Afromochtherus megastylus, Londt, 2002

Londt, Jason G. H., 2002, Afrotropical Asilinae (Asilidae): A provisional key to genera, with a review of the status of Neomochtherus Osten Sacken, 1878, and descriptions of new genera and species, African Invertebrates 43, pp. 11-92 : 34

Afromochtherus megastylus sp. n. ( Figs 52–58 )

Etymology: Gr. mega – large + stylus. Refers to large gonostylus.

Diagnosis: Head:Antennal scape and pedicel yellowish; postpedicel shorter than stylus. Thorax: Postpronotal lobe with short setae. Dorsocentrals posterior to transverse suture only. Microtrichial coverage of wing limited to wing margins (much of cell r 5 bare). Prothoracic femur with long, fine, hair-like posteroventral setae. Metathoracic coxa with two lateral macrosetae; trochanter brownish yellow; femur anteriorly largely yellow with pale brownish, narrow, longitudinal band and with yellow/white macrosetae. Abdomen: Ovipositor relatively short and broad (length:width ratio, measured dorsally <3.3) and relatively short and deep (length:depth ratio, measured laterally <2.8). Gonocoxite length:width ratio <1.6. Distal margin of S8 with median sclerotised area. Ventromedial area of hypandrium greatly constricted (ca. one quarter width of lateral parts). Gonostylus distally clubbed (viewed ventrally). Aedeagal terminal filaments short and poorly developed. Gonostylus longer than gonocoxite (viewed ventrally). Aedeagus straight, relatively short and laterally compressed. Epandrium with dorsal process/lobe.

Material examined: Holotype: NAMIBIA: 1ơ, ‘NA99-MO5: / Namibia: Brandberg / Wasserfallfläche 1960m / 21 ° 10·77'S 14 ° 32·87'E / 07–10 iv 1999 S. van Noort & / S.G. Compton Malaise trap Eell / vegetated valley below waterfall, / Bushy Karoo-Namib scrubland’ ( NMNW). Paratypes: NAMIBIA: 1^, same data as holotype; 1ơ, ‘NA99- MO4: / Namibia: Brandberg / Hungorob Valley 1180m / 21 ° 11·40'S 14 ° 31·59E / 02–05 iv 1999 S. Van Noort & S.G. Compton Malaise trap / Bushy Karoo-Namib shrubland; 1ơ, ‘NA99-MO4: / Namibia: Brandberg / Hungorob Valley 1180m / 21 ° 11·40'S 14 ° 31·59E / 05–16 iv 1999 S. Van Noort & S.G. Compton Malaise trap / Bushy KarooNamib shrubland ( NMNW) .

Type locality: Namibia, Brandberg Mountain .

Comments: Male genitalia similar to some other congeners, but the rather elongate gonostyli are unique. Known only from two closely-situated localities on the Brandberg mountains ( Fig. 249 ), which lies in the Desert and Poor Steppe climatic region.Although mendax probably occurs nearby, these species are readily distinguishable.

Figures

Figs 52–58.Afromochtherus megastylus sp. n. (Brandberg ơ & ^). 52.Antenna.53. Wing.54–56.ơ genitalia. 54. Lateral. 55. Dorsal. 56. Ventral. 57–58. ^ genitalia. 57. Lateral. 58. Dorsal. Scale lines = 1 mm.

Fig. 249. Distribution of Afromochtherus species in southern Africa. A. kolodrilus (circles), A. megastylus (triangles), A. melanurus (squares), A. peri (crosses), A. zoropegus (pentagons).