Rhabdogaster zebra, Londt, 2006

Londt, Jason G. H., 2006, A review of the Afrotropical genus Rhabdogaster Loew, 1858 with descriptions of new species (Diptera: Asilidae: Stenopogoninae), African Invertebrates 47, pp. 243-313 : 288-289

Rhabdogaster zebra sp. n.

Figs 116–118

Etymology: From ‘zebra’, a striped African equine. Refers to the zebra-like pattern of this black species with its silver pruinescence.

Description: Based mainly on holotype ơ (slightly twisted as a result of being mounted from alcohol).

Head: Black, silver pruinose, white setose. Antenna dark red-brown to black, setae white (a few black dorsally on pedicel). Face entirely shiny pruinose. Mystax entirely white, occupying approx. lower one third of face. Frons partly pruinose ventrally, vertex entirely apruinose (including ocellar tubercle). Occiput entirely pruinose. Proboscis and palpi dark red-brown, setae white.

Thorax: Dark red-brown to black, silver pruinose, white setose. Mesonotum dark redbrown with brown-red postpronotal and postalar lobes, extensively apruinose (including postpronotal and postalar lobes) except for silver pruinose lateral and posterior margins, and a pair of narrow strips following dorsocentral setae (strips broader immediately posterior of postpronotal lobes). Pleura extensively pruinose except for spots on katepisternum (weak) and anepisternum. Scutellum largely apruinose except for pruinose ring encircling disc, with 2 moderately developed sctl s accompanied by approx. 8 small setae. Postmetacoxal bridge entirely silver pruinose. Legs: cx dark red-brown, silver pruinose, white setose; troc, tib and tar dark red-brown except for proximal parts of tib that are orange, setae mostly white (black ones occur on tar). Wing 3.8 x 1.5 mm, veins brown-yellow, membrane transparent, unstained, largely microtrichose (absent proximally). Discal cell entirely microtrichose, costal cell largely lacking microtrichia except for a few distally.

Abdomen: Dark red-brown to black, silver pruinose, black and white setose. Tergites largely apruinose except for anterolateral corners, setae black on apruinose areas, white on pruinose ones. Sternites entirely pruinose, white setose. Terminalia ( Figs 116– 118 paratype): epand in lateral view, stout, projecting to same level attained by outer lobe of goncx, tapering to somewhat truncate tip; in dorsal view lobes separated, but touching proximomedially; hypd in lateral view, shorter than both epand and outer lobe of goncx, slightly curved; in ventral view broadly-rounded proximally, tapering rapidly before expanding to broadly-bilobed terminal process. In lateral view external lobe of goncx long, proximal half fairly broad, distal half elongate, projecting well beyond level attained by hypd.

Variation: A uniform species. Apruinose area of katepisternum may be poorly or fairly well defined. Female unknown.

Holotype: ơ ANGOLA: ‘ Angola : 5 km e. / Capangombe 15 ° 05'S / 17–20.x.1974 13 ° 10'E / Malaise trap’ . Paratypes: 3ơ same data as holotype.

Distribution, phenology and biology (Tables 1, 2): Recorded only from the type locality in Angola. Malaise-trapped in October.

Similar species: R. kosmos sp. n.

Figures

Figs 116–127. Rhabdogaster species, male terminalia: (116–118) R. zebra sp. n., Capangombe holotype: (116) lateral, (117) dorsal, (118) ventral; (119–121) R. zilla sp. n., Farmer’s Brigade paratype: (119) lateral, (120) dorsal, (121) ventral; (122–124) R. zopheros sp. n., Tundavala paratype: (122) lateral, (123) dorsal, (124) ventral; (125–127) R. cinerascens (Wulp, 1899), Nr Muhail: (125) lateral, (126) dorsal, (127) ventral. Scale bars = 1 mm.