Tricyclea van der Wulp, 1884: 293

Kurahashi, Hiromu & Kirk-Spriggs, Ashley H., 2006, The Calliphoridae of Namibia (Diptera: Oestroidea), Zootaxa 1322 (1), pp. 1-131 : 70-74

Genus: Tricyclea van der Wulp, 1884: 293 .

TYPE SPECIES: Tricyclea ferruginea van der Wulp, 1884 , by monotypy.

NOTES: Tricyclea is restricted to the Afrotropical Region (Zumpt 1956: 111), where species appear to be associated with ants and/or termites (Ferrar 1987: 87). Larvae have been collected in the food stores of termite mounds and in heaps of rubbish piled up by ants and termites (Ferrar 1987: 87). Cuthbertson (1933: 106) records T. nigroseta Curran, 1927 , at the honeydew of cotton aphids ( Hemiptera : Aphididae ) and several females on fresh cattle dung in Zimbabwe. Other species are recorded as ovipositing in the nests of driver ants ( Dorylus ). Engel and Cuthbertson (1937: 9) note that flies feed on surface liquids of fresh cattle dung and faeces, on juices of fallen fruits (e.g. mangos), and on liquids from decaying mushrooms. Males are also occasionally encountered on the blossoms of shrubs. Often these published accounts of the biology of the genus were written when species of Hemigymnocheata were included in the generic concept of Tricyclea , and so care should be taken in their interpretation.

Tricyclea claripennis Séguy, 1933: 76 .

Fig. 69 .

TYPE LOCALITY: Chemba , Portuguese East Africa [= Mozambique] .

DISTRIBUTION: Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia *, South Africa (Transvaal) and Zimbabwe.

MATERIAL: 7♂, 1♀, Kubunyana camp: Kwando River, 28–30.x.2003, Kirk­Spriggs (2) ( MT) ; 1♀, Tsumkwe (2), 17–28.vii.1984, Griffin (1) , H62239; 11♂, 2♀, Kwando River: Susuwe , 28.ix–2.x.1998, Kirk­Spriggs (1) ( MT) dry woodland; 2♂, Okavango River at: 18–19.x.1999, Kirk­Spriggs (1), Pape & Hauwanga ( MT) .

NOTES: Biology, life history and immature stages unknown. In Namibia the species has only been collected in Malaise traps. North­eastern Namibia; in the ‘mesic’ savanna biome ( Fig. 69 ). Recorded in October (vide Table 2).

Tricyclea dubia Zumpt, 1953 a: 75.

Fig. 70 .

TYPE LOCALITY: S.W. Africa [= Namibia] .

DISTRIBUTION: Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria and South Africa (Natal).

PREVIOUS RECORD: Outjo [20°12'S, 16°15'E], 1.x.1952 (Zumpt 1953a: 75).

KNOWN RECORD: Outjo [20°12'S, 16°15'E], ix.1952 (NMSA).

MATERIAL: 1♂, Etosha Game Park at: 20.v–18.vi.1986 , Griffin (1) ( PT), H65570; 1♀, Kameseb , N of, 17.v–16.vi.1986 , Griffin (1) ( PT); 2♂, same except: 9.viii–14.ix.1987 ; 1♂, 1♀, same except: 12.x–11.xi.1986, Etosha Nat. Park Survey; 1♂, Bloubokkiedraai (1), 13.x.1986 , Marais & Griffin (2); 1♂, Tweekoppies , 19–20.i.1987 , Irish (1) & Marais; 1♂, Helio (2), 8.viii–14.ix.1987 , Griffin (1) ( PT); 1♂, Bloubokdraai , 10.viii–14.ix.1987 , Griffin (1) ( PT); 1♂, Omega , 21 km W, 30.x–5.xi.1987 , Marais ( PT); 1♂, Okahandja, 15.xi.[19]70, Gaerdes , H25126; 1♂, same except: 29.i.[19]72 , H25127; 1♂, same except: 4.i.[19]72 , H25127; 1♂, same except: 10.x.[19]71 , H25128; 1♀, Shaka: Salamabala [sic – Salambala] M8, 27.ii–2.iii.2001 , Kirk­ Spriggs (1) ( MT); 1♀, Katara , 1 km S of, 22–23.i.1998 , Kirk­Spriggs (1) & Marais ( MT) primary forest; 1♀, Simanya : Okavango River, 23–24.i.1998 , Kirk­Spriggs (1) & Marais ( MT) primary woodland; 1♂, 1♀, Nama , 20–22.xii.1998 , Kirk­Spriggs (1), Marais & Mann ( MT); 1♂, Helio (2), 27.iii–4.v.1988 , Griffin (1) ( PT); 1♂, 1♀, Aha Hills at(1): 21–25.xii.1998 , Kirk­ Spriggs (1), Marais & Mann ( MT); 4♀, Salambala forest , 23–29.xii.2002 , Kirk­Spriggs (2) ( MT); 3♂, 3♀, Okavango River at: 18–19.x.1999 , Kirk­Spriggs (1), Pape & Hauwanga ( MT); 1♂, 2♀, Bum Hill campsite ( Kwando River), 10–13.ii.2004 , Kirk­Spriggs (1) ( MT); 1♂, 1♀, Hamakari 285(2), 25.vii–25.viii.1991 , Pusch ( PT); 4♂, 3♀, same except: 19.vi–25.vii.1991 .

NOTES: Biology, life history and immature stages unknown. In Namibia the species has been collected in pitfall and Malaise traps. North­central and north­eastern Namibia; in the ‘arid’ and ‘mesic’ savanna biome ( Fig. 70 ). Probably occurring throughout the year (vide Table 2).

Tricyclea faciata ferruginea van der Wulp, 1884 : ccxciv (as sp.).

Fig. 71 .

TYPE LOCALITY: South Africa .

DISTRIBUTION: Southern and western Africa: Botswana, Ghana, Liberia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa (Natal), Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

PREVIOUS RECORD: Okakatora [locality unknown] (Zumpt 1953c: 503).

KNOWN RECORD: Okakatora [locality unknown], 24.iv.1950 (NMSA).

MATERIAL: 3♂, Takuasa , 14–19.viii.1971, [SMstaff], H3026 ; 1♂, Bloubokkiedraai (2), 28.iii–28.iv.1988, Griffin (1) ( PT) ; 1♂, 1♀, Mushare, S of, 6.iii–11.iv.1987, Griffin (1) ( PT) ; 1♀, Poacher’s Point , 21.v–20.vi.1986, Griffin (1) ( PT) ; 1♂, 1♀, Helio (2), 27.iii–4.v.1988, Griffin (1) ( PT) ; 1♂, 3♀, Okahandja v.1968, Gaerdes, H25133 ; 1♂, Kameseb , 9.viii–14.ix.1987, Griffin (1) ( PT) ; 1♀, Hamakari Süd 373(3), 19.vi–25.vii.1991, Pusch ( PT) ; 1♂, 1♀, Hamakari 285(2), 19.vi–25.vii.1991, Pusch ( PT) ; 1♀, Hamakari 285(1), 18.i–20.ii.1992, Pusch ( PT) ; 2♀, CDM Camp Tsumkwe , v.1993, Green ( PT) ; 1♂, Wolfsnes, W of, 24.iii–10.v.1988, Griffin (1) ( PT) ; 1♀, Okaukuejo (1), vi.1991, Versfeld ; 1♂, 1♀, Soncana , 6 km E, 18–21.i.1991, Marais ; 1♂, Waterberg Plateau Park, Onjoka , iv.1992, Green ( MT) ; 1♂, Katima Mulilo , 11–14.iv.1997, Marais ( YP) floodplain savanna; 1♀, Kuru , 3 km W, 9–28.i.1991, Marais ( PT) ; 1♀, Ekuju village : Kunene River, 11–12.x.1999, Kirk­Spriggs (1), Pape & Hauwanga ( MT) riverine forest; 1♀, Namutoni EE Centre, 4–5.iii.1998, Kirk­Spriggs (1) ( YP) ; 1♂, 4♀, Sovo area , 22–24.iv.2001, Marais & Kasch ( HT) ; 1♂, Kwando River: Susuwe , 28.ix–2.x.1998, Kirk­ Spriggs (1) ( MT) dry woodland; 2♀, Simanya : Okavango River, 23–24.i.1998, Kirk­Spriggs (1) & Marais ( MT) primary woodland; 1♀, Katara : Okavango River, 20–23.i.1998, Kirk­ Spriggs (1) & Marais ( MT) ; 1♂, 2♀, Salambala , 4 km NE of, 25.ii–1.iii.2001, Kirk­Spriggs (1) & Marais ( MT) ; 7♂, 3♀, Salambala campsite, 22–24.ii.2001, Kirk­Spriggs (1) & Marais ( MT) ; 60♂, 37♀, same except: 26–28.ii.2001, Marais & Kirk­Spriggs (1) ( HT) fruit; 4♂, 4♀, same except: 3–4.iii.2001, Kirk­Spriggs (1) ( HT) fish; 2♂, 4♀, same except: 1–3.iii.2001, Kirk­ Spriggs (1) ( HT) faeces; 2♀, Salambala pan, 1–4.iii.2001, Kirk­Spriggs (1) ( MT) ; 1♂, 3♀, Rundu (Kavango Lodge ), 27–29.iii.2003, Kirk­Spriggs (1) & Mey ( LT) ; 2♀, Mannheim Research Station , 31.i–7.ii.2000, Kirk­Spriggs (1) ( MT) mango plantation; 3♂, 10♀, Salambala campsite, 1–4.iii.2001, Kirk­Spriggs (1) ( PT) baited millipede; 2♂, 4♀, same except: 8–10.ii.2004, Kirk­Spriggs (1) ( HT) fruit; 5♂, 5♀, same except: 8–10.ii.2004, Kirk­Spriggs (1) ( MT) ; 6♂, 5♀, Bum Hill campsite ( Kwando River), 1–13.ii.2004, Kirk­Spriggs (1) ( HT) fruit; 2♂, 5♀, same except: ( MT) ; 5♂, 13♀, Popa Falls restcamp, 13–16.ii.2004, Kirk­Spriggs (1) ( MT) , riverine forest; 2♂, 2♀, Hippo Lodge (Zambezi River), 6–7.ii.2004, Kirk­Spriggs (1) ( HT) fruit; 1♀, same except: ( MT) ; 1♂, Veterinary Services HQ ( KM1 )(1) , 6–13.ii.2004, Mudenga ( NU­L) .

NOTES: Ferrar (1987: 87) and Zumpt (1953c: 503) refer to a record of Tricyclea faciata ferruginea by Cuthbertson (1935: 19, as T. evanida ) as feeding on a broken down fungus bed, on young termite workers, and at the honeydew of aphids. Tricyclea evanida is a junior synonym of T. fasciata fasciata (according to Zumpt himself (ibid, p. 518)) and Pont (1980: 798). Fritz Zumpt had access to Cuthbertson’s material, but makes no reference to a misidentification of that species by Cuthbertson; it is therefore not clear to which subspecies this record truly refers. In Namibia the species has been collected in pitfall, Malaise and yellow pan traps; it comes to UV­light, and has been collected in hanging traps baited with fermenting fruit bait, mango and faeces, and in a pitfall trap baited with a dead millipede. Central and north­eastern Namibia; in the ‘arid’ and ‘mesic’ savanna and nama­karoo biomes (Etosha pan) ( Fig. 71 ). Recorded throughout the year, except November and December (vide Table 2).

Tricyclea flavida (Malloch, 1927: 388) ( Kenia) .

Fig. 72 .

TYPE LOCALITY: Kenya .

DISTRIBUTION: Botswana, Kenya, Namibia *, Sudan and Zambia.

MATERIAL: 1♀, Duikersdrink , 8.x–14.xi.1986, Griffin (1) ( PT) ; 1♀, Kaross , 9.ii–20.iii.1987, Griffin (1) ( PT) ; 2♂, 1♀, Ruacana area , 14.iii.1997, Koch ( MT) ; 2♀, Simanya : Okavango River, 23–24.i.1998, Kirk­Spriggs (1) & Marais ( MT) primary woodland; 1♂, Okongo , 29 km E, 14–15.x.1999, Kirk­Spriggs (1), Pape & Hauwanga ( MT) dry woodland; 1♀, Amkarub 269(2), granite hills at: 24–26.v.2001, Kirk­Spriggs (1) & Marais ( MT) ; 3♀, Amkarub 269(1), river on at: 24–26.v.2001, Kirk­Spriggs (1) & Marais ( MT) ; 2♂, Epembe NW at: 8.x.1999, Kirk­ Spriggs (1), Pape & Hauwanga ( MT) riverbed.

NOTES: Zumpt (1956: 127) records the species (as T. par ), but makes no reference to its biology, which appears to be unknown. In Namibia the species has been collected in pitfall traps, but predominantly in Malaise traps. North and north­western Namibia; in the ‘arid’ savanna and nama­karoo biomes (Etosha pan) ( Fig. 72 ). Recorded from December to March and in May and October (vide Table 2).

Tricyclea martini (Zumpt, 1953b: 188) (Keniella) .

Fig. 73 .

TYPE LOCALITY: Bechuanaland [= Botswana] .

DISTRIBUTION: Botswana, Namibia * and Zimbabwe *.

MATERIAL: 1♀, Tsumkwe (2), 17–28.vii.1984, Griffin (1), H62219 ; 1♀, Poacher’s Point , 21.v–20.vi.1986, Griffin (1) ( PT) ; 1♀, Kameseb , 9.viii–14.ix.1987, Griffin (1) ( PT) ; 1♀, Hamakari Süd 373(4), 19.vi–25.vii.1991, Pusch ( PT) ; 1♂, Hamakari Süd 373(1), 27.ix–26.x.1991, Pusch ( PT) ; 1♂, 2♀, same except: 18.i–20.ii.1992; 1♂, 1♀, same except: 20.ii–25.iv.1992; 4♀, Hamakari Süd 373(2), 18.i–20.ii.1992, Pusch ( PT) ; 4♀, Hamakari 285(1), 20.xi.1991 – 18.i.1992, Pusch ( PT) ; 5♀, same except: 27.ix–26.x.1991; 3♀, Hamakari 285(2), 19.vi–25.vii.1991, Pusch ( PT) ; 1♀, Waterberg Plateau Park (1), 31.iii–30.iv.1992, Pusch ( PT) ; 2♀, Hereroland­West at(1): 18.i–25.ii.1992, Pusch ( PT) ; 1♀, Hereroland­West at(2): 18.i–25.ii.1992, Pusch ( PT) ; 3♂, 1♀, Mushara, South of, 6.iii–11.iv.1987, Griffin (1) ( PT) ; 1♀, same except: 27.iii–28.iv.1988; 1♂, Mushara , 27.iii–28.iv.1988, Griffin (1) ( PT) ; 2♂, 24♀, CDM Camp Tsumkwe , v.1993, Green ( PT) ; 3♀, Waterberg Plateau Park, Onjoka , iv.1992, Green ( MT) ; 5♂, 1♀, Fort Doppies , 20–21.x.1999, Kirk­Spriggs (1), Pape & Hauwanga ; 2♂, 1♀, Katara : Okavango River, 20–23.i.1998, Kirk­Spriggs (1) & Marais ( MT) ; 9♂, 1♀, Nama , 20–22.xii.1998, Kirk­Spriggs (1), Marais & Mann ( MT) ; 15♂, 2♀, Kwando River: Susuwe , 28.ix–2.x.1998, Kirk­Spriggs (1) ( MT) dry woodland; 1♀, same except: 26–29.ix.1998 ( YP) experiment; 1♀, Sprokieswoud , 27.iii–10.v.1988, Griffin (1) ( PT) ; 2♂, Aha Hills at(1): 21–25.xii.1998, Kirk­Spriggs (1), Marais & Mann ( MT) ; 1♀, Nhoma River, 1 km E of, 28.xii.1998, Marais, Kirk­Spriggs (1) & Mann ( MT) ; 1♂, Simanya : Okavango River, 23–24.i.1998, Kirk­Spriggs (1) & Marais ( MT) primary woodland; 1♂, Sovo , 21–24.iv.2001, Marais, Kasch & Vohland ( MT) deciduous woodland: BIOTA #02.101.01.7.04; 1♂, 1♀, Mile 46 Agric. Research Sta. , 21–24.iv.2001, Marais, Kasch & Vohland, Acacia dominated interdune ( MT) : BIOTA #01.101.01.7.04; 1♂, 1♀, Okavango River at: 18–19.x.1999, Kirk­Spriggs (1), Pape & Hauwanga ( MT) ; 46♂, 17♀, Salambala forest , 23–29.xii.2002, Kirk­Spriggs (2) ( MT) ; 1♂, mopane in Salambala M4, 24–26.ii.2001, Marais & Kirk­Spriggs (1) ( MT) ; 1♂, Shaka: Salamabala [sic – Salambala] M8, 27.ii–2.iii.2001, Kirk­Spriggs (1) ( MT) ; 3♂, Salambala campsite, 22–24.ii.2001, Kirk­Spriggs (1) & Marais ( MT) ; 3♂, 3♀, same except: 23–28.xii.2002, Kirk­Spriggs (2) ( HT) mango; 1♂, Mutompo area (1), 21–25.iv.2001, Marais, Kasch & Vohland ( MT) deciduous woods, BIOTA #02.101.01.7.04; 2♂, Nova , 5 km N, 16–18.xii.1999, Marais, Mann & Newman, MMN8 ( MT) ; 3♂, 1♀, Salambala , 4 km NE of, 25.ii–1.iii.2001, Kirk­Spriggs (1) & Marais ( MT) ; 2♂, Salambala pan, 1–4.iii.2001, Kirk­ Spriggs (1) ( MT) ; 1♂, 1♀, same except: 23–27.xii.2002, Kirk­Spriggs (2) ( MT) ; 1♂, Somerkoms 521, 6–8.ii.2001, Kirk­Spriggs (1), Marais & Wheeler ( MT) ; 1♀, Kwando River: Susuwe , 26–29.ix.1998, Kirk­Spriggs (1) ( WP) experiment; 2♀, Erichsfelde 44, 20–22.iii.2003, Kirk­ Spriggs (1) ( MT) ; 1♂, same except: ( YP) open savanna; 1♂, Mile 46, 25–27.iii.2003, Kirk­ Spriggs (1) ( MT) ; 4♂, 1♀, Xawasha pan, 27.xii.1998, Kirk­Spriggs (1) ( MT) ; 3♂, 2♀, Hippo Lodge (Zambezi River), 6–7.ii.2004, Kirk­Spriggs (1) ( MT) ; 1♂, 2♀, Popa Falls restcamp, 13–16.ii.2004, Kirk­Spriggs (1) ( MT) , riverine forest; 1♂, 2♀, Salambala campsite, 8–10.ii.2004, Kirk­Spriggs (1) ( MT) .

NOTES: Biology, life history and immature stages unknown. In Namibia the species has been collected in pitfall, yellow and white pans and Malaise traps, and also in hanging traps baited with fermenting mango. Central and north­eastern Namibia; in the ‘arid’ and ‘mesic’ savanna and nama­karoo biomes (Etosha Pan) ( Fig. 73 ). Recorded throughout the year, except November; most abundantly in December (vide Table 2).

Tricyclea semicinerea Bezzi, 1908b: 77 .

Fig. 74 .

TYPE LOCALITY: Eritrea [= Ethiopia] .

DISTRIBUTION: Widespread West Africa to southern Africa: Angola, Ethiopia, Liberia, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa (Natal, Transvaal), Zambia and Zimbabwe.

MATERIAL: 2♂, 1♀, Tsumkwe (2), 17–28.vii.1984, Griffin (1), H62219 ; 1♀, Ruacana area , 14.iii.1997, Koch ( MT) ; 1♂, Onduri , 14–26.i.1993, Marais (1) ( PT) ; 1♂, 2♀, Otjiku 192, 16–29.xi.1988, Marais (PT & BT) ; 1♂, 2♀, Okavarumendu 262, 10.xi.1994 – 26.i.1995, Marais ( PT) ; 1♀, Tokat 343, 10.xi.1994, Marais ( PT) ; 2♀, Nova , 5 km N, 16–18.xii.1999, Marais, Mann & Newman, MMN8 ( MT) ; 1♀, Epukiro River, 3 km N at: 9–11.ii.2001, Kirk­Spriggs (1) & Marais ( MT) ; 1♀, Salambala campsite, 22–24.ii.2001, Kirk­Spriggs (1) & Marais ( MT) ; 2♂, 2♀, Omatako Ranch 305, 22–24.iii.2003, Kirk­Spriggs (1) ( MT) ; 2♂, Erichsfelde 44, 19–22.iii.2003, Kirk­Spriggs (1) & Mey ( LT) ; 3♀, same except: 20–22.iii.2003, Kirk­ Spriggs (1) ( MT) ; 1♀, Varianto 771/2, 30.iii–1.iv.2003, Kirk­Spriggs (1) ( MT) ; 15♂, 17♀, Leeukop 664, 26–30.x.2001, Kirk­Spriggs (1) & Marais ( MT) riverbed; 2♂, 5♀, Kubunyana camp: Kwando River, 28–30.x.2003, Kirk­Spriggs (2) ( MT) .

NOTES: Cuthbertson (1933: 106) records the species (as T. palliventris ) as occurring on fresh faeces and cattle dung, and notes that females were collected at heaps of cut grass and other decaying vegetable matter (decaying sweet potato tubers). Engel and Cuthbertson (1937: 11) recorded oviposition in nest openings of driver ants ( Dorylus ) in Zimbabwe. In Namibia the species has been collected in pitfall and Malaise traps and comes to UV­light. Appears to be widely distributed in central, north and north­eastern Namibia; apparently restricted to the ‘arid’ and ‘mesic’ savanna biome ( Fig. 74 ). Recorded from January to March and October to December; most abundantly in October (vide Table 2).

SUBFAMILY: CHRYSOMYINAE

Figures

FIGURES 69–74. Distributions of Namibian Calliphoridae species. 69. Tricyclea claripennis Séguy. 70. T. dubia Zumpt. 71. T. faciata ferruginea van der Wulp. 72. T. flavida (Malloch). 73. T. martini (Zumpt). 74. T. semicinerea Bezzi.