Hippomachus Engel, 1927

Londt, Jason G. H., 1983, Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 9. The genus Hippomachus Engel, 1927 (Asilinae: Asilini), ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 25 (2), pp. 441-448 : 441-442

Hippomachus Engel, 1927

Trichonotus Loew, 1858: 365 (also 1860: 165). Type species: T. pegasus Loew, 1858 by monotypy.

Hippomachus Engel, 1927: 148. Replacement namc for Trichonotus-preoccupied Schneider 1801. Applied by Engel as a subgenus.

Diagnosis: Hippomachus is characterised by the following combination of characters. Mesonotum with a well-defined narrow black mane; wing strongly dilated anteriorly in the male sex; vein M3 not bulging forwards into discal cell as in Synolcus , but straight and almost parallel with M1+2 over entire length; cross-vein r-m positioned at a point at least three-quarters the way along the discal cell distally; vein R4 with characteristic sinuous appearance, bulging forwards at midlength; profile of face slightly convex as in Dasophrys but more obvious dorsally than ventrally (the opposite true of Dasophrys ); ovipositor laterally compressed, and in lateral view about twice as long as wide,

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Key to species of Hippomachus

Hippomachus species, like most species in the Neolophonotus group of genera, are characterised mainly on features of the male genitalia, It is therefore important to study these before making a final identification,

1 Ocellar setae black; postocular setae white; terga 3-5 with well-developed bristles on hind margin; ♂ genitalia as in Figs 8-11 "',', mivatus (Walker)

- Ocellar setae white; at least a few postocular setae black or brown; terga 3-5 with poorly developed marginal bristles, ......,,.............. ..... ... 2

2 Bristles of ventral aspect of hind femora dark red-brown; ♂ genitalia as in Figs 16- 18 ......................................... ... hermanni sp. n.

- Bristles of ventral aspect of hind femora orange...................... ... 3

3 ♂ genitalia as in Figs 3-6. Style twice as long as gonocoxites .. pegasus (Loew) d' genitalia as in Figs 13-15 . Style about as long as gonocoxites. engeli sp. n.

Figures

Figs 8-12. Hippomachus mivatus (Walker), genitalia. 8- 11. Obock male. 8. Lateral. 9. Dorsal. 10. Ventral. 11. Lateral aspect of gonocoxite, style and aedeagus. 12. Holotype female ovipositor (dry).

Figs 16-18. Hippomachus hermanni sp. n. holotype male genitalia. 16. Lateral. 17. Lateral aspect of gonocixite, style and aedeagus. 18. Dorsal view of epandrial lobe

Figs 13-15. Hippomachus engeli sp. n. holotype male genitalia. 13. Lateral. 14. Lateral aspect of gonocoxite, style and aedeagus. 15. Dorsal view of epandrial lobe.