Congomochtherus potamius Londt & Tsacas, 1987

Jason G. H. Londt, 2014, The Afrotropical Robber Fly Genus Congomochtherus Oldroyd, 1979 (Diptera: Asilidae: Asilinae), African Invertebrates 55 (2), pp. 333-350 : 343

Congomochtherus potamius Londt & Tsacas, 1987

Figs 11 , 17

Congomochtherus potamius Londt & Tsacas, 1987: 39 (figs 4 postmetacoxal area, 49-54 ♂ terminalia, 55 ♀ spermathecae).

Previously recorded material: Londt & Tsacas (1987) listed the following type specimens: SOUTH AFRICA: 2♂ 2♀ (paratypes), 10 km E Rhodes, bottom Naudesnek Pass [c. 30°47'S 28°00'E, c. 1850 m], 3028CC, 9.i.1979, Londt & Stuckenberg, river banks (NMSA); 7♂ (holotype & paratypes) 5♀ (paratypes), Rhodes area [c. 30°47'38"S 27°57'38"E, c. 1815 m], 3027DD, 9-10.i.1979, Londt & Stuckenberg, banks of river & hill near town (NMSA (holotype 5♂ 3♀ paratypes)*, MNHN, BMNH); 1♂ 1♀ (paratypes), Rhodes village [as above], 9.i.1979, Londt & Stuckenberg, river banks on stones (NMSA).

Newly recorded material: SOUTH AFRICA:1♂, 10 km ENE of Rhodes, 30°45'S 28°01'E, 2080 m, 5.ii.1992, Natal Museum Expedition, causeway near Malpas (NMSA); 4♂ 2♀, Bell River at Rhodes, 30°48'S 27°58'E, 1825 m, 5.ii.1992, Natal Museum Expedition, trees grass & riverine (NMSA).

Distribution ( Fig. 17 ), phenology ( Table 1 ) and biology: This South African endemic is confined in its distribution to a small area in the vicinity of the village of Rhodes in the southern Drakensberg Mountains of the Eastern Cape Province. I collected all available specimens on two trips to the area in January and February ( Table 1 ). It is probable that the species is active for much of summer in this summer-rainfall region. All specimens were found resting on rocks in the Bell River, which flows along the northern boundary of Rhodes. Efforts to find examples in the vicinity adjacent to the stream were fruitless. The habitat closely resembles that described for elferinki . There is no biological data apart from that appearing on labels.

Figures

Fig. 17. Southern African distribution of Congomochtherus Oldroyd 1979: C. acuminatus Oldroyd, 1974 (circles); C. elferinki Londt & Tsacas, 1987 (squares); C. inachus Londt & Tsacas, 1987 (triangles); C. potamius Londt & Tsacas, 1987 (diamond).

Figs 5-11.Congomochtherus ♂ terminalia (lateral):(5) C. acuminatus Oldroyd, 1974; (6) C. elferinki Londt & Tsacas, 1987; (7) C. inachus Londt & Tsacas, 1987; (8) C. lobatus Oldroyd, 1970; (9) C. oldroydi Londt & Tsacas, 1987; (10) C. penicillatus (Speiser, 1910); (11) C. potamius Londt & Tsacas, 1987 (Scale bars = 1 mm).