Philodicus Loew, 1848

Londt, Jason G. H., 2015, A review of the genus Philodicus Loew, 1848 in southern Africa (Diptera: Asilidae), African Invertebrates 56 (3), pp. 747-747 : 751-752

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)

Figures

Figs 7–10. Philodicus dubius Ricardo, 1921. (7–10) male terminalia: (7) lateral, (8) dorsal and (9) ventral views. (10) female distal end of S8.

Figs 21–24. Philodicus tenuipes Loew, 1857. (21–23) male terminalia: (21) lateral, (22) dorsal and (23) ventral views. (24) female distal end of S8.

Fig. 25. Southern African distribution of Philodicus tenuipes Loew, 1857.

Figs 2–5. Philodicus cinerascens (Ricardo, 1900). (2–4) male terminalia: (2) lateral, (3) dorsal and (4) ventral views; (5) female distal end of S8.

Fig. 6. Southern African distribution of Philodicus cinerascens (Ricardo, 1900) (●) and P. swynnertoni Hobby 1933 (▲).

Figs 17–20. Philodicus swynnertoni Hobby 1933. (17–19. male terminalia: (17) lateral, (18) dorsal and (19) ventral views. (20) female distal end of S8.

Figs 12–15. Philodicus fraterculus (Walker, 1855). (12–14) male terminalia: (12) lateral, (13) dorsal and (14) ventral views. (15) female distal end of S8.