Exoprosopa linearis Bezzi, 1924

Greathead, D. J., 2001, A study of the Exoprosopa busiris (Jaennicke) group of Bezzi (1924) in tropical Africa (Diptera: Bombyliidae), Journal of Natural History 35 (1), pp. 127-147 : 144-145

Exoprosopa linearis Bezzi

Exoprosopa linearis Bezzi, 1924: 339 , Yemen (Aden) [examined]

E. linearis is the most northerly of the species and one of the smallest (10±11 mm). It also has a long narrow abdomen and a broader more rounded epiphallus than other species in this study suggesting that it is not closely related to the others but because of its similar general appearance I have included it. Bezzi (1924) gave a full description and Greathead (1967) illustrated the male genitalia.

Diagnosis

Narrow bodied and elongate with yellow hair on the thorax and ®rst abdominal tergum. Silver scale patch present on katepisternum. No white scale band on ®fth abdominal tergum. Abdominal sterna with predominantly white scales. Second ¯agellomere minute. Legs dark reddish with black scales. Wings infused pale brown with darker brown fore border and somewhat darker borders to veins. Epiphallus broad and rounded ( Greathead, 1967; ®gure 93). Length of body, 10±11 mm; of wing, 10±11 mm.

Material examined

Eritrea: ( Greathead, 1967); Oman: ( Greathead, 1980b); Yemen: ( Greathead, 1980a) ( DJG).

Distribution Eritrea, Oman, Yemen.