Neolophonotus hirsutus (Ricardo, 1920)

Londt, Jason G. H., 2020, A survey of grassland Asilidae (Diptera) at Jacana Eco Estate, Hilton, South Africa, African Invertebrates 61 (1), pp. 29-48 : 29

12. Neolophonotus hirsutus (Ricardo, 1920)

Remarks.

This species, reviewed by Londt (1988), is currently a KwaZulu-Natal endemic, apparently limited largely to higher altitude areas of the province. Its nearest recorded locality to Jacana is the Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve (ca. 29°28'32"S, 30°14'21"E) on the outskirts of Howick.

Adults of this species were encountered in low to moderate numbers during the four spring weeks 36-39. All encountered individuals were found in the lower field, especially in areas that had recently been burned.

This small to medium-sized species was invariably found resting on the ground or on vegetation close to the ground. While two specimens were collected with Diptera prey, others were swept from long grass with very few actually being sighted. The species appears to be largely confined to Londt’s (1994) ecological category 1c (open ground).