NNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
NNALE VAN DIE SUID-AFRIKAANSE MUSEUM
e
Volume 54 °Band
April
1969
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF
SOUTHERN AFRICA
By
ATH A. J. HESSE
ABM HSONI 4
570 1969
LisgaRricz
Cape Town Kaapstad
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ANNALS OF THE
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VOLUME 54
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1969
ey RD
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA
By
A. J. HEsse
South African Museum, Cape Town
(With 2 plates, 26 figures and 2 maps)
CONTENTS
[MS. received 1 August 1966]
PAGE
Introduction : : ; c I
Definition of the family : e 2
Habits and biology g : : 3
Classification 0 : . é 8
Key to subfamilies, ie and pcacce 10
Descriptions : - 19
Summary - ° : é 3 O2
Zacenowledgements . a 3 O2
References 2 : 2 89309
Index - : : 3 ; “385
INTRODUCTION
Before 1924 our knowledge of the Mydaid fauna of South Africa was limited
by the few species described by Wiedemann (1828 and 1830), Macquart
(1838) and Gerstaecker (1868). In 19246 Bezzi, however, published a revision
of the South African representatives of the family, based mainly on material
in the South African Museum. Notwithstanding previous attempts at a revision
of the entire family, as represented in both the Old and New Worlds, by authors
such as Wiedemann (1831), Westwood (1841) and Gerstaecker (1868), Bezzi’s
contribution from South Africa alone, despite its shortcomings, must be con-
sidered as a pioneering effort indispensable to any future revision of the entire
family, a project which, because of the paucity of material in the various
museums, was believed by Séguy (1928) to be still ‘difficile sinon impossible’. In
his paper Bezzi dealt with 7 genera, of which no less than 4 are new, and 30
species of which he described 16 as new.
Since 1924 two other authors, Brunetti (1929) and Bequaert (1938, 1959 and
1963), especially the latter, have added some more species from Rhodesia,
South West Africa and South Africa to the list from southern Africa which,
together with a species each described by Sack (1935), Séguy (1929) and
Stuckenberg (1955), now stands at 48 species belonging to 10 genera.
Since 1924 the Mydaid material in the South African Museum, thanks
I
Ann. S. Afr. Mus. 54, 1969: 1-388, 2 pls, 26 figs, 2 maps.
2 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
to organized collecting by various members of its staff, has been considerably
augmented and this, together with the rich and interesting material of other
museums and institutions in southern Africa, has increased the number of
species occurring in this part of Africa to such an extent that it can no longer
be maintained that Mydaidae are poorly represented in this part of the world.
This rich material from all these various sources has enabled me to attempt
a revision of our local forms in which some changes, different interpretations of
genera and species and many new forms are described, all of which I hope will
be a contribution to our taxonomic knowledge of these interesting Diptera and
be at least of geographical significance if ever a more serious attempt be made by
some more competent author to revise the Mydaidae of the whole world.
At present about 30 genera of Mydaidae in the world are known and a little
more than 200 species have been described. In this memoir 22 genera (12 new),
2 new subgenera and 156 species (108 new) from southern Africa alone are
dealt with, numbers which imply that this sub-region of Africa is remarkably
rich in Mydaidae. These figures however are not to be taken as an indication of
the existence of a special paradise for this family at the tip of the African
continent, but rather as an indirect compliment to the collecting abilities of
Museum personnel in a small section of this part of the world. If similar organ-
ized collecting of these insects were to be conducted in all parts of southern
Africa, in other parts of Africa and in other parts of the world Mydaidae in
collections would not be so rare as at present, and South Africa would have to
give up its present claim as the geographical home of a very large percentage of
these insects.
DEFINITION OF THE FAMILY
Representatives of this dipterous family, which shows affinities with the
Asilidae, are very easily recognized by the shape of the head in which the frons
is excavated and the eyes are dichoptic in both sexes; by the presence of a
single ocellus; by the four-segmented antennae of which the last or fourth
segment (club) is either elongated and thickened, or markedly inflated, tumid,
globular, or pyriform and usually ending in a small crater-like protuberance or
tubercle of variable size on the terminal dorsal aspect and surrounded below by
a modified sensory area of variable extent; by the complicated and characteris-
tic venation in the wings in which the longitudinal veins, unlike those in any
other Diptera, except the Apioceridae and Nemestrinidae, are all directed and
bent forwards towards the apex of the wings, even the fourth vein ending at or
before the apex.
These few characters in combination at once distinguish them from all
other Diptera, but other distinguishing features are: the usually tumidly promi-
nent or protuberant middle part (clypeus) of the face; the presence of a very
peculiar callosity or smooth protuberance (so-called “bulla’), of unknown func-
tion, on each side across hind margin of the second abdominal tergite; the
presence of a row, or half a circlet, of spines or bristles on a sclerite (oviscape)
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 3
on each side of the last modified and usually centrally carinate or keeled per-
pendicular tergite in the females; the characteristic hypopygial structures of
the males, so well described and figured by Bequaert (1938) and as illustrated
by the figures in this memoir; the thickened or incrassate hind femora (in a very
large number of species), armed below with backwardly-directed stoutish
spines, usually in two or four rows; and by the relatively poor development of
the vestiture, sometimes almost bare body and entire absence of distinct bristles.
The complicated venation in the wings, apart from the costal vein or
anterior margin and the subcostal vein, usually consists of a long second vein
(R,) ending near apex of wing and which in its apical part receives all or most
of the other veins (Ry, Ry, R;, M,), all bent forwards towards it (R; constituting
an appendix). The endings of the last two (R; and M, (or M, + .)) either in
apical part or beyond apex of second vein sometimes constitute generic differ-
ences, though not always reliable. The hind border of the wings up to the anal
vein is in most genera without any transverse veins or veins connecting the
system to the hind margin.
The series of cells enclosed by the various veins are usually: the costal,
marginal, first submarginal, second submarginal, sometimes a third submar-
ginal, long first basal, second basal, anal, discoidal (in middle), first posterior,
so-called third posterior and the axillary lobe.
For the elucidation of the wing venation of Mydaidae the reader is referred
to Séguy (1928: 135 and 136), Hennig (1954: 337-340, figs 175-177) and to
Bequaert (1961a: 6 and 7).
Most of the species of Mydaidae are fairly large, elongated insects, resem-
bling asilid- or conopid- or some syrphid-diptera and scoliid- or vespid-
hymenoptera. Among the mydaids are the largest Diptera in the world, but
these occur in South America, where the giant among Diptera is Mydas heros,
which may reach a length of 55 mm (or 2} inches). The largest South African
species is Afroleptomydas omeri, of which some females may reach a length of
29 mm.
