Afromochtherus astiptus, 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 : 32

Afromochtherus astiptus sp. n. ( Figs 33–37 )

Etymology: Gr. astiptos – desert. Refers to the arid area in which the species was collected.

Diagnosis: Head:Antennal scape blackish, pedicel mostly yellowish; postpedicel shorter than stylus. Thorax: Postpronotal lobe equipped with short setae. Dorsocentrals posterior to transverse suture only. Microtrichial coverage of wing largely confined to distal and posterior parts (proximal tip of cell r 5 bare). Prothoracic femur with long, fine, hair-like posteroventral setae. Metathoracic coxa with two lateral macrosetae; trochanter brownish yellow; femur largely yellowish anteriorly (distal end darker) and with both blackish and yellowish macrosetae. Abdomen: Gonocoxite length:width ratio between 2.1–2.5. Distal margin of S8 with pointed median process. Hypandrium with ventromedial area greatly constricted (ca. quarter width of lateral parts). Gonostylus moderately slender (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: NAMIBIA: 1ơ, ‘ Aar 16 / Luderitz / SE 2616 Da / 5 Mar. 1972 ’, ‘H7280’ ( NMNW).

Type locality: Namibia, Luderitz , Aar 16 [farm] .

Comments:A species based on a single male specimen, in fair condition, collected near Luderitz. The male genitalia are similar to a few other species in the genus, but differ, particularly in the shape of the epandrium (dorsal aspect), gonocoxite and gonostylus (ventral aspect). The female is unknown.

Figures

Figs 33–37. Afromochtherus astiptus sp. n. (Luderitz ơ). 33. Antenna. 34. Wing. 35–37. ơ genitalia. 35. Lateral. 36. Dorsal. 37. Ventral. Scale lines = 1 mm.