Philodicus Loew, 1848

Philodicus Loew, 1848: 391 .

Type species: Asilus javanus Wiedemann, 1819, by monotypy.

Diagnosis (compiled using key characters as published by Londt (2005)): Head:Antennal stylus composed of only 2 elements (an attenuated segment-like element tipped with a seta-like sensory element); face with a slight gibbosity ventrally; postocular setae dorsally short, straight or only slightly proclinate. Thorax: Dorsocentral macrosetae confined to mesonotal region posterior of transverse suture; scutellum with fewer than 8 apical macrosetae, disc with setae only (no macrosetae); wing with complete supernumerary crossvein present between R 2+3 and R 4; supernumerary crossvein shortish and at most running parallel to R 4+5 for a short distance; cell r 4 long and diverging gradually towards wing margin; hind margin of wing with a double row of microtrichia diverging from the plane of wing membrane.

Key to the southern African species of Philodicus (adapted from Londt 1978)

1 Anterior and posterior surfaces of femur 1 lacking macrosetae; antennal stylus at least as long as twice the length of postpedicel; ♀ ovipositor (S8) distally broad and spade-like (alcimoides group) .................................................................................2

– Femur 1 with at least one short stout black bristle on posterior surface; antennal stylus shorter than twice the length of postpedicel; ♀ with macrosetae laterally on T3; ♀ ovipositor (S8) distally narrow and spike-like ( fraternus group).................4

2 Wing longer than 1.5 cm; terminalia as in Figs 7–10 ............ dubius Ricardo, 1921

– Wing shorter than 1.5 cm ........................................................................................3

3 Male aedeagus swollen subapically, lacking three well defined terminal projections; terminalia as in Figs 21–24; widely distributed in both eastern and western southern Africa (Fig. 25)........................................................................ tenuipes Loew, 1857

– Male aedeagus not swollen subapically, with three well defined terminal projections; terminalia as in Figs 2–5; southern African distribution limited to north-eastern region (Zimbabwe, Mozambique) (Fig. 6).................. cinerascens (Ricardo, 1900)

4 1–3 short black macrosetae on anterior surface of prothoracic femur; ♀ with macrosetae laterally on T4–6; terminalia as in Figs 17–20 ...................................... ......................................................................................... swynnertoni Hobby, 1933

– Anterior face of prothoracic femur lacking macrosetae; ♀ lacking macrosetae on T4–6; terminalia as in Figs 12–15 ................................. fraterculus (Walker, 1855)