Leylaiya whiteheadi Greathead and Evenhuis, 2001

Greathead, D. J. & Evenhuis, N. L., 2001, Annotated keys to the genera of African Bombylioidea (Diptera: Bombyliidae; Mythicomyiidae), African Invertebrates 42 (1820), pp. 105-224 : 124-125

Leylaiya whiteheadi Greathead and Evenhuis sp. n.

( Figs 20 , 24 , 27 )

Etymology: Named for Dr. Vin Whitehead of the South African Museum, who brought the specimens below to NLE’s attention and was a kind and generous host during his visit to South Africa.

Material examined: Holotype ^ and 2^ paratypes from SOUTH AFRICA: Northern Cape: Boesmanland: Rietfontein, Rotnaarskoker , 2918 Cc , 16.iv.1989, S[igrid] Liede. The holotype lacks the left antenna beyond the scape and the right wing is torn off at the base and missing . Holotype in SAMC . Paratypes in SAMC and BPBM .

Diagnosis: This species is easily separated from the other three known species in this genus by the characteristic black and white pattern of the thorax and abdomen ( Fig. 24 ).

Description: ^. Length: 1.78–2.06 mm. Head ( Figs 24 a, b ): Black with white to yellow patterning; occiput black with white posterolaterally; eyes dichoptic, separated at vertex by 3 x distance between lateral ocelli; frons black, narrow white patch laterally adjacent to inner eye margin, thin white line above antennae; face yellow, tip of oral margin black; antennae black; scape cylindrical; pedicel subconical, slightly wider than long; first flagellomere lanceolate, length about 2 x greatest width; second flagellomere minute, with microscopic apical style; venter of head black; proboscis thin, strap-like, extremely long when extended (more than body length), accordion-like when retracted in oral groove below head ( Fig. 20 ); labrum sclerotised, stiff, pointed apically, length slightly less than height of oral margin; palpus not evident. Thorax ( Figs 24 a, b ): Mesonotum dark brown to black dorsally with patterning, with scattered dark hairs; scutellum yellow with narrow blackish median line; coxae black; femora black basally, yellowish apically; tibiae and tarsi yellowish; halter stem and knob yellowish white. Wing (cf. Fig. 27 ): Hyaline; veins dark brown; costa ends at end of vein M 1; vein Sc complete; base of Rs connected to vein R 1; R 4+5 slightly curved to wing margin; vein M 1 curved toward wing margin, converging with vein R 4+5 at wing margin resulting in narrow cell r 5, width less than crossvein r-m; A 1 straight to wing margin; fringe of hair on posterior margin of wing. Abdomen ( Fig. 24 b ): Dorsum with black and yellow patterning; venter sclerotised black.

Remarks: Little is known of the biology of this species. Liede et al. (1991) recorded the type series as visiting flowers of Conophytum pellucidum in northern Cape. The flower species has a comparatively long tubular corolla, which would apparently necessitate the Leylaiya adults to extend the proboscis to its full length in order to reach nectar.

Figures

Fig. 20. Leylaiya whiteheadi Greathead and Evenhuis, scanning electron micrograph, ventral view, showing accordion-like retracted proboscis.

Figs 24–25. Mythicomyiidae, habitus drawings. 24. Leylaiya whiteheadi Greathead and Evenhuis sp. n. a. head and thorax, lateral view, wings removed.b. habitus, dorsal view, wings removed.25. Cyrtosia obscuripes Loew, head and thorax, lateral view, wings removed.

Figs 27–30. Mythicomyiidae wings. 27. Leylaiya mellivora (Hesse). 28. Mnemomyia rostrata Bowden. 29. Glella ashleyi Greathead and Evenhuis sp. n. 30. Glabellula natalensis Hesse.