HaABITs AND BIOLOGY
Adults of the Mydaidae, presumably mainly species of Mydas in the New
World, are stated to be carnivorous by some authors, while others maintain
that they visit flowers. In all my experience, as well as that of other collectors
in South Africa, these insects have never been observed to hunt, catch or prey
upon other insects as the asilids do. Quite a few species of the genus Afrolepto-
mydas and some species of Cephalocera have however been caught on flowers,
presumably imbibing nectar.
In South Africa individual flies are invariably found resting on the ground
or sand in open spaces between bushes, very frequently in paths made by
animals or man. A sandy environment is more frequently the favoured habitat.
A large number of species appear to occur along the coastal belt, consisting of
4 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
sand dunes and dune flora.
Mydaids have a characteristic rapid gliding flight reminiscent of partridges,
flying up and disappearing as quickly and as mysteriously within a limited field
of observation. They usually rest with the wings open or partially open. They
are by no means common, even in localities where they are known to occur.
Much walking to and fro over a large area and keen observation are necessary
to discover representatives; an entire day’s collecting will reward the collector
with only a few specimens.
Seasonal occurrence: Species of Mydaidae are also strictly seasonal in their
appearance, flying about only during their appointed season, being entirely
absent at any other time of the year. Different species may be captured at
different times almost throughout the year, though most species, in the Cape
Province at least, occur from September to January. Some forms, however, are
only to be seen during July and August.
Distribution in southern Africa: Mydaidae in southern Africa appear to be
remarkably restricted as species or varieties in their distribution. Any one
species appears not to be widely distributed as in the case of other sand-frequent-
ing Diptera, such as the Asilidae and Bombyliidae. This relatively restricted
occurrence has caused some wrong identification of species. Species occurring
in the Cape Peninsula are replaced either by distinct varietal forms or by
related, but entirely different, species 50 miles either to the east or to the west
along the sandy coastal belt. Along the western coastal region species, occurring
more to the south, are different from those occurring in Namaqualand and
farther north. Moving eastwards along the southern coastal region the collector
meets with a different species, or series of species, almost every 50 miles.
In the valleys or around towns in the more inland mountainous parts
different montane forms are to be found. Beyond the mountainous belt in the
Koup Karoo, Little Karoo and Great Karoo species occur which, even if
related to southern coastal or Namaqualand forms, are entirely different and
also differ as species respectively in these different types of Karoo, even though
the general semi-arid environment may have much in common. Species of the
eastern Cape do not occur in the western Cape and those occurring in the far
eastern Cape often differ from those met with in Natal and Zululand. Forms
occurring in South West Africa differ entirely from species inhabiting the
various provinces of the Republic, Mozambique, Rhodesia and east Africa.
Not only is this geographical restriction applicable to species, but also to
most of the genera (see maps 1 and 2). Some genera occur only in the eastern
Cape, Natal and south-eastern Africa whereas other closely related genera are
to be found only along the western coastal region, in the western Cape, Nama-
qualand and South West Africa. The genus Ectyphus (map 2), for instance,
occurs mainly in the wooded parts of the south-eastern transitional Karoo, the
forested parts of the eastern Cape and into Natal. The genera Heteroleptomydas
Beq., Nomoneura Bezz. s.str., Neolaparopsis n.gen., Haplomydas Bezz. and Nomo-
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA
VOINAV NYAHLNOS NI AUVGIVGAW
1O VUINID JO NOILNAIMLSIG TVOIHdVaDOFD
T av
bag sopdiuo;qajosaazy = 6
‘uad"U Sppdiu01g = g
(‘uasqns'u sngososdossosy) ‘bag sopduojqajoufy = 1
(sopdiuojfaT wo) ‘bag sopdiuojgajoufy = 9
: ‘uad'u snudios0uyT = ¢
“bag sopdiuojqvyowag = %
"ZZag supduojgoy = §
‘uad'u saporgsag = Z%
"Z29gq sigjesupqy = |
ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
VOIYAVY NYPHLAOS NI AVGIVGAIN
JO VYAINAS JO NOILNAILSIG TVOIHdIVaoodo
z avy
‘uad'u spptuoyjoy’ = pI
“yuan snyddoy = §1
*uad'u saposssojvy dary = ZY
*aywT vsa90)0yGa7) = 1]
‘29, 12019101] = OT
‘udu sopdiununy: = 6
*uas'u sopdiuoday(sojoyy = Q
| ‘uas'u sappy =
(‘uasdqns'u savqojoy’) "yoag sopdiuodayds = 9
‘uas'u sniuaundody = G
‘uas'U spphiuouuy = p
—— "uaB'u saproinauowoyy = §
‘udu sisdosndvjoayy = %
*4S'S “ZZ VANIUOON = |
aqMOTAIM'S
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA il
neuroides n.gen. are all south-east African in their distribution.
Species of Mydaselpis Bezz. occur in the south-western coastal region, the
Koup and Little Karoo up to the north-western Transvaal, whereas the species
of the very nearly related Vespiodes n.gen. inhabit the subtropical parts of
northern Transvaal, Rhodesia and central Africa. The genus Cephalocera Latr.
and the new genus Arenomydas are only represented in the south-western and
western Cape, western Karoo and Namaqualand and not to the east of about
longitude 23. Namamydas n.gen. is only represented by a species from the north-
western Cape, and so is the new genus Nothomydas.
The genera Eremohaplomydas Beq., Lachnocorynus n.gen., Namadytes n.gen.
and WVotosyllegomydas n.gen. appear to occur only in South West Africa. The new
genus Cephalocerodes is remarkable in that its more typical representatives occur
in Rhodesia and in a part of South West Africa bordering Botswana (Bechuana-
land), but an aberrant form of it is found in the Koup Karoo.
The most widely distributed genus is Afroleptomydas Beq. (olim Leptomydas
of authors) of which species appear to occur all over southern Africa, but even it
is represented by typical forms and aberrant forms (the latter belonging to the
new subgenus Crossoprosopus). ‘The more typical species appear to occur mainly
along the southern and south-eastern coastal regions whereas the slightly
aberrant representatives of the new subgenus occur more inland in the Karoo,
Botswana (Bechuanaland), the Kalahari and into Rhodesia.
The north African Syllegomydas Beck. is not represented in South Africa,
but in Rhodesia it is represented by a new subgenus WVolobates.
Life History: As regards life histories of representatives of this family, the
development of not a single South African species is known. Life histories, or
certain stages of these, of a few North and South American species of Mydas
are known. In these cases it is stated that the larvae occur in decaying wood
and in some cases are said to be predaceous upon coleopterous larvae (Malloch,
1917) and also on the pupae of certain Lepidoptera (Johnson, 1926). Séguy
(1928) gives descriptions of the little that is known: of the egg, larva and pupal
stage, as well as a general résumé of what is known of the biology and habits of
the family, also based mostly on species of Mydas.
As in the case of the Asilidae, and also other insects, with circlets of spines
at the apex of the abdomen of the females and where the egg-laying habits are
better known, this armature at the end of the abdomen of most genera of
Mydaidae, however, suggests scooping or digging operations in loose soil or
sand for oviposition, indicating the biology of a type of larva which lives and
develops in soil or sand like the larvae of Asilidae, or which parasitizes the
subterranean larvae or pupae of other kinds of insects. Members of the South
African Museum staff have in fact witnessed such digging operations carried
out by females of the species Cephalocera longirostris.
With the exception of species of Mydaselpis and Vespiodes the representatives
of all other known genera in southern Africa have this circlet of spines at the
8 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
end of the abdomen, an adaptive structure which suggests a different type of
biology from that of genera lacking distinct spines as in the case of the two
South African ones mentioned above and foreign genera such as Mydas. Not
before we know more of the biology of the genera armed with spines on the
oviscape is it possible to generalize for the family as a whole.
CLASSIFICATION OF MyDAIDAE
The taxonomic identity of Mydaid genera, as defined in literature, appears
to be very confusing and great vagueness and uncertainty exist as regards the
limits of any one genus. Some authors based their diagnosis of the various genera
mainly on wing-venation. Others supplemented their definitions by concen-
trating on the presence or absence, or relative length, of the proboscis, the form
of the antennal clubs and the nature of the vestiture.
As the hypopygial structures of the males appear to be superficially uniform
in the various species of the large genera, such as Mydas, Afroleptomydas and
Cephalocera, these structures have not been used in the systematics of genera as
they deserve to be. Bequaert, in his various publications, more particularly in
those of 1961a (8-15) and 1962 (1-68), is however the only author who paid
special attention to the genitalia of the males, especially the structure and nature
of the aedeagus, as a basis for the definition and separation of genera and groups
of genera. This procedure is also adopted in this revision.
The characters used as distinguishing features in the separation of the
various South African genera are, in order of importance:
(a) The shape, form and structure of the aedeagal apparatus in the males
together with secondary modification of other supplementary hypopygial
structures (the nomenclature used is based on that of Bequaert).
(b) Toa much lesser extent the shape, form and nature of the vertical carina
on the last genital segment (tergite) in the females, the presence or absence of a
row Of spines on the sclerite (oviscape) on each side below this terminal tergite
and to a certain extent also the size of the anal lobe.
(c) Venational characters as evidenced by the apical ending of the posterior
vein of the so-called first posterior cell (e.g. whether the latter cell is closed
apically on the second vein (R,), or opens on this latter vein or on the costal
margin itself, or appears stalked apically as it ends against the forwardly-directed
apical part or end of the second vein).
(d) Other venational characters, such as the junction of the base of the
posterior vein of the so-called third posterior cell with either the apical trans-
verse vein of the second basal cell or that of the anal cell, and presence or
absence of a transverse connecting vein between the third posterior cell and
hind margin of the wings.
(e) Nature of the vestiture and the presence or absence of hairs on the
metanotum, mesopleuron and pteropleuron.
(f) Shape and length of the antennae, especially of segment 3 and the club.
(g) Shape, length, vestigial nature or absence of the proboscis.
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 9
(h) Nature, form and structure of the hind legs, especially the femora.
(2) Microsculpture, sculpture or puncturation on the thorax, metanotum
and abdomen.
Grouping of the genera: For the grouping of the various genera into special
sections based on similarity of the aedeagal apparatus and wing-venation
Bequaert (1961a: 16 and 17) suggested the establishment of two large divisions
or subfamilies, the Heteromydainae and Orthomydainae, subdividing the
latter into two subsections Orthomydainae oligoneurinae and Orthomydainae
polyneurinae. Subsequently in 1963: 1, to conform to rules of taxonomy, he sub-
stituted the subfamily names of Mydainae (= Orthomydainae oligoneurinae),
Diochlistinae (= Orthomydainae polyneurinae) and Syllegomydainae
(= Heteromydainae).
These suggested major divisions of Bequaert are to be recommended as
very suitable and convenient for the grouping of all the known genera of
Mydaidae.
According to Bequaert all the known genera with the aedeagus in the
33 double (divided into two phallic tubes), with only two submarginal cells
in the wings of which the second opens on the second vein (R,) and without a
cross-vein to hind margin or border of the wings are to be referred to the sub-
family Syllegomydainae.
To his subfamily Mydainae belong all genera in which the aedeagus
of the J¢ is single (with only one or a single median phallic tube) and with the
normal second submarginal cell either also opening on second vein (R,) as in
the Syllegomydainae, but in which case there is however present a cross-vein
in hind border of the wings, or the second submarginal cell opening, or partially
opening, on costal vein and the wings in this case without a cross-vein in hind
border.
To his remaining subfamily Diochlistinae are to be referred all genera
which, though also in possession of a single aedeagus in the 3g, have in addition
three submarginal cells in the wings of which the second constitutes an apically-
stalked enclosed cell between the first and third submarginal cells.
In the geographical subregion dealt with in this revision all the known
genera, except the anomalous genus Ectyphus Gerst., belong to the large sub-
family Syllegomydainae. As the genus Ectyphus has a single aedeagus it is
referable to the Mydainae, but it apparently occupies an anomalous position
within this latter subfamily on account of a wing venation which is very similar
to that found in the Syllegomydainae. In this respect is is also different from the
other genera of the Mydainae, such as Perissocerus Gerst. and Rhopalia Macq.,
in which the second submarginal cell opens on the costal vein and not on the
second vein. The presence of a cross-vein in hind border of its wings however
differentiates it from the Syllegomydainae.
For purposes of convenience the African genera belonging to the large
subfamily Syllegomydainae are subdivided into the following new tribes in this
revision:
Io ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
(a) Syllegomydaimi n.tribe which includes the following genera and
subgenera: Haplomydas Bezz., Eremohaplomydas Beq., Lachnocorynus n.gen.,
Afroleptomydas Beq., Afroleptomydas (Crossoprosopus n.subgen.), Oreomydas n.gen.,
Heteroleptomydas Beq., Nomoneura Bezz., Neolaparopsis n.gen., Nomoneuroides
n.gen., Arenomydas n.gen., Agaparemius n.gen., Syllegomydas (Notobates n.subgen.),
Namadytes n.gen., Notosyllegomydas n.gen., Namamydas n.gen., Halterorchis Bezz.
and Nothomydas n.gen.
(5) Mydaselpini n.tribe to accommodate Mydaselpis Bezz., Vespiodes
n.gen. and the remarkable genus Afromydas Beq. from Somaliland.
(c) Cepkalocerini n.tribe to which the genera Cephalocera Latr. and the
new genus Cephalocerodes are referred.
The characters which distinguish and differentiate the various subfamilies,
new tribes, genera and subgenera are summarized in the descriptive key which
follows:
DEsGRIPTIVE KEY TO THE SUBFAMILIES, TRIBES, GENERA AND SUBGENERA OF THE
KNOWN AFRICAN MyYDAIDAE
1. (a) Aedeagus in $$ double, divided either from base or distally into two distinct and sepa-
rate phallic or aedeagal tubes; wings with only 2 submarginal cells of which the normal
second opens on second vein (R,) and without any posterior cross-vein in hind border
2 (Subfam. Syllegomydainae Beq.)
Aedeagus in $¢ single, ending in a single phallic tube or gonopore; wings either with 3
submarginal cells of which the normal second forms an apically-stalked enclosed cell
between the first and third or, if with only 2 submarginal cells, the second opens on costal
margin or on second vein, but in latter case with a posterior cross-vein in hind border 25
(b
wa
2. (a) Wings with the posterior vein of third posterior cell originating from apical cross-vein of
second basal cell, the former cell thus tending to be much narrowed basally; sternite 9
in gg usually more inflated or conically tumid or more deeply hollowed out scoop-like
above, with a more prong- or spine-like, backwardly projecting process on each side
dorsally; aedeagal apparatus of $¢ various, but usually not in form of two long, curved,
stethoscope-like, phallic tubes arising in front of a shield-like basal sclerite; proboscis, if
well developed, usually thicker, stouter, with broadish labella_ .. os Samens
Wings with posterior vein of third posterior cell originating from distal part of the cubital
or anterior vein of anal cell and not from apical cross-vein of second basal cell, the third
posterior cell thus much broadened basally; sternite 9g in gg more dorso-ventrally
flattened, more shovel-like or navicular, with a more flattened, inwardly-curved process,
sometimes broadened apically and hollowed out spoon-like on inner aspect, aedeagal
apparatus of $¢ in form of two long or very long, inwardly-curved, stethoscope-like,
phallic tubes, arising in front of a medial, basal, shield-like or quadrate sclerite; probos-
cis, even if reduced or short, usually thin and slender, sometimes very long, with much
smaller terminal labella .. Ee Be Sc 56 24 (Cephalocerini n.tribe)
Phallic tubes of aedeagus in known ¢¢ thick, stoutish, shortish, and with a conspicuous
funnel-like gonopore; sternite g in known ¢¢ usually more navicular or scoop-like,
hollowed out dorsally or posteriorly much compressed, or posteriorly broadly indented,
rarely conical; oviscape in known 92° with a few or a row of much thinner, more bristle-
like spines, or only with a row of bristly hairs; terminal segments in 9Q narrowed,
protruding beyond tergite 8; tibiae with the hairs markedly short, usually stiffish, or
sometimes spine-like and situated on more distinct granules, especially on hind ones
below, and with the spicules, at least on hind ones, below reduced or small; abdomen
usually distinctly more pedunculate or subpedunculate, more distinctly or markedly
narrowed waist-like near middle or between segments 2 and 4, usually very densely
(6
ar
(a
—
1S)
(0)
(6)
(a)
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA II
punctured or sculptured, either very coarsely or finely so; species usually more vespid-
or conopid-like .. 2 .. 4 (Mydaselpini n.tribe)
Phallic tubes in known 33 dierent eneoed! ene more slender, longer and more
pointed, or curved and horn-like, or very long and slender or, if not long, very short and
sessile, and usually with an inconspicuous and small gonopore, or with the pore only
conspicuous at end of very long tubes; sternite 9 in known g¢ usually distinctly more
tumidly conical or inflated or laterally compressed in apical part, rarely navicular
or much dorso-ventrally flattened scoop-like and, if broadly indented apically, other
characters do not differ; oviscape in known 2? with a row of very distinct, conspicuous,
broadish, stoutish, flattened spines on each side; terminal segments in 22 more trun-
cately or obliquely under tergite 8, composed of an upper, centrally-carinate, perpen-
dicular sclerite and a spine-bearing oviscape-sclerite on each side below it; tibiae with
relatively longer, finer, usually less spine-like hairs, usually not situated on granules
(or these are scarcely perceptible), and with the spicules, especially on hind ones,
usually longer, sometimes more numerous; abdomen not markedly narrowed waist-like,
and, if slightly narrowed between segments 2 and 3 (or 4), usually not coarsely or very
densely punctured or sculptured and, if punctured, other characters conform; species
usually more asilid- or scoliid- or apid-like .. Be 6 (Syllegomydaini n.tribe)
Aedeagal apparatus in §¢ without a distinct epimere in front of the two phallic tubes;
sternite 9 in gg more roundly convex broadish, scoop-like, in side view more rounded
posteriorly, not or only slightly indented medially, not deeply so, its processes more
slender, with shorter and sparser hairs below; oviscape in 922 with a row of longer,
stouter bristles; abdomen stouter, distinctly more coarsely and densely punctured,
pitted, or rugulosely punctured above; tergite 1 more coarsely punctured across middle
discally, and with fairly long, dense, mane-like hairs across sides basally and middle
discally, usually without, or with less, conspicuous silvery or greyish white bloom on
sides basally and on metapleurae, metasternal parts and hind coxae; clypeus smaller,
less convex, more sloping straight down; hind femora less clavately thickened, their
base less slender; hind tibiae with oe but distinct, spicules along inner face and near
apex, especially in 99... a My .. Mpydaselpis Bezz.
Aedeagal apparatus in $¢ either “fil a 1 pfesril more dlisitact epimere, or more conspi-
cuous process or tongue-shaped lobe, or with a double epimere; sternite 9 in jg either
narrowed, laterally compressed posteriorly, in side view more vertically or sharply
truncate apically, or sometimes more conical and posteriorly distinctly more deeply
indented in middle, its processes stouter and broader, or shorter, with longer and denser
hairs below; oviscape in 29 with a row of finer, more hair-like bristles or bristly hairs,
or with very few of them bristle-like; abdomen more slender, sometimes distinctly more
pedunculately narrowed and waist-like at segments 2 and 3, either with dense or sparse,
much finer, or very fine aciculate, setiferous puncturation; tergite 1 only finely, more
sparsely punctured, sometimes transversely grooved or striated on sides and sides
basally, with only fine or much shorter, not densely mane-like, hairs on sides (if with
longish ones, these not separated mane-like on sides basally), usually with dense,
conspicuous, silvery whitish tomentum on sides basally and sometimes also on meta-
pleural, metasternal and hind coxal parts; clypeus usually longer, more bulging or
convexly prominent; hind femora usually more clavate, their base more slender, often
with more conspicuous transverse, node-like annulation; hind tibiae without any or
with only very much smaller spicules along inner face or apically,evenin92 .. 5
Epimere of aedeagal apparatus in $d single, in form of a spine-like, lobe-like, or tongue-
shaped process in front of and dorsal to the two phallic tubes; sternite 9 in ¢¢ less
indented posteriorly above; terminal abdominal segments in 99 more sharply tapering
and with a row of hair-like bristles or with only a few such bristles on apical section of
oviscape; abdomen distinctly more pedunculate, narrowed waist-like at segments 2
and 3; tergite 1 more usually transversely grooved or striated on sides and
basally; mesonotal part of thorax above finely hairy, without triangular, less sculptured,
bare or tomented areas anteriorly submedially and basally; pleural, especially meso-
pleural, metapleural and hypopleural parts, if not tomented, bare and without distinct
hairs ae a beg a ube aD as .. Vespiodes n.gen.
(= eptoias Sack nec Gerst.)
(= Mydaselpis Beq. nec Bezz.)
12
(0)
6. (a)
(5)
7. (a)
(0)
8. (a)
ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
Epimere of aedeagal apparatus in § double, in form of two sharply pointed prongs in
front of and dorsal to the two phallic tubes: sternite 9 in g deeply indented posteriorly
above; terminal abdominal segments in @ less pointed and with a row of bristly hairs
across apical section of oviscape; abdomen less pedunculate, less narrowed waist-like at
segments 2 and 3; tergite 1 apparently not transversely striated on sides; mesonotal
part above without, or with less distinct, hairs, with two submedial, anterior, triangular,
and two basal triangular, less sculptured, tomented areas; pleurae, especially hinder
part of mesopleuron, pteropleuron, metapleuron and hypopleuron, with some distinct
hairs BH ae oe 6 oe Se He Afromydas Beq. (ex descr.)
(from Somaliland)
Hind tibiae somewhat or distinctly compressed, longitudinally strongly carinate or
ridged below, ending apically below in a conspicuous, prominent, tooth- or spine-like
process in both sexes or in at least the gg; hind femora either markedly thickened,
incrassate, spindle-shaped, or distinctly strongly clavately thickened, with two rows of
spines below and also with some in a row, or some apically, external to the normal two
rows; proboscis either almost wanting, vestigial, or usually very short, confined to
buccal cavity, and in latter case with large, fleshy, elongate labella, usually longer than
basal part; bullae more linear along extreme hind margin, or narrow and more obliquely
situated; lateral lobes of tergite 9 in gg sometimes strongly chitinized apically and
armed there with a pad of distinct denticles, or sometimes with distinct setiferous granules
along margins apically below i a : ; a ey Sahay)
Hind tibiae more cylindrical, either non-carinate Bele feebly so, or only slightly so in
basal half, without any distinct or strong apical process or prong below, at most with
only a slight, insignificant prominence below; hind femora, even if much thickened, as in
some 6d, usually more clavately so and usually with only two rows, or sometimes even
only one, of spines below and, if with some scattered spines apically on outer side, these
do not constitute a distinct row and the other characters conform; proboscis usually
longer or very long and, if short and confined to buccal cavity or if vestigial, the labella
are not fleshy and hind leg-characters do not differ; bullae, if present, usually broader,
more ovate, bean-shaped or rounded, or occupying much of hind border; lateral lobes
of tergite 9 in gg more lappet-like, not armed with denticles or setiferous granules
apically oe Fe a ae ic 50 oie sie ar o6 |G)
Frons and face very much narrower, the interocular space on vertex very much less
than twice width of eye; vertex sunk in at middle; antennal clubs more elongate, more
bottle-shaped, with much larger terminal, crater-like tubercle; proboscis, though
reduced and short, still only a little shorter than buccal cavity; wings not pedunculate
basally, the alula much broader, more lobe-like; hind femora markedly incrassate, more
subspindle-shaped, especially in $d; lateral lobes of tergite 9 in Jd more broadened,
more truncate or subtruncate apically and armed there with a pad of coarser denticles;
processes of sternite 9 in f¢ more rod- or prong-like, narrowed apically
Haplomydas Bezz.
(= Heleomydas Séguy)
(=Rhopalia Brun. nec Macq.)
Frons and face markedly broad, the interocular space on vertex markedly broad, quite
or very little less than width of eye; vertex straighter, not distinctly sunk in; antennal
clubs either more subglobularly pyriform, subglobular, or berry-shaped, with much
shorter, or even small, crater-like terminal tubercle; proboscis wanting, or very rudi-
mentary, confined to base of buccal cavity; wings distinctly more narrowed or peduncu-
late basally, the alula much reduced, or only narrowly lobe-like: hind femora more
clavately thickened, with a longer narrow basal part; lateral lobes of tergite 9 in gd
more narrowed, or more roundly pointed apically, with fewer, less distinct denticles
apically, or with inconspicuous setiferous granules only; processes, not prong-like, more
dorso-ventrally depressed, or flattened, strap-like, upcurved and more broadened
apically
ae Si BG fe so, OO
Integument of pleurae ea abdomen with distinct fine areolar microsculpture which on
the pleurae, especially sternopleuron and anterior part of mesopleuron, is the main cause
of dullness rather than the fine greyish bloom which is discernible to a lesser extent even
on rest of pleurae, and the abdomen dull, due to the microsculpture; humeral tubercles,
sides of thorax, pteropleural and to a certain extent metapleural parts and metanotum
dark or blackish; hind margin of tergite 1 dark; tergite 5 entirely ochreous like 4 and 3;
tergite 6 only yellowish discally across hind margin; bullae markedly large, reddish
brownish, with very broad black margin; wings tinted rather darkly brownish, rather
broadly so along veins, even along those in apical part; hairs on thorax, especially sides,
on pleurae, metanotum and base of abdomen distinctly longer, denser, and those on last
3 segments darker, more brownish; antennae relatively shorter, segment 3 propor-
tionally shorter, scarcely or not longer than buccal cavity, only a very little, or scarcely,
longer than club; proboscis longer, quite 3-8 mm; hind femora distinctly more thickened,
darker, not very much, or contrastingly, paler below; basal segment of hind tarsi
distinctly longer than claw-segment .. ste 3 on 2 microareolatus n.sp.
Brownish infuscation in wings ending distally rather abruptly, or truncately or sub-
truncately at about level of apex of third posterior cell and straight across to costal
margin, leaving the rest, or apical part of wings, more or less contrastingly uninfuscated
and slightly subopaquely milky whitish like hind border; clypeus distinctly shorter, its
dorsal length, from depressed base to apex of buccal cavity, subequal in length, or
scarcely longer than, antennal segment 1; tergites 2-4 with an indication or tendency to
have a dark central discal streak, either in basal half or in middle; bullae, smaller reddish
brownish, dark-margined; hind femora more broadly, or contrastingly, pale yellowish
reddish or yellowish brownish below, their spines slightly more pallid and longer
2 suffusipennis (Brun.)
Slightly more smoky brownish infuscation in wings narrower, darker along veins, not
ending so abruptly, the apical part, even if slightly whitish, not contrastingly delimited ;
clypeus relatively longer, its dorsal length distinctly longer than antennal segment 1;
tergites 2-4 entirely ochreous discally, without an indication of central darker streaks
or marks; bullae larger, entirely dark or black; hind femora more narrowly or less
extensively paler below, appearing darker, their spines more yellowish and shorter
Q flavidorsalis n.sp.
Body more extensively darkened, either mainly very dark blackish brown or black;
abdomen above and below very dark, dark blackish brown or black, the black discal
patches on tergites, if present, blending with the dark rest, not conspicuously and
contrastingly evident; legs much darker or even blackish, or at least hind femora more
extensively darkened or more blackish above ye Be : Re 2 OG:
Body on the whole much paler, with more extensive yellowish eae castaneous, or
chestnut brownish; abdomen more yellowish brownish, reddish, reddit brownish, or
castaneous brownish above and usually much paler below, more yellowish or pale
yellowish brownish, the darker or blackish discal patches on tergites, if present, more
98. (2)
(b
a
99- (2)
(0)
100. (a)
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 83
conspicuously and contrastingly evident; legs on the whole paler or much paler, more
yellowish, pale yellowish brownish to brownish and, if castaneous, usually with at least
the hind femora distinctly less dark or less extensively darkened above .. “7,100
Stouter species, with relatively stouter abdomen; legs longer, the hind femora longer,
more slender, less thickened, and entire legs much darker, the femora either much
darker or more extensively darkened or blackened above; clypeus darker, either entirely
dark or darker reddish brownish or reddish on sides; area around the yellowish humeral
tubercles and the sides of thorax above dark or black; scutellum very dark or black;
metanotum entirely black; antennae much shorter, segment 3 shorter, either shorter
than, or subequal in length to, interocular space on vertex, and the club shorter, more
pyriform or subpyriform; proboscis much shorter, stouter, very much shorter than
vertical length of eyes; wings relatively shorter; sternite 9 shorter, more bluntly conical
99:
More slender species, with relatively longer, more slender abdomen; legs shorter, stouter,
the hind femora relatively shorter, stouter, distinctly more thickened, more subspindle-
shaped, and entire legs paler, more brownish, the femora less darkened above, more
castaneous brownish above; clypeus paler yellowish; area around the yellowish humeral
tubercles extensively yellowish reddish like the sides of thorax above; scuttellum yellow-
ish or yellowish reddish; sides of metanotum reddish brownish to a variable extent;
antennae much longer, segment 3 longer, distinctly longer than interocular space, and
the club more elongate-pyriform or flask-shaped; proboscis longer, more slender, only
slightly shorter than vertical length of eyes; wings distinctly longer; sternite 9 distinctly
longer, more sharply conically narrowed we we BES ue 3 tuliensis n.sp.
Antennal club distinctly much thicker, more inflated, about or nearly half as broad at
broadest part as long, appearing shorter, more thickly conical, more rapidly narrowed
basally; proboscis stouter, slightly shorter, its length, excluding basal thecal part,
subequal to or even slightly shorter than width (length) of eyes in side view; clypeus
yellowish on sides to a variable extent; halteres more extensively brownish above;
sternite 9 narrower, more bluntly pointed apically site .. & anuliventris n.sp-
Antennal club distinctly less thickened, less inflated, more subpyriform, distinctly less
than half as broad at broadest part as long, appearing more elongated, more gradually
narrowed basally; proboscis more slender, slightly longer, its length, excluding basal
thecal part, distinctly more than width of eyes in side view; clypeus entirely dark;
halteres with less brown above; sternite 9 more inflated or bulbular apically
3 karooanus n.sp.
Not mainly light or pale reddish species; abdomen above at least darker and, apart
from dark or blackish discal part of tergite 2, usually with conspicuous, dull, dark or
black, saddle-shaped, discal patches on at least basal halves of tergites 3-5 or 6; proboscis
usually only reddish below; sides of thorax above not or only narrowly and obscurely
reddish and, if broadly orange or reddish, rest of body not mainly reddish; scutellum
more often dark; metanotum entirely dark or blackish or with less extensive reddish on
sides; legs either more yellowish, yellowish brownish or castaneous, not light reddish 1o1
(6) Mainly light reddish, pale yellowish reddish, or chestnut-brownish species; entire
abdomen, excepting sometimes segment 1, paler, light reddish, orange reddish, or
chestnut-brownish, without any dull blackish, discal, saddle-shaped patches on tergites,
such if present, more yellowish or golden gleaming; proboscis, excepting dark labella,
entirely pale, light reddish or pale yellowish reddish; broadish sides of thorax above also
light reddish, pale yellowish reddish or at least broadly much paler than disc; scutellum
usually much paler, more light reddish; metanotum paler mainly or more extensively
reddish ; legs on the whole paler, more light reddish or pale yellowish reddish .. 107
101. (a) Vestiture on body, especially on thorax discally above, abdomen beyond tergite 2, on
coxae and legs distinctly shorter, the hairs on thorax above more whitish or snow whitish
like rest of hair; proboscis distinctly longer, longer, or much longer than 1-6 mm and
usually much blackened above; first posterior cell in wings usually narrower, not much
broader, as broad as, or even a little narrower, then broadest part of second submarginal
cell; knobs of halteres darkened or very dark above si We Pie oO?
84
ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
(6) Vestiture on body longer, especially hairs on thorax discally, abdomen beyond tergite 2,
on coxae and legs distinctly much longer, more villose, those on thorax above and to a
certain extent on vertex distinctly more greyish yellowish to creamy yellowish; proboscis
markedly short, only about 1-36-1-6 mm and, except for dark labella, mainly or
entirely yellowish brownish, scarcely darker above; first posterior cell relatively broad,
usually broader than broadest part of second submarginal cell; halteres and knobs
entirely pallid or yellowish .. me ae we ae he S vansoni n.sp.
102. (a) Area around yellowish or dark humeral tubercles dark or black, or distinctly less
wa
extensively yellowish reddish, reddish, or orange; sides of thorax above entirely dark or
black, or only very narrowly and obscurely reddish; scutellum very dark or black;
abdomen above usually darker, dark castaneous brownish to almost black; bullae more
depressed or flattened and usually with more distinct pit-like depressions; sides basally
of tergite 3 usually with some distinct longish hairs and, if without such, other characters
conform .. ie 2 ae oe ee ine ae ee oa LOS
Area around yellowish or pale humeral tubercles distinctly more broadly or extensively
yellowish reddish, reddish, or orange reddish; sides of thorax above, to at least base of
wings, more distinctly and fairly broadly yellowish, reddish or orange; scutellum some-
times paler, more reddish brownish; abdomen above on the whole paler brownish or
paler castaneous brownish, especially in apical half or posteriorly; bullae more normally
convex, not depressed, not pitted; sides basally of tergite 3 without distinct or con-
spicuous longish hairs .. Be 106
103. (a) Clypeus darker, either very dark reddish brownish or almost black; extreme sides of
abdomen above from tergite 3 to 7 distinctly more consistently and conspicuously con-
trastingly yellowish or ochreous; venter on the whole paler, yellowish or ochreous;
bullae dull or duller, only slightly depressed, with scarcely any, or with only very
shallow indications of, pit-like depressions; short decumbent hairs on abdomen above
from tergite 3 distinctly sparser; legs, apart from dark upper surface of femora, much
paler yellowish oie ap aE cee ae 23 A ae cn Coy
(6) Clypeus paler, more yellowish, paler yellowish brownish, brownish, to castaneous;
extreme sides of abdomen above from tergite 3 more obscurely or often only slightly,
paler than disc, usually not so consistently and contrastingly yellowish, and often not
reaching tergite 7; venter on the whole darker, often pale yellowish only at base; bullae
polished and shining, more often with some more distinct pit-like depressions; short
hairs on abdomen above from tergite 3 distinctly denser; legs on the whole slightly
darker, more pale yellowish brownish than pale yellowish .. ae ate w=) LO5
104. (a) Sides of abdomen, on sides of tergite 2 and along extreme sides of 3-7, more broadly
ochreous yellowish, and venter and hypopygium ochreous yellowish; ring-like yellowish
whitish hind margins of tergites relatively broader; scutellum dark reddish brownish
and postalar calli more extensively reddish; metanotum more obscurely reddish brownish
on sides basally; clypeus very dark reddish brownish; hairs at base of abdomen longish
only on tergites 1 and 2, and hairs on venter sparser and shorter; greyish whitish
tomentum on abdomen denser; wings tinted slightly more subopaquely whitish, with
pale yellowish reddish veins; lobes of tergite 9g more bluntly rounded apically; sternite 9
more narrowed or compressed apically, keeled centrally below in apical part, its
processes relatively broader, blunter apically, more shallowly hollowed below near apex
3 capicolus n.sp. (= paganus (Bezz.) nec (Gerst.))
(6) Sides of abdomen on sides of tergite 2 only yellowish along extreme margin and extreme
sides of 3-7 more narrowly yellowish, not ochreous yellowish, and venter and hypopy-
gium also yellowish; yellowish whitish hind margins of tergites relatively narrower;
scutellum darker or blackish, and postalar calli less extensively reddish; metanotum
entirely black; clypeus darker, almost black; hairs at base of abdomen with some longish
ones also at sides basally of tergite 3, and hairs on venter denser and longer; greyish
whitish tomentum on abdomen above less dense; wings tinted slightly more yellowish,
with darker veins; lobes of tergite g more sharply pointed apically; sternite g not com-
pressed to apex, more bluntly conical, not keeled apically below, its processes relatively
narrower, more sharply pointed at apex, more distinctly grooved below to apex
3 orangiae n.sp.
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 85
105. (2) Humeral tubercles pale yellowish; hind margin of tergite 1 more yellowish and those of
(0)
106. (a)
(6)
107. (a)
(0)
108. (a)
(b)
2-7 more conspicuous; clypeus tending to be paler or more yellowish
3 mauricei Beq. (more typical forms)
Humeral tubercles darkened to a variable extent; hind margin of tergite 1 darker or
more brownish and yellowish whitish ones of 6 and 7 narrower, obscure, or almost
confined to disc; clypeus tending to be darker, more brownish
& maurice: Beq. (var. of)
Hind femora relatively more thickened, less darkened above, without conspicuous
transverse annulation; hind tibiae without conspicuous transverse annulation, with dis-
tinctly longer spicules; thorax above with less extensive reddish or yellowish reddish, the
sides more narrowly and more obscurely reddish brownish; scutellum more distinctly
reddish brownish; clypeus more brownish; tergite 1 darker, more blackish above;
proboscis distinctly much shorter, only about 1-68 mm; wings more feebly tinted and
knobs of halteres scarcely darkened above; sternite 9 relatively much shorter, smaller,
its free conical part shorter, its processes, in side view, with a longer slender part, more
bent up apically; smaller species, about 16-5mm .. ane .. © stevensoni (Beq.)
Hind femora slightly less thickened, more darkened above, with rather distinct and
conspicuous transverse annulation; hind tibiae with marked transverse annulation, with
only small and minute spicules; thorax above with extensive orange or yellowish reddish,
the sides broadly yellowish reddish or orange; scutellum darker, more blackish; clypeus
more reddish; tergite 1 more brownish; proboscis distinctly longer, quite 3 mm; wings
slightly tinted deeper yellowish and with knobs of halteres darker above; sternite 9
relatively longer, its free conical part longer, its processes, in side view, with relatively
shorter and straighter slender part; larger species, about20mm _ .. 6 rudebecki (Beq.)
More light reddish or pale yellowish reddish, tergite 1 dark; bullae darker, more
blackish; tergites without distinct delimited antero-medial discal patches of golden-
gleaming tomentum, most of the surface being covered with yellowish tomentum and
denser golden-gleaming hairs; sternites with pallid hind margins, even if only on sides;
proboscis distinctly longer, projecting considerably beyond buccal cavity; wings tending
to be more distinctly tinted yellowish, more so along veins in apical part; appendix at
base of second submarginal cell usually much longer; hind femora stouter, more
thickened, with stouter base; processes of sternite 9, in side view, distinctly more S-
curved, stouter; phallic tubes comparatively longer; epimere, relative to phallic tubes,
much shorter .. atte BG a ih Nes A .. 6 matetsiensis Beq.
More chestnut or castaneous brownish, tergite 1 only dark across basal depression;
bullae more brownish; tergites 2-6 at least with more delimited or conspicuous semi-
circular antero-medial discal patches of golden-gleaming tomentum and with much
sparser and shorter hairs; sternites without any yellowish whitish hind margins; proboscis
distinctly much shorter, only the labellar part projecting beyond buccal cavity; wings
even more faintly tinted yellowish, without distinct yellowish borders along veins in
apical part; appendix at base of second submarginal cell much shorter or even wanting;
hind femora less thickened, their base distinctly more slender; processes of sternite 9, in
side view, more slender, straighter; phallic tubes relatively much shorter; epimere rather
longish .. = ie ak a: ee Ais 3 junodi Beq. (ex descr.)
Abdomen above distinctly dulled basally, or in basal half, by distinct tomentum discally
on tergites 1 and 2 or discally and basally on 1-4 or 5, only the apical half or part of
abdomen distinctly polished and shining; tergites 7 and 8, or 6-8, usually extensively
or broadly yellowish, ochreous, yellowish reddish or reddish across hinder part or half,
tergite 8 often mainly, extensively, or entirely, differently coloured from rest of tergites;
hind margins of tergites more broadly or conspicuously yellowish or yellowish whitish;
humeral area around tubercles, and often sides of thorax, more aerate or more
broadly yellowish reddish or reddish oe ye Mi ne : ae LOG
Abdomen above, excepting sometimes tergite 1, not dulled by tomentum discally, the
entire abdomen distinctly more polished and mee tergites 7 and 8 either entirely
dark or with only the normal broad yellowish hind margins or, if 7 has a broadish hind
margin, 8 is not pale or differently coloured from rest of tergites; hind margins of tergites
usually more narrowly yellowish whitish; humeral area around tubercles without or
86 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
with less extensive yellowish reddish or reddish, and sides of thorax above either black
or only narrowly and obscurely reddish oie Ae a0 : he 50 HIG)
109. (a) Wings distinctly less infuscated, either greyish hyaline, tinted ae yellowish, or
tinted only in certain cells, without any conspicuous and contrasting fuscous borders
along veins; legs more slender, on the whole relatively longer, especially hind ones of
which the femora are distinctly less thickened, more clavate and tibiae long and slender;
yellowish hind margins or parts of tergites 6 and 7, or at least 7, broader, conspicuously
and extensively broader, broader than discal apical half of tergites ‘RS HEEL:
(b) Wings distinctly more infuscated, appearing much darker and, apart from a deeper
uniform yellowish or yellowish brownish tinge, with more conspicuous or very con-
spicuous contrasting fuscous borders along veins; legs distinctly shorter, stouter, especially
hind ones of which the femora are stouter, distinctly more thickened, appearing less
clavate, with thicker base, and tibiae shorter, stouter; yellowish hind margins or parts
of tergites 6 and 7, even if broadened and broader than rest, occupying less than apical
half of tergites .. ve ae sh ue ne ay ae Ly Jo UES}
110. (a) Larger wasp- or masarid-like species, with much darker, dark castaneous brownish,
blackish brownish to blackish, and also broader, abdomen; venter mainly dark; sides
anteriorly of metanotum and pleurae with less extensive reddish, the former sometimes
and the latter (excepting sometimes the ptero- and metapleural parts) mainly black;
disc of thorax above black, without even two obscure submedial reddish streaks; wings
without a very distinct subopaquely whitish tint; hairs on disc of thorax above, on sides
of tergites 1 and 2 and on hind coxae distinctly longer and denser . - eH TOTAL
(6) Slightly smaller, more slender species, with more slender and pete Bate yellowish
brownish abdomen; venter pale, even more yellowish than abdomen above; sides
anteriorly of metanotum and pleurae with distinctly more extensive reddish; disc of
thorax with indications of two submedial reddish streaks; wings distinctly subopaquely
faintly yellowish or yellowish whitish; hairs on thorax above, sides of tergites 1 and 2
and on hind coxae distinctly shorter, sparser ate a .. 2 subclausus (Bezz.)
11. (a) Wings uniformly faintly greyish yellowish or greyish hyaline, not more yellowish in
some central cells; veins darker; last tergite entirely or extensively yellowish or pale
yellowish reddish; tergites 3 and 4 either not dulled or, if so in more than their basal
half discally, they are only feebly so; hind margins of sternites conspicuously and broadly
yellowish; reddish area around yellowish humeral tubercles more extensive, broader at
base of thorax and sides more broadly reddish; antero-lateral parts of metanotum more
extensively reddish; ptero- and metapleural parts to a variable extent reddish; legs much
paler yellowish, the hind femora not, or less extensively, darkened above or laterally;
antennae shorter, the club more inflated, longer than or subequal in length to, segment
3; proboscis shorter or much shorter, less than 2-4. mm; hairs on head in front entirely
snow whitish and those on last two abdominal segments longer, either fulvous reddish or
fulvous brownish ae St ele
(b) Wings faintly greyish yellow ish, the apical half of evi ail Git bal ‘cell and lower
half or part of second basal cell distinctly tinted more yellowish; veins paler yellowish
reddish, pallid posteriorly; last tergite more brownish; tergites 3 and 4 distinctly more
conspicuously dulled in more than their basal half discally; hind margins of sternites
only distinctly yellowish whitish on extreme sides; reddish area around yellowish
humeral tubercles more circumscribed, sides of thorax more narrowly reddish, and base
also more narrowly so; antero-lateral part of metanotum more narrowly and obscurely
reddish; pleurae, excepting obscure sutural parts, entirely dark or black; legs on