Valiraptor namibiensis, 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 : 62

Valiraptor namibiensis sp. n. ( Figs 231–235 )

Etymology: Named after the country of Namibia.

Diagnosis: Head:Antennal scape and pedicel yellowish; postpedicel and stylus of similar length. Thorax: Postpronotal lobe with long setae. Dorsocentrals posterior to transverse suture only. Microtrichial coverage of wing moderate in distal area (proximal tip of cell r 5 bare). Prothoracic femur with long, fine, hair-like posteroventral setae. Katetergal macrosetae yellowish.Metathoracic coxa with one lateral macroseta; trochanter brownish yellow; femur anteriorly entirely yellowish or light brownish with yellow/white macrosetae. Abdomen: Gonocoxite length:width ratio>2.5. Distal margin of S8 lacking medial process or sclerotised area. Ventromedial area of hypandrium not markedly constricted. Gonostylus clearly attenuate (viewed ventrally).Aedeagal terminal filaments well developed and filamentous. Gonostylus longer than gonocoxite (viewed ventrally). Aedeagus strongly curved, greatly elongate and tubular. Epandrium simple (without obvious lobes or projections).

Material examined: Holotype: NAMIBIA: 1ơ, ‘ Ghaub 47 / Tsumeb / SE 1917 Bc /d / 19–28 Nov. 1972 ’, ‘H10712’; ( NMNW).

Type locality: Namibia, Tsumeb , Ghaub 47 [farm] .

Comments: Known only from a poorly preserved specimen collected at some distance from any other known Valiraptor specimen ( Fig. 255 ). The genitalia, which are only weakly sclerotised, clearly show the same basic structure characteristic of the genus. More material is required, and the female is unknown.

Figures

Figs 231–235. Valiraptor namibiensis sp. n. (Tsumeb ơ). 231.Antenna.232.Wing (reconstruction as posterior part folded onto anterior part, along dotted line shown). 233–235. ơ genitalia. 233. Lateral. 234. Dorsal. 235. Ventral (aedeagal filaments not shown). Scale lines = 1 mm.

Fig. 255. Distribution of Valiraptor species in southern Africa. V. namibiensis (triangles), V. silvestris (crosses).