Afromochtherus mkomazi, Londt, 2002

Londt, Jason G. H., 2002, Afrotropical Asilinae (Asilidae): A provisional key to genera, with a review of the status of Neomochtherus Osten Sacken, 1878, and descriptions of new genera and species, African Invertebrates 43, pp. 11-92 : 37-38

Afromochtherus mkomazi sp. n. ( Figs 73–79 )

Etymology: Named after the type locality of Mkomazi Nature Reserve.

Diagnosis: Head:Antennal scape blackish, pedicel mostly yellowish; postpedicel shorter than stylus. Thorax: Postpronotal lobe with setae of intermediate length. Dorsocentrals posterior to transverse suture only. Microtrichial coverage of wing moderate in distal area (proximal tip of cell r 5 bare). Prothoracic femur with long, fine, hair-like posteroventral setae only. Metathoracic coxa with one lateral macroseta; trochanter brownish yellow; femur yellow with brown-black markings anteriorly and macrosetae dark red-brown to black, although there may be a few yellow/white ones. Abdomen: Ovipositor relatively short and broad (length:width ratio, measured dorsally <3.3) and relatively short and deep (length:depth ratio, measured laterally <2.8). Gonocoxite length:width ratio <1.6. Distal margin of S8 lacking medial process or sclerotised area. Ventromedial area of hypandrium greatly constricted (ca. one quarter width of lateral parts). Gonostylus distally clubbed (viewed ventrally). Aedeagal terminal filaments not obvious. Gonostylus longer than gonocoxite (viewed ventrally). Aedeagus straight, relatively short and laterally compressed. Epandrium well-developed and rather bulbous (lobes almost as wide as long in dorsal view) with dorsal lobe. Distal tips of epandrial lobes turned sharply inwards towards each other such that tips touch.

Material examined: Holotype: TANZANIA: 1ơ, ‘ Tanzania: Mkomazi / Game Reserve. Ibaya / Camp. 3 ° 58'S: 37 ° 48'E / 880m A Russell-Smith / 16–17.ix.94 Unburnt hill.’ Paratypes: TANZANIA: 1ơ, ‘ Tanzania: Mkomazi / Game Reserve. Ibaya / Camp. 3 ° 58'S: 37 ° 48'E / 880m A Russell-Smith / 20.xi.95 Unburnt hill.’; 1ơ, ‘ Tanzania: Mkomazi / Game Reserve. Ibaya / Camp. 3 ° 58'S: 37 ° 48'E / 880m A Russell-Smith / Unburnt hillside 13.x.95’; 6ơ 4^, ‘ Tanzania: Mkomazi / Game Reserve. Ibaya / Camp. 3 ° 58'S: 37 ° 48'E / 880m A Russell-Smith / Burnt hillside 13.x.(2ơ), 14.x.(2ơ 1^), 15.x.(1^), 16.x.(1ơ 1^), 18.xi.(1ơ 1^) 1995’; 2ơ 1^, ‘ Tanzania: Mkomazi / Game Reserve. Ibaya / Camp. 3 ° 58'S: 37 ° 48'E / 880m A Russell-Smith / Malaise trap 29.i.1996 ’; 1^, ‘ Tanzania, Mkomazi / Game Reserve, Ibaya / Camp 3·58S 37·48E / 25.xii.1995 – 29.i.1996 ’, ‘S. van Noort / Malaise trap / Acacia / Commiphora / Combretum bushland’ (SAMC).

Type locality: Tanzania, Mkomazi Game Reserve, Ibaya Camp .

Comments: Known only from the Mkomazi Game Reserve in northern Tanzania. The only other species known from this region is unctus (Table 6), which is easily distinguished by its distinctive male genitalia.

Figures

Figs 73–79. Afromochtherus mkomazi sp. n. (Mkomazi ơ & ^). 73. Antenna. 74. Wing. 75–77. ơ genitalia. 75. Lateral. 76. Dorsal. 77. Ventral. 78–79. ^ genitalia. 78. Lateral. 79. Dorsal. Scale lines = 1 mm.