Anthomyia subornata, Ackland, 2001

Ackland, D. M., 2001, Revision of afrotropical Anthomyia Meigen, 1803 (Diptera: Anthomyiidae), with descriptions of ten new species, African Invertebrates 42, pp. 1-94 : 86-88

Anthomyia subornata sp. n.

( Figs 209–218 )

Anthomyia ornata (Bigot) var.? Malloch, 1924: 269, 272.

Holotype Ò: SOUTH AFRICA: KwaZulu-Natal: ‘Holotype’ [circular white printed label with red perimeter]; ‘Estcourt, / Natal / Sept & Oct, 1896 / 1903–17’ [rectangular white printed label]; ‘ Anthomyia / ornata var. / Bigot / det J. R. Malloch’ [rectangular white printed & handwritten label with black line border]; ‘ HOLOTYPE Ò / Anthomyia / subornata / D. M. Ackland’ [rectangular red printed & handwritten label]. In BMNH. In reasonable condition, right wing damaged, both hind tarsi missing.

SOUTH AFRICA: KwaZulu-Natal: 3Ò, Weenen, 28º51'S: 29º59'E, Thornveld , Malaise trap, dam, 1–4.x.1990, A. E. Whittington ( NMSA) ; 1Ò, Upper Tongaat , xi.1919, C. N. Barker ( BMNH) . Northern Cape: 1Ò, Kimb [erley], x.1896 [month is partly obscured by pin hole], Pres. by Govt. Mus., Natal, 1911–45 ( BMNH) . The paratype from Upper Tongaat was labelled by Malloch ‘ Anthomyia ornata var .’

Etymology: The suffix sub L. refers to the earlier association with ornata Big.

Male: Agrees with the description of subabyssinica , differing as follows:Arista shorter pubescent, longest hairs hardly longer than the diameter of arista at base; thorax ( Figs 209, 210 ) with the presutural spots small, isolated, not joined to anterior margin of thorax with dark grey dusting; the outer posterior corner of the spot does not reach the posterior posthumeral seta. T2 with a small ad seta. Wing length up to 5 mm.

Postabdomen: 5th sternite processes with the membranous lobes ( Fig. 214 ) on inner margin larger, the posterior margin in lateral view forming an acute angle with the distal part of the process; central process of synsternite (6+7) ( Fig. 218 ) consisting of two separate, slightly foliate processes, not joined at base (in subabyssinica the process is flat, variably wedge-shaped, or with two short flat arms on posterior margin; surstylus ( Fig. 212 ) in lateral view with the distal third parallel-sided, and the basal dorsal corner less prominent; cercal plate ( Fig. 211 ) shorter, apex narrower and only slightly extended; in lateral view the apex is less projecting beyond the surstylus and is upturned at almost right angles to the rest of cercal plate. Pregonite ( Fig. 215 ) shorter, with less oblique distal margin; postgonite ( Fig. 215 ) with the apical dorsal extension longer. Distal section of aedeagus ( Figs 216, 217 ) with a short stumpy basal dorsal process (slightly variable in lateral thickness in the specimens examined.

Female: unknown (but see description of subabyssinica female).

Discussion: Malloch (1924) listed two males as ornata Bigot var.? (see under ornata ). These males represent a distinct species, with genitalia quite different from ornata , more resembling subabyssinica sp. n. A further three males were found in the Natal Museum material, captured at the same locality and on the same day as subabyssinica . Another rather old specimen was found in the BMNH from Kimberley (Northern Cape). Distribution: Only known from South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal and Northern Cape).

Species sola

The following unique species does not seem to be related to any other species of Anthomyia . The projecting cercal plate in lateral view, and the small (hardly visible in lateral view) membranous lobes of the 5th sternite suggest that it might be related to the abyssinica superspecies. The uniramous central median process of the synsternite (6+7) is unique, but as only one male specimen is so far known, it is uncertain if this character is reliable.

Figures

Figs 209–218. Anthomyia subornata sp. n. Ò. 209. Thorax, dorsal view (paratype, Upper Tongaat). 210. Ditto, lateral view. 211–218. Terminalia (KwaZulu-Natal). 211. Cercal plate and surstyli, caudal view. 212. Ditto, lateral view. 213. 5th sternite, ventral view. 214. Ditto, lateral view. 215. Gonites. 216. Distal section of aedeagus (Weenen, KwaZulu-Natal).217. Ditto (Upper Tongaat, KwaZulu- Natal). 218. Central process of synsternite (6+7).