Valiraptor, 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 : 60

Valiraptor gen. n.

Type species: Valiraptor silvestris sp. n., by present designation.

Etymology: L. Validus – strong + raptor – robber, plunderer. Refers to the relatively robust appearance of the species.

Diagnosis: Head: Antennal style composed of three elements including terminal spine; postpedicel less than twice the length of scape; scape predominantly blackish. Facial gibbosity moderately well developed, occupying approximately half distance between lower facial margin and antennal sockets. Face relatively broad (width of head divided by width of face at same level <7). Thorax: Postpronotal lobe equipped with longish slender setae. Mesonotum with dorsocentral macrosetae extending anterior of transverse suture. Scutellum usually with two marginal macrosetae. Metathoracic coxa with one lateral macroseta. Metathoracic femur with areas of black and yellow. Abdomen: Pruinescence extends uniformly over at least seven segments. Female cerci dorsally finely setose.Aedeagal shaft strongly curved and exceptionally long, this development giving terminal abdominal segments a characteristic deep, laterally compressed appearance. Aedeagal prongs exceptionally long and frequently coiled. Hypandrium; medially well developed (wide, not constricted).

Note: See also illustrations, key and character matrix (Table 3) for morphological information.