Notomochtherus brevicauda, 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 : 52-53

Notomochtherus brevicauda sp. n. ( Figs 173–182 )

Etymology: L. brevis – short + cauda – tail, refers to the short or truncate male terminalia. Diagnosis: Head: Antennal scape and pedicel blackish, pedicel with at most a narrow yellowish apex; postpedicel longer than stylus. Thorax: Postpronotal lobe with long setae. Dorsocentrals present both anterior and posterior to transverse suture. Microtrichial coverage of wing fairly extensive in distal area (cell r 5 entirely covered). Prothoracic femur with long, fine, hair-like posteroventral setae. Metathoracic coxa with two lateral macrosetae; trochanter dark red-brown to black; femur entirely blackish (may have slightly paler ends) and yellow/white anterior 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 1.6–2.0. Distal margin of S8 lacking medial process or sclerotised area. Ventromedial area of hypandrium not markedly constricted. Gonostylus moderately slender (viewed ventrally). Aedeagal terminal filaments moderately well developed, trifurcate. Gonostylus shorter than gonocoxite (viewed ventrally). Aedeagus straight, relatively short and laterally compressed. Epandrium distally bilobed.

Material examined: Holotype: SOUTH AFRICA: 1ơ, ‘ Greyton / S. A. Museum’ ~ ‘ Mus Staff / Jan 1940 ’ ( SAMC) . Paratype: SOUTH AFRICA: 1^, data as for holotype. Type locality: South Africa, Western Cape, Greyton .

Comments: The species has a number of apparent autapomorphies (see Table 4) and is therefore given generic status. Although the type material is not in the best condition it is clear that this species is markedly different from others included in this study – the darkly marked wings and truncate appearance of the male terminalia are conditions considered particularly diagnostic. The species is known only from the type locality.

Figures

Figs 173–182. Notomochtherus brevicauda sp. n. (Greyton ơ & ^). 173. Antenna. 174. Wing. 175–180. ơ genitalia. 175. Lateral. 176. Dorsal. 177. Ventral. 178–179. Aedeagus. 178. Lateral. 179. Tip, dorsal. 180. Gonocoxite and gonostylus (inside view of right side). 181–182. ^ genitalia. 181. Lateral. 182. Dorsal. Scale lines = 1 mm.