Afroptera longicornis ( Tjeder, 1967 ) Abdalla & Mansell & Sole, 2019

Abdalla, Ishtiag H., Mansell, Mervyn W. & Sole, Catherine L., 2019, Revision of the southern African genera Nemopterella Banks and Nemia Navás (Neuroptera: Nemopteridae: Nemopterinae), with descriptions of new genera and species, Zootaxa 4635 (1), pp. 1-89 : 48-50

Afroptera longicornis ( Tjeder, 1967) comb. nov.

( Figs 73 , 93 , 108 , 115 , 153 )

Synonymy

Nemopterella longicornis Tjeder, 1967: 473 .

Etymology. Unknown, probably derived from the Latin words long and cornu (horn) (long-horn) for its long antennae. Type locality. South Africa, Northern Cape Province. Marydale, 29°20’19’’S 22°05’50’’E.

Type depository. TMSA .

Diagnosis. This species is most closely related to A. munroi based on external morphology. It is separable from A. munroi , by its longer antennae ( Fig. 108 ) and the distinct lateral stripes on pronotum and mesonotum ( Fig. 93 ). It is further characterised by the more rounded forewing apex with a slight emargination before the apex ( Fig. 115 ).

Size (mm). Male: body length 9.2 (7.4–11.9); forewing 21.8 (19.7–26.4); hind wing 54.2 (44.8–63.7); antenna 21.9 (19.8–26.5); Female: body length 11.7 (10.2–13.3); forewing 23.3 (20.0–25.6); hind wing 50.8 (50–56); antenna 16.1 (13.2–17.1). (N = 136).

Type material examined. SOUTH AFRICA, Northern Cape Province. Holotype ♂ ( Fig. 108 ), TMSA02067 , HOLOTYPE Neu 086, Nemopterella longicornis Tjeder (red printed label) / MARYDALE 5 m North [29°20’19’’S 22°05’50’’E], 9–10.X.1954, A.J.T.Janse (white printed label) / Holotypus ♂, Nemopterella longicornis Tjed Bo Tjeder 1966 (red handwritten label). Paratypes: 2♂ 1♀, same data as holotype. (All TMSA) .

Other material examined. SOUTH AFRICA, Northern Cape Province. 2♂, TMSA00751 , MARYDALE, 5 m North [29°20’19’’S 22°05’50’’E], 9–10.x.1954, A.J.T.Janse / Nemopterella longicornis Tjeder, 1967 , Det. M.W.Mansell 2013. ( TMSA) . 63♂ 68♀, NEUR08942 , Richtersveld, Jenkins Kop , 28°43’S 17°15’E, 600m, 9.x.1991, M.W.Mansell, R.G.Oberprieler, Mercury vapour light. ( SANC) .

Distribution and habitat. This species is only known from the Northern Cape Province, South Africa ( Fig. 153 ). The ranges of distribution are mainly centred in the Bushmanland and Richtersveld Bioregions in the Nama and Succulent Karoo Biomes respectively ( Mucina & Rutherford 2006). Both areas are dry, in the former, late summer–early autumn rains are dominant and vegetation cover primarily consists of grasses and succulent shrubs. While in the latter, winter rains are prevalent and the frequent fogs typify the area, which makes it more humid. The vegetation cover mainly comprises succulent shrubs and herbs.

Remarks. This species is sympatric with A. apicalis in Marydale.

Figures

FIGURES 67–78. Antennae of Afroptera spp. 67, A. segregata (Tjeder); 68, A. peringueyi (Tjeder); 69, A. parva (Tjeder); 70, A. nigrosetosa (Tjeder); 71, A. pilosa (Tjeder); 72, A. sabuleti (Tjeder); 73, A. longicorins (Tjeder); 74, A. munroi (Tjeder); 75, A. exigua (Tjeder); 76, A. remifera (Westwood); 77, A. dyscrita (Tjeder); 78, A. leptocera, (Navás).

FIGURES 90–95. Afroptera spp. Thorax. 90, A. sabuleti (Tjeder); 91, A. nigrosetosa (Tjeder); 92, A. munroi (Tjeder); 93, A. longicornis (Tjeder); 94, A. obtusa (Tjeder); 95, A. leptocera (Navás).

FIGURES 107–110. Holotypes of Afroptera spp with their associated labels. 107, A. aequabilis (Tjeder) ♂; 108, A. longicornis (Tjeder) ♂; 109, A. olivacea (Tjeder) ♂; 110, A. apicalis (Tjeder) ♂.

FIGURES 115–122. Afroptera spp. Male forewings. 115, A. longicornis (Tjeder); 116, A. munroi (Tjeder); 117, A. aequabilis (Tjeder); 118, A. sabuleti (Tjeder); 119, A. olivacea (Tjeder); 120, A. apicalis (Tjeder); 121, A. pruinosa (Tjeder); 122, A. nigrosetosa (Tjeder). Scale = 1 mm.

FIGURES 153–154. Distribution maps of Afroptera spp.