Hippomachus mivatus (Walker, 1871) Londt, 1983

Londt, Jason G. H., 1983, Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 9. The genus Hippomachus Engel, 1927 (Asilinae: Asilini), ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 25 (2), pp. 441-448 : 444-446

Hippomachus mivatus (Walker, 1871) comb n.

Figs 2,8-12

Asilus mivatus Walker, 1871: 259 .

Apoclea algira Efflatoun, 1934: 93 (nec Fabricius, 1794). Hull, 1962: 454.

Neolophonotus mivatus ; Oldroyd, 1980: 341.

Walker (1871) described mivatus on a single female specimen from Egypt 'Tajura, Waddy Nash'. For some reason unstated, Efftatoun (1934) placed this species (spelt mivata) as a synonym of Apoclea algira Fabricius. I have seen the type and can state with certainty that it is not an Apoclea . Hull (1962) accepted this synonymy while Oldroyd (1980) provisionally placed the species in the genus Neolophonotus . Although the type is in poor condition the wing is definitely that of a Hippomachus . I have seen a number of specimens from north-east Africa and believe that these are conspecific. Amongst these specimens are a few males which belong to Hippomachus but are distinct from pegasus . I therefore accept mivatus as a valid species of Hippomachus and provide the following brief description to supplement those of Walker (1871) and Efflatoun (1934) (who described the species under the name of Hippomachus pegasus ). Redescription: Based on the holotype <? but supplemented with data from other material examined.

Head: Antenna similar to pegasus , bristles and setae of variable colour, predominantly blackish but there are usually some white ones as well. Mystax white with one or two black setae in extreme dorsal part. Ocellar setae dark red-brown. Postocular bristles white (yellowish in type), moderately well developed, proclinate.

Thorax: Similar to pegasus but mane may have white setae in posterior one-quarter. Postpronotal lobes with only a few fine white setae. Three to four notopleural bristles, 2-3 supra-alars, 1 -3 (usually 2) postalars, all yellow-white. Scutellum with 8-10 white marginal bristles. Pleural setae white or yellow-white. Wing: Ranges from 5,6 x 1,7 (Quadda ♀) to 8,4 x 2,6 mm (holotype). Venation of holotype as in Fig. 2 ; male wing similar to pegasus . Legs: Dark red-brown but proximodorsal part of tibia yellow-brown; bristles predominantly yellow-white but there are a few dark red-brown ones on most segments.

Abdomen: Terga and sterna with moderately long white setae-no dark red-brown ones evident dorsally; terga with moderately well-developed white or yellow-white bristles along hind margin laterally. ♂ genitalia as in Figs 8-11 , aedeagus with spiny projections laterally near tip. ♀ ovipositor ( Fig. 12 ) similar to pegasus .

Material examined: EGYPT: 1 ♀ holotype, Tajura, Straits , Bab-el-Mendeb, 1. H. Lord, Pres. R. Mandola ( BMNH) . DJIBOUTI: 1 ♂ (now defective), Djibouti, Maindron , 871-93 [1893] ( MNP) ; 1 ♂, Djibouti, H. Coutiere, 1897 ( MNP); 1 ♂ 1 ♀, Obock, Maindron , 871-93 ( MNP) ; 3 ♀, Obok [= Obock], 10usseaume, 7-97 [1897] ( MNP) . CENTRAL AFRICAN EMPIRE (?): 2 ♀, Somalie Ang!., Quadda , 10usseaume, 7.97 ( MNP) . KENYA: 1 ♂, Turkana, 20 km W. of Elige Springs, 03°16'N: 35°50'E., 427 m, 6.vi.1980, B. Lamoral ( NM) . The localities of Tajura and Quadda are given as being in Libya and the Central African Empire in atlases consulted but there may be other places bearing these names which do not appear in my sources of reference. 1. H. Lord apparently collected in Egypt and Arabia and so I assume Tajura is in Egypt. Quadda, according to the insect label, is in 'Somalie Angl.' (British Solaliland) which is part of present-day Somalia. I can find no such place in Somalia. The only place that I can find bearing this unusual name lies at 80°9 ' N: 22°20'E in the Central African Empire some distance west of Somalia. It is possible that the label data are incorrect.

Remarks: H. mivatus is a widely distributed species which occurs in both the Afrotropical and Palaearctic Regions. While I have not seen the single male recorded by Efflatoun (1934) from Egypt (under H. pegasus ) I am reasonably sure it must be conspecific with mivatus . The more important similarities being the black ocellar bristles and the form of the male genitalia. This Egyptian locality 'Gebel Alba (Wadi Kanssissrob) 29.i.1933, Farag Ayed' cited by Efflatoun could not be traced using sources available to me.

Figures

Figs 1- 2. Hippomachus spaies. wing. 1 H. pego.sw Loe"". holCllype male: 2. H. mivalUS (Walker). hCllotype ftmale:

Figs 8-12. Hippomachus mivatus (Walker), genitalia. 8- 11. Obock male. 8. Lateral. 9. Dorsal. 10. Ventral. 11. Lateral aspect of gonocoxite, style and aedeagus. 12. Holotype female ovipositor (dry).