Rachispoda basilewskyi ( VANSCHUYTBROECK, 1962 ) Papp, 2012

Papp, L., 2012, A Review Of The Afrotropical Species Of Leptocera Olivier (Diptera: Sphaeroceridae), Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae 58 (3), pp. 225-258 : 252-253

Rachispoda basilewskyi ( VANSCHUYTBROECK, 1962) , comb. n.

Paracollinella basilewskyi VANSCHUYTBROECK, 1962: 473 .

Leptocera basilewskyi: ROHÁČEK et al. 2001: 151 .

Material studied: Holotype male ( MRAC, double mounted on a long polyporus blicklet): 1) [yellowish] HOLOTYPUS m; 2) Coll. Mus. Congo, Tanganyika Terr.: Longido, Masai Distr., 1500 m. 17/ 20-IV–1957. 3) Mission Zoolog. I. R.S.A.C. en Afrique orientale (P. Basilewsky et N. Leleup); 4 [reddish] TYPE; 5) P. Vanschuytbroeck det., 195 “ Paracollinella m basilewskyi nsp.” [pencil hand-writing of P. V.]; 6) “ Rachispoda basilewskyi ( Vanschuytbroeck, 1962) holotype L. Papp 2011”; 7) [reverse code label of MRAC] RMCA ENT 000016277 . Some of its setae displaced or broken off, wings stuck together .

Paratype male ( MRAC, abdomen and genitalia removed and kept in a plastic microvial with glycerol): 1 ) PARATYPUS m; 2)–3): same as on HT; 4) “ Paracollinella Basilewskyi n. sp. det. P. Vanschuytbroek [sic!] [handwriting with fine pen, P. V.]; 5) “ Rachispoda basilewskyi ( Vanschuytbroeck, 1962) L. Papp 2011 ”. It is without head but otherwise well-preserved .

This species is obviously a member of the R. fuscipennis group of Rachispoda . Foremost pair of dorsocentrals medially curved, scutellum with 8 larger and several short (mainly lateral marginal) setae. Facial plate bulging, bulbous prominent between antennae. Three strong pairs of interfrontal setae plus some short ones. I was able to detect 3 acrostichal macrochaetae. Discal cell with distinct posteroapical corner, paratype with minute vein stub there. Mid tibia with long ventral posteroapical bristle (similar to that of the Leptocera nigra species group). Ventral preapical seta of mid tibia much longer and thicker than ventral metatarsal seta. Hind tibia anterodorsally and posterodorsally with numerous long setae.

A study of the male genitalia of the paratype confirmed that this species belongs to the Rachispoda fuscipennis species group.

Known only from the type locality ( Tanzania) .