Apiocera alastor (Walker)

D. K. Yeates, 1994, Revision of African Apiocera (Diptera: Apioceridae), Ann. Natal Mus. 35, pp. 123-131 : 124-127

Apiocera alastor (Walker)

Figs 2, 8, 10

Asilus alastor Walker, 1849: 444 .

Apiocera africana Paramonov, 1950: 104 . Syn. n.

Types: Asilus alastor , holotype male: ' TYPE Asilus alastor Walker / S. Africa Dr A. Smith 44.6/39 a’ ( BMNH) . Condition poor, body covered in fine cream-coloured detritus, head of holotype replaced with that from a different species (glued onto thorax, one antennal flagellum missing). Both fore, one mid and one hind leg missing, as are hind tarsi and mid tarsomeres 4+5. Apiocera africana , syntype male: " Sutherland Distr. C. P., H. Zinn January 1947 / SA. Museum / Apiocera africana nov. male Typus, Paramonov det. / TYPE’ ( SAMC) . Condition good, right hind tarsomeres 2-5 missing. Syntype female: " Sutherland Distr. C.P., H. Zinn January 1947 / S. A. Museum / Apiocera africana nov. ♀ Typus, Paramonov det. / TYPE’ ( SAMC) . Condition good, left antennal flagellum and left hind leg missing.

Diagnosis: Scutum and abdominal tergites strongly marked in chocolate brown and white (Fig. 2). Antennal flagellum light brown, scutellum with white pruinescence; costal vein ending at A1, male genitalia with plume of long white hairs at apex of gonocoxites.

Other specimens examined: SOUTH AFRICA: Cape: l ♂ ' 1 ♀, same data as syntypes but labelled ' Cotypus’ ( SAMC) ; 1 ♂ 3 ♀, Tankwa [Distr.], Karoo , i. 1 949, Zinn-Hesse Mus. Exp. ( SAMC) .

Comments: The holotype of A. alastor (Walker) is currently a ‘mosaic’, consisting of parts from different specimens. Its body belongs to the original specimen seen by Walker, but the head is from a different (probably Australian) species. The holotype’s head was clearly present originally, as Walker described its features, including the black palpi with black bristles. The replacement head has light brown-yellow palpi with yellow-white hairs.

This species is only represented in collections by a handful of specimens, all from the southwestern Cape (Fig. 10).