Exoprosopa erronea Bezzi, 1924

Greathead, D. J., 2001, A study of the Exoprosopa busiris (Jaennicke) group of Bezzi (1924) in tropical Africa (Diptera: Bombyliidae), Journal of Natural History 35 (1), pp. 127-147 : 141-142

Exoprosopa erronea Bezzi

Exoprosopa erronea Bezzi 1924: 354 , Malawi [examined]

This species was placed in group 12 by Bezzi (1924), a group he used for species with totally hyaline wings, although the wings have a distinct but pale infuscation, as noted in his description. The wings of Tanzanian specimens have a darker and more distinct infuscation than the type series but are otherwise identical. This and the following two species are relatively small (10±12 mm) and have a narrow abdomen. Together with E. W ssicornis they have a pale wing infuscation, lacking distinct spots. E. erronea has more intensely yellow scales than these other species but is very similar in appearance to the West African species described below as E. glossops but, unlike it, has a minute terminal second ¯agellomere.

Diagnosis

Body narrow, almost parallel-sided. First ¯agellomere long and robust, with second minute, so that the antenna appears to have only one ¯agellomere. Legs black with black scales. Wing with discal cell narrow. Fore border with a narrow pale brown infuscation, membrane tinged brown and with traces of spots on crossveins. Pale hair on thorax and ®rst abdominal tergum yellow as are the scale bands on the abdomen. These very wide, more than half width of terga. White scales on katepisternum, coxae and abdominal sterna. Male genitalia similar to those of E. brevinasis . Spermatheca very elongate as E. W ssicornis. Length of body, 9±11 mm; of wing, 10±12 mm.

Material examined

Tanzania: 70 miles N of Dodoma, 1 4 l m, 2.v.1966, D. and A. Greathead ; 80 miles N of Dodoma, 2m, 8.v.1966, D. and A. Greathead ; 50±70 miles N of Dodoma, 1m, 20.iv.1967, D. J. Greathead ; 70 miles N of Dodoma, 2 4 l m, 15.v.1968, D. J. Greathead (all DJG) .

Distribution Malawi, Tanzania.