walker’s type. This means that, like the type of aequalis , Walker’s fortipes type must be considered lost.

Distribution, phenology and biology: Widely distributed endemic South African species ( Table 1, Fig. 151 ). Adults have been collected from September–June (no records for May) (Table 2). The biology is poorly known, but label data suggest that this species inhabits woodland, savanna and grassland. Two prey records are known to me, a male (NMSA) pinned with Hymenoptera (Vespidae) and a female (AMGS) pinned with Hemiptera (Scutelleridae) . It is remarkable that the male pinned with its vespid prey bears a strong resemblance to the prey item. It is about the same size and its coloration strongly resembles the prey item. This appears to be a convincing case of mimicry (see discussion below). Allotype zonalis has a small hemipteran ( Miridae ) clutched between its legs; this may not, however, be a prey item.

Similar species: A member of the reynaudii species-group with close similarities to reynaudii .

Figures

Figs 3–30. Antennae of Ancylorhynchus species: (3) A. cruciger (Loew, 1858), holotype, left side outer view; (4) A. dilobion sp. n., holotype, left side outer view; (5) A. doryphorus sp. n., holotype, right side inner view; (6) A. feijeni sp. n., holotype, left side outer view; (7) A. fulvicollis (Bigot, 1879), ♂ Pietermaritzburg, left side outer view; (8) A. funebris Bromley, 1936, ♂ Masiene, left side outer view; (9) A. gessi sp. n., holotype, left side outer view; (10) A. greatheadi sp. n., holotype, left side outer view; (11) A. hylaeiformis Speiser, 1910, holotype, left side outer view; (12) A. insignis Bromley, 1936, holotype, left side outer view; (13) A. magnificus Bromley, 1936, holotype, left side outer view; (14) A. nomadus (Wiedemann, 1828), ♂ Zungeru, right side outer view (reversed); (15) A. nyukinus Speiser, 1910, holotype, right side outer view (reversed); (16) A. oldroydi Lindner, 1961, holotype,right side outer view (reversed); (17) A. phelpsi sp. n., holotype, left side outer view; (18) A. pretoriensis Bromley, 1936, holotype, left side outer view; (19) A. prunus Oldroyd 1974, holotype, left side outer view; (20) A. reynaudii (Macquart, 1838), ♀ Kommetjie, left side outer view; (21) A. similis sp. n., paratype, left side outer view; (22) A. simpsoni sp. n., holotype, left side outer view (postpedicel missing); (23) A. snowi sp. n., holotype, left side outer view (postpedicel missing); (24) A. sokokensis sp. n., paratype, left side outer view; (25) A. susurrus (Karsch, 1879), holotype, left side outer view; (26) A. tricolor (Loew, 1863), holotype braunsi, right side outer view (reversed); (27) A. unifasciatus (Loew, 1858), ♂ Cumberland, left side outer view; (28) A. variabilis nom. n., ♂ Hotazel, left side outer view; (29) A. whiteheadi sp. n., paratype, left side outer view; (30) A. zophos sp. n., holotype, right side inner view. Scale lines = 1 mm.

Figs 31–40. Wings of Ancylorhynchus species: (31) A. cruciger (Loew, 1858), holotype; (32) A. cruciger, ♂ N. Vumba; (33) A. dilobion sp. n., ♂ paratype Paleisheuvel; (34) A. doryphorus sp. n., holotype; (35) A.elbaiensis Efflatoun,1937 (from Efflatoun,1937, pl.V, fig.48); (36) A. feijeni sp. n., paratype ♂ Soutpan; (37) A. fulvicollis (Bigot, 1879), ♂ Pietermaritzburg; (38) A. funebris Bromley, 1936, ♂ Lourenço Marques [= Maputo]; (39) A. gessi sp. n., holotype; (40) A. greatheadi sp. n., paratype ♂ Salamona. Not to scale, see text for measurements.

Figs 75–92. Male terminalia of Ancylorhynchus species, lateral, dorsal and ventral views: (75–77) A. feijeni sp. n., holotype; (78–80) A. fulvicollis (Bigot, 1879), holotype; (81–83) A. funebris Bromley, 1936, holotype; (84–86) A. gessi sp. n., holotype; (87–89) A. greatheadi sp. n., paratype Salamona; (90–92) A. hylaeiformis Speiser, 1910, paratype. Scale lines = 1 mm.

Fig. 151. Distribution of Ancylorhynchus species in Southern Africa: ● = A. fulvicollis (Bigot, 1879); ■ = A. variabilis nom. n.