Sphagomyia, Londt, 2002

Londt, Jason G. H., 2002, Afrotropical Asilinae (Asilidae): A provisional key to genera, with a review of the status of Neomochtherus Osten Sacken, 1878, and descriptions of new genera and species, African Invertebrates 43, pp. 11-92 : 53

Sphagomyia gen. n.

Type species: Sphagomyia botswana sp. n., by present designation.

Ethology: Gr. Sphagios – slaying + myia – fly. Refers to the predatory habit of these flies.

Diagnosis: Head: Antennal style composed of three elements including terminal spine; postpedicel less than twice the length of scape; scape predominantly yellowish. Facial gibbosity moderately well developed, occupying approximately half distance between lower facial margin and antennal sockets. Face relatively broad (width of head divided by width of face at same level <7). Thorax: Postpronotal lobe equipped with longish slender setae. Mesonotum with dorsocentral macrosetae reaching level of transverse suture (i.e. not extending anterior of suture). Scutellum usually with two marginal macrosetae. Metathoracic coxa with one lateral macroseta. Metathoracic femur with areas of black and yellow. Metathoracic femur yellowish with blackish areas or uniformly yellowish. Abdomen: Pruinescence extends uniformly over at least seven segments. Female cerci dorsally finely setose. Epandrium with a dorsomedial process. Gonostylus elongate and much longer than gonopods. Aedeagus bowed downwards distally, with minute distal prongs. Hypandrium medially narrowed.

Note: See also illustrations, key and character matrix (Table 3) for morphological information.