Synolcus, : Loew, 1858

Londt, Jason G. H., 2012, The genus Synolcus Loew, 1858, with descriptions of new species (Diptera: Asilidae), African Invertebrates 53 (2), pp. 661-661 : 695

Key to the species of Synolcus

The following key works best for well-preserved pinned specimens. Females of armstrongi , aurulentus , griseus , minor and spinosus are difficult to separate unless associated with males. Identifications need to be checked against descriptions and illustrations of genitalia.

1 Subcostal cross-vein (sc–r) present ( acrobaptus species group) (female of malawi unknown) ...............................................................................................................2

– Subcostal cross-vein absent ( dubius species group) (female of amnoni unknown) ................................................................................................................................9

2 Male .......................................................................................................................3

– Female....................................................................................................................7

3 Wing tip dark grey-brown stained..........................................................................4

– Wing tip not dark stained ........................................................... namibiensis sp. n.

4 Wing clearly expanded anteriorly at level of r–m crossvein ( Fig. 10 )..................... ................................................................................................. malawi Londt, 1990

– Wing hardly, if at all expanded ..............................................................................5

5 Femora uniformly dark red-brown to black...........................................................6

– Femora dark red-brown to black anterodorsally, posteroventrally yellow-brown ................................................................................................... macrocercus sp. n.

6 Genitalia as in Figs 15–21 (in lateral view epandrium more narrowly pointed distally, median lobe of S8 relatively short, considerably upturned and entirely hidden by setae in lateral view) ............................................ acrobaptus ( Wiedemann, 1828)

– Genitalia as in Figs 26–29 (in lateral view epandrium more broadly pointed distally, median lobe of S8 relatively long, slightly upturned and not entirely hidden by setae in lateral view) .................................................................... argentius Londt, 1990

7 Femora uniformly dark red-brown to black...........................................................8

– Femora dark red-brown to black anterodorsally, posteroventrally yellow-brown ................................................................................................... macrocercus sp. n.

8 Ovipositor length to breadth ratio (measured in lateral view, breadth at midlength) <3.3:1.0............................................................................... argentius Londt, 1990

– Ovipositor length to breadth ratio (measured in lateral view, breadth at midlength)>3.3:1.0 ............................. acrobaptus ( Wiedemann, 1828) & namibiensis sp. n.

Figures

Figs 2–14. Synolcus species,♂ wing venation:(2) S.acrobaptus (Wiedemann, 1828) (Gydo); (3) S.amnoni Londt, 1990 (Nkhandla); (4) S. argentius Londt, 1990 (5 km NE Grootderm); (5) S.armstrongi sp.n. (Karkloof paratype); (6) S. aurulentus Engel, 1929 (Outeniqua); (7) S. dubius (Macquart, 1846) (Ntumeni); (8) S. griseus Engel, 1927 (Entabeni); (9) S. macrocercus sp. n. (Middelpos paratype); (10) S. malawi Londt, 1990 (Lichenya paratype); (11) S. minor (Bromley, 1947) (Melmoth); (12) S. namibiensis sp. n. (Ai-Ais paratype); (13) S. spinosus Londt, 1980 (Gladdespruit paratype); (14) S. ukhahlamba sp. n. (Monks Cowl holotype).

Figs 15–21. Synolcus acrobaptus (Wiedemann, 1828), male genitalia: (15–19) lateral, dorsal, ventral, gonostylus and aedeagal tip (Cape Town); (20, 21) variation in S8 shape: (20) Touws River male; (21) Prince Albert male. Scale line 1 mm.

Figs26–29.Synolcusargentius Londt,1990,male genitalia (1 kmN Kuboes):(26)lateral (showing aedeagus shape as seen through other organs), (27) dorsal, (28) ventral, (29) gonostylus. Scale line 1 mm.