Afromochtherus malawi, 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 : 33

Afromochtherus malawi sp. n. ( Figs 45–51 )

Etymology: Named after the country of Malawi.

Diagnosis: Head: Antennal scape and pedicel yellowish; postpedicel shorter than stylus. Thorax: Postpronotal lobe with short setae. Dorsocentrals posterior to transverse suture only. Microtrichial coverage moderate, confined to distal and posterior parts of wing (proximal tip of cell r 5 bare). Prothoracic femur with two or three shortish posteroventral macrosetae. Metathoracic coxa with two lateral macrosetae; trochanter brownish yellow; femur yellow with brown-black markings anteriorly and with dark red-brown to black macrosetae. 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 1.6–2.0. Distal margin of S8 lacking median process or sclerotised area. Hypandrium with ventromedial area greatly constricted (ca. one quarter width of lateral parts). Gonostylus distally clubbed (viewed ventrally). Aedeagal terminal filaments tiny, poorly developed. Gonostylus longer than gonocoxite (viewed ventrally). Aedeagus straight, relatively short and laterally compressed. Epandrium with dorsal process/lobe.

Material examined: Holotype: MALAWI: 1ơ, ‘Malawi 35km SE of / Monkey Bay on road / to Mangochi 1434 Aa / 12.xii.1980 500m / Londt & Stuckenberg / mixed woodland’. Paratypes: MALAWI: 1ơ 1^, same data as holotype .

Type locality: Malawi, 35 km S.E. Monkey Bay .

Comments: Most similar to peri and sathus , but easily distinguished using male genital characters. Known only from the type locality.

Figures

Figs 45–51. Afromochtherus malawi sp. n. (Monkey Bay ơ & ^). 45.Antenna. 46. Wing. 47–49. ơ genitalia. 47. Lateral. 48. Dorsal. 49. Ventral. 50–51. ^ genitalia. 50. Lateral. 51. Dorsal. Scale lines = 1 mm.