Trichardis spicata, Londt, 2008

Londt, Jason G. H., 2008, A review of Afrotropical Trichardis Hermann, 1906, and the description of the first Oriental representative of the genus (Diptera: Asilidae: Laphriinae), African Invertebrates 49 (2), pp. 171-171 : 200-201

Trichardis spicata sp. n.

Figs 45, 46

Etymology: From Latin spica (point, spike). Refers to the long spike-like aedeagal projections.

Description (based on holotype in excellent condition):

Head: Dark red-brown to black. Antenna dark red-brown to black, setae black, postpedicel elongate spindle-shaped (L:D=5.0:1). Mystax white, with a few black macrosetae along epistomal margin, on plane and mostly shiny apruinose face (narrow pruinose strips along eye margins). Ocellar tubercle with 2 macrosetae. Proboscis and palpi dark red-brown to black.

Thorax: Dark red-brown to blackish, extensively apruinose, pruinose areas silvery. Postpronotum strongly silver pruinose medially, extensively apruinose laterally, mesonotum apruinose except for narrow silver pruinose margins, macrosetae pale yellow, fine setae yellow-white. Scutellum apruinose except for anterior margin. Anepisternum with longish pale yellow posterior macroseta, dorsally pruinose, ventrally apruinose. Proepimeron pruinose except for small apruinose area posteriorly, katepisternum pruinose except for small apruinose part anteriorly, anepisternum pruinose. Legs: Dark red-brown, tibiae paler brownish, pulvilli and empodium of similar length. Hind femur dark red-brown, length:height ratio 3.6:1, ventral tubercles moderately developed. Hind tibia lacking ventrodistal spur. Wing: 4.1× 1.5 mm. Costal vein moderately developed along entire wing margin, but weak along anal cell and apparently absent from alula. Membrane extensively microtrichose (except for small parts of some proximally situated cells)— discal and r 5 cells entirely microtrichose.

Abdomen: Dark red-brown, largely apruinose, terga weakly pruinose along hind margins. T2 dark red-brown, apruinose except for weak, narrow, silver pruinose posterior margin. ơ genitalia ( Figs 45, 46 ): Epandrium in lateral view significantly longer than basal part of gonocoxite (i.e. excluding distal projection of gonocoxite and gonostylus). Proctiger long and moderately dorsoventrally compressed. Hypandrium highly reduced and simple. Gonocoxite in ventral view distally pointed, with moderately well-developed median hook-like projection distally and group of about 6 macrosetae laterally at mid-length; mediodistal projection short, stout, straight, strongly sclerotised. Gonostylus short, stout. Aedeagal base with pair of projections that exceptionally long, slender, strongly sclerotised, and gently downcurved to pointed tips; prongs tiny, slightly curved, poorly developed distally.

Holotype: MOZAMBIQUE: ơ ‘ 3.xii.2006 Mozambique / Sofala Prov. 30 km S Caia / 18.02S – 34.02E / P. Schüle leg.’ ( MRAC).

Paratypes: 1 ơ 1^same data and depository as holotype.

Distribution and biology: The species is known only from the type locality where it has been collected in December (Table 1). No biological data are available.

Similar species: A member of what is here called the ‘ cribrata species group’ which consists of crassipala , cribrata , eburacta , hesperia , malawi , similis , spicata and indica . These species are superficially similar, but can be easily separated on characters of the male genitalia. T. spicata has distinctive male genitalia that cannot be confused with any other species.

Figures

Figs 41–46. Trichardis species, male genitalia: (41, 42) lateral and ventral of T. pohli Geller-Grimm, 2002, Sokotra I.; (43, 44) lateral and ventral of T. similis sp. n., paratype, Kasungu National Park; (45, 46) lateral and ventral of T. spicata sp. n., paratype, 30 km S Caia. Scale lines = 1 mm.