Stenogephyra torrida Lyneborg

Webb, Donald W. & Hauser, Martin, 2011, Revision of the genus Stenogephyra Lyneborg (Diptera: Therevidae: Phycinae), Zootaxa 2837, pp. 67-85 : 82-84

Stenogephyra torrida Lyneborg

( Figs.14–15 , 40–43, 45)

torrida Lyneborg (1987:472 desc., Figs. 6 wing, 7 male head, 8 fem. ant., 9 male ant. 10– 18 male genit., 19–21 fem. genit.) (Stenogephyra) .

Lyneborg (1987:472) adequately described and figured S. torrida so the description is not reproduced here. The following diagnosis relates S. torrida to the other species in the genus.

Diagnosis. Stenogephyra torrida is similar to S. janiceae spec. nov., S. namibiensis spec. nov., and S. schlingeri spec. nov. in possessing silver pubescence on gena (lateral view) restricted to band along posterior margin of eye, ending at lower eye margin ( Figs. 4, 8, 12, 14 ); one pair of dorsocentral macrosetae; and in having vein M2 short, not reaching the hind margin of the wing ( Lyneborg 1987, Fig. 6 ). It differs from S. schlingeri spec. nov. in having silver pubescence on frons more developed, forming two connected markings and often reaching below lower eye margin ( Figs. 4, 8, 14 ); three pairs of notopleural macrosetae; katepisternum glossy ventrally; lower face with central hemispherical bulge and laterally the gena and lower frons forming another bulge separated from central bulge by deep furrow, creating impression of a “nose” ( Figs. 5, 9, 15 ). It differs from S. namibiensis spec. nov. in having silver pubescence stripe on face ending before ventral margin of face ( Fig. 14 ); silver pubescence on frons between median ocellus and eye absent; silver pubescence on occiput not forming continuous band posterior to ocellar tubercle ( Fig. 14 ); and halter predominately dark brown to black. It differs from S. janiceae spec. nov. in having the occiput with silver pubescence which forms an interrupted band posterior to ocellar tubercle ( Fig. 14 ); silver pubescence on frons forming two connected semicircular markings which extends ventral to lower eye margin ( Fig. 14 ); and “nose” less pronounced ( Fig. 15 ).

Immature stages. One male (MEI 141497) and 13Ψ (MEI 108318, 141319, 141372, 141382, 141392, 141456, 141464, 141479, 141509 141511, 141530, 141606, 141612) were reared from larvae sieved from sand on bluff 2 km SW Papendorp; and five females (MEI 141252, 141365, 141419, 141421, 141476) were reared from larvae sieved from dune sand at Botterkloof Pass.

Habitats and Phenology. Stenogephyra torrida has been handnetted or collected in Malaise traps in sandy areas of bluff and rivers and in dry washes with springs. Adults have been collected in November.

Distribution. (Fig. 45). Lyneborg (1987) described this species from Namibia and Cape Province, South Africa. The specimens from “ 17 mi. N. Vanrhynsdorp at fork of Geelsbek & Sout Rivers” [-31.354, 18.7333], “Knersvlakete, N. of Van Rhynsdorp” [-31.32, 18.46], Bulhoek” [-31.7833, 25.05], “top of Botterkloof Pass” [- 31.8273, 19.2663], “Papendorp, at mouth of Olifants River” [-31.7, 18.2167], and “10 Mi. N. Pella” [-28.872, 19.1] are S. torrida . The specimens from Namibia are described herein as S. namibiensis spec. nov. These two species are readily separated in the key. Currently S. torrida is recorded from Northern and Western Cape Provinces, South Africa.

Specimens examined (n = 50). Type specimen. The holotype male of Stenogephyra torrida Lyneborg (MEI 166168) was collected in South Africa, Western Cape Province, 27.4 km N Vanrhynsdorp, at fork of Geelsbek and Sout Rivers [-31.364, 18.74], 85m, 10.IX.1972, by Irwin, M.E. and Irwin, B.J. and is deposited in NMSA. Other specimens. SOUTH AFRICA. NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE. Garies, Namaqualand [-30.56, 17.98], 14.XI.1949, Malkin, B., 1Ψ MEI 0 0 3214 (CAS). WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE. 27.4 km N Vanrhynsdorp, fork of Geelsbek and Sout Rivers [-31.364, 18.74], 85m, 10.IX.1972, Irwin, M.E., Irwin, B.J., 3ɗ paratypes MEI 0 84315 (MEIC), 116080–1 (NMSA), 9Ψ paratypes MEI 084311–4, 084331–3 (MEIC), 116082–2 (NMSA); Papendorp, at mouth of Olifants River, coastal dunes, 11.IX.1972, Irwin, M.E., 1Ψ paratype (NMSA); 13.5 km ENE Clanwilliam, Pakhuis Pass [-32.138, 19.021], 900–1000m, 15–16.XI.1996, Irwin, M.E., Schlinger, E.I.. Webb, D.W., Yeates, D.K., Wiegmann, B.M., 4ɗ, MEI 124793–6, 2Ψ 124791–2 (INHS), Malaise trap, sandy area of river; 38 km NE Clanwilliam at Doringbos River, Doringbos [-31.972, 19.226], 175m, 12.XI.1996, Irwin, M.E., 9ɗ, MEI 124798 (NMSA), 124799 (CSCA), 124800 (SAMC), 124801–806 (MEIC), sandy area of bluff; Swartberg Mountains, 4 km S Prince Albert [-33.267, 22.046], 700m, 2–23.X.2004, Irwin, M.E., Parker, F.D., Hauser, M., 1ɗ, MEI 167918 (MEIC), Malaise trap in wash with springs; 2 km SW Papendorp [-31.71, 18.208], 25m, 12.X.2002, Irwin, M.E., Parker, F.D., 1ɗ, MEI 141497, 13Ψ 108318 (CSCA), 141319 (NMSA), 141372 (SAMC), 141382, 141392, 141456, 141464, 141479, 141509 141511, 141530, 141606, 141612 (MEIC), sieved from sand on bluff; Botterkloof Pass [- 31.813, 19.265], 760m, 12.X.2002, Irwin, M.E., Parker, F.D., 5Ψ MEI 141252, 141365, 141419, 141421, 141476 (MEIC), sieved from dune sand.

Figures

FIGURES 2 – 15. Stenogephyra sp. nov. 2 – 3. S. dianeae spec. nov.. 2. Head frontal view. 3. Head lateral view. 4 – 5. S. janiceae spec. nov.. 4. Head frontal view. 5. Head lateral view. 6 – 7. S. minuta. 6. Head frontal view. 7. Head lateral view. 8 – 9. S. namibiensis spec. nov.. 8. Head frontal view. 9. Head lateral view. 10 – 11. S. parkeri spec. nov. 10. Head frontal view. 11. Head lateral view. 12 – 13. S. schlingeri spec. nov. 12. Head frontal view. 13. Head lateral view. 14 – 15. S. torrida. 14. Head frontal view. 15. Head lateral view.