Afromochtherus unctus (Oldroyd, 1939)

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 : 40

Afromochtherus unctus (Oldroyd, 1939) ( Figs 95–102 )

Neomochtherus unctus Oldroyd, 1939: 37 ; Hull, 1962: 591; Tsacas, 1969: 31–32.

Neomochtherus genialis Tsacas, 1969: 18 . Syn. n.

Afromochtherus unctus ; Lehr, 1996: 72.

Afromochtherus genialis ; Lehr, 1996: 72.

Type material: Holotype: KENYA: 1ơ [ unctus seen], ‘Holo- / type’, ‘ơ / Type’ , ‘ Chania Falls. [stream 01 ° 02'S: 37 ° 04'E] / 4,000 ft. / F.W. Edwards. ’, ‘ Kenya: / Aberdare Range. / x.1934. / B.M.E.Afr.Exp. / B.M. 1935-203.’ ( BMNH) ; Holotype: MALAWI: 1ơ [ genialis seen] 1^ allotype, 1ơ paratype [not seen], Mlanje [1602S:3530E], 11.xii.1914, S. E. Neave ( BMNH) .

Material examined: MALAWI: 1ơ 1^, Zomba Plateau, 1535Ad, 1500 m, 24–27.xi.1980, Stuckenberg & Londt, Montane forest; 4ơ 4^, Mulanje Mnt., Likabula river valley, 1535Dc, 1000 m, 28–30.xi.1980, Stuckenberg & Londt, Riverine Brachystegia woodland. TANZANIA: 1ơ, Mkomazi Game Reserve, Ibaya Camp , 3 ° 58'S: 37 ° 48'E, 880 m, 27–28.xi.1994, Russell-Smith, Unburnt hill; 2ơ, Mkomazi Game Reserve, Kisima Plot , 4 ° 06·06'S 38 ° 05·58'E’, 25.xi.–8.xii.1995, van Noort, Malaise trap, Acacia / Commiphora bushland (SAMC).

Type locality: Kenya, Aberdare Range, Chania Falls area.

Comments: I have studied the unique holotype of unctus which Tsacas probably did not see as he provided no detailed illustrations of the genitalia, but merely repeated Oldroyd’s (1939) figure. I also examined the holotype of genialis , and although there is some individual variation, I believe these specimens to be conspecific. Other specimens also show slight morphological differences when compared with the holotype. These differences have been accepted as intraspecific variation.

Figures

Figs 95–102. Afromochtherus unctus (Oldroyd, 1939). 95. Antenna. 96. Wing. 97–100. ơ genitalia. (Chania Falls ơ holotype). 97. Lateral. 98. Dorsal. 99. Ventral. 100. Detail of aedeagus, lateral. 101–102. ^ genitalia. (Mulanje ^). 101. Lateral. 102. Dorsal. Scale lines = 1 mm.