Afromochtherus kolodrilus, 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 : 32-33

Afromochtherus kolodrilus sp. n. ( Figs 38–44 )

Etymology: Gr. kolos – shortened + drilos – penis, refers to the relatively short aedeagus of this species.

Diagnosis: Head:Antennal scape and pedicel yellowish; postpedicel and stylus of similar length. Thorax: Postpronotal lobe with longish setae. Dorsocentrals posterior to transverse suture only. Wing with extensive microtrichial coverage (cell r 5 entirely covered). Prothoracic femur with long, fine, hair-like posteroventral setae. Metathoracic coxa with two lateral macrosetae; trochanter brownish yellow; femur entirely brownish yellow anteriorly and with anterior macrosetae mostly yellow/white (a few blackish ones may be present). Abdomen: Ovipositor relatively short and broad (length:width ratio, measured dorsally <3.3) and relatively short and deep (length:depth ratio, measured laterally – <2.8). Gonocoxite length:width ratio 2.1–2.5. Distal margin of S8 with weakly developed sclerotised area. Hypandrium with ventromedial area moderately constricted (ca. half width of lateral parts). Gonostylus distally clubbed (viewed ventrally).Aedeagal terminal filaments very small and poorly developed. Gonostylus shorter than gonocoxite (viewed ventrally). Aedeagus straight, relatively short and laterally compressed. Epandrium with dorsal process/lobe.

Material examined: Holotype: SOUTH AFRICA: 1ơ, ‘ Sth Africa: Cape Prov / GraaffReinet / Valley of Desolation / 32 ° 17'S: 24 ° 28'E / JGH Londt 5.xii.1988 / Montane macchia vegit’. Paratypes: SOUTH AFRICA: 2^, same data as holotype; 1^ ‘ Sth Africa : Cape Prov / Karoo Nature Reserve / West of Graaff Reinet / 32 ° 16'S: 24 ° 30'E 1325m / J&H Londt 8.xii.1989 / nr. Desolation valley’ .

Type locality: South Africa, Eastern Cape, Graaff-Reinet, Valley of Desolation .

Comments: Apart from the species having wings with more extensive microtrichial coverage than other species in the genus, male genital structure is difficult to confuse with congeners. Known only from the type locality in the Little & Great Karoo climatic region or southern Africa ( Fig. 249 ). Although mendax is known to occur not far from the type locality of kolodrilus , these species are not easily confused.

Figures

Figs 38–44. Afromochtherus kolodrilus sp. n. (Graaff Reinet ơ & ^). 38. Antenna. 39. Wing. 40–42. ơ genitalia. 40. Lateral. 41. Dorsal. 42. Ventral. 43–44. ^ genitalia. 43. Lateral. 44. Dorsal. Scale lines = 1 mm.

Fig. 249. Distribution of Afromochtherus species in southern Africa. A. kolodrilus (circles), A. megastylus (triangles), A. melanurus (squares), A. peri (crosses), A. zoropegus (pentagons).