Cosmina gracilis Curran, 1927

Thomas-Cabianca, Arianna, Villet, Martin H., Martinez-Sanchez, Anabel & Rojo, Santos, 2023, South African nose flies (Diptera, Calliphoridae, Rhiniinae): taxonomy, diversity, distribution and biology, Biodiversity Data Journal 11, pp. 72764-72764 : 72764

Cosmina gracilis Curran, 1927

= Cosmina gracilis Curran, 1927: 2. Type locality: South Africa, Barberton. Remarks: type-serie in SANC at ARC.

Distribution

Afrotropical: Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa (Fig. 31 ) and Zimbabwe.

Notes

Preferred environment: dry scrub forest, mixed bushveld-grass, sand and broad-leafed deciduous forest and Rhus and Acacia savannah. In Namibia, associated with the Mesic Savannah, Arid Savannah, Karoo and Desert Biomes ( Kurahashi and Kirk-Spriggs 2006). We included new records in indigenous and degraded sand forest and cultivated plots for Namibia. Recorded elevations: 98-1240 m a.s.l. Seasonality: common species, highest abundance in September and November. Absent in February, June, July and August and low numbers in the remaining months. In Namibia, it was an abundant species, peaking from December to February ( Kurahashi and Kirk-Spriggs 2006). Behaviour and ecology: in Namibia, was frequently observed feeding on flowers ( Solanaceae and other families). The success of the pitfall-traps suggests ground-dwelling habit in adults ( Kurahashi and Kirk-Spriggs 2006). Life cycle and developmental stages: unknown. Collection methods: Malaise traps and light trap. In Nambia, it was collected by sweeping or with UV-light, yellow and blue pan traps, hanging traps baited with fermenting fruit, Malaise and pitfall traps ( Kurahashi and Kirk-Spriggs 2006). Illustrations and photographs: male habitus as in Fig. 32 . Male terminalia as in fig. 26c in Zumpt (1958).

Type material examined: C. gracilis : 1? HT 1? AT // Barberton / May 17 1914 / (H. K. Munro).

Material examined: Suppl. materials 1, 2.

Figures

Figure 31. Cosmina gracilis occurrence map in South Africa, including eSwatini (eSw) and Lesotho (Le); horizontal axis longitude east and vertical axis latitude south.

Figure 32. Habitus, left lateral view of Cosmina gracilis male SANC from South Africa; scale bar = 2 mm.