Nannolaphria Londt, 1977

Londt, Jason G. H., 2015, Taxonomic observations regarding four genera ofAfrotropical robber flies, Choerades Walker, 1851, Laphria Meigen, 1803, Nannolaphria Londt, 1977 and Notiolaphria Londt, 1977, and the description of Ericomyia gen. n. (Diptera, Asilidae, Laphriinae), African Invertebrates 56 (1), pp. 191-191 : 197

Genus Nannolaphria Londt, 1977

Nannolaphria Londt, 1977: 47 .

Type species: Nannolaphria niger Londt, 1977 , by original designation.

Diagnosis: Generally small, dark red-brown to black flies. Head: Antennal postpedicel with at most 1 or 2 poorly developed setae dorsally; scape usually only a little longer than pedicel, antennal stylus absent. Mystax not overlaid by shiny scale-like setae. Posterior margin of lower occiput not extended and flange-like. Maxillary palpus cylindrical in cross-section, 2-segmented. Proboscis short, not laterally compressed, but subtriangular in cross-section. Thorax: Prosternum fused to proepisternum.Anepisternum with at least 1 strong, long macroseta at supero-posterior angle, in front of wing insertion. Apical scutellar macrosetae present. Postmetacoxal area membranous.Anatergal setae absent. Legs entirely blackish, femur rather slender. Prothoracic tibia without an apical spur. Pulvilli present. Wing with alula present. Cell r 1 closed, joined to C by an obvious, fairly straight stalk. Cell r 5 open. Vein M2 reaching wing margin. Apical portion of vein M3 not perfectly aligned with proximal portion of M2 (forming a cross). Wing membrane extensively covered with black microtrichia. Abdomen: T2 no more than 4× as long as wide; S1 confined beneath T1. Female ovipositor short and not markedly tubular. Female terminalia simple, without acanthophorite spines.

This monotypic genus of tiny black flies ( Fig. 1 ) is confined to a relatively small region centred on the south-eastern parts of KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, and is unlikely to be confused with other genera treated here. While Londt’s (1977) description is adequate, new records are provided below.

Figures

Fig. 1. Nannolaphria nigra Londt, 1977, ♂ Pietermaritzburg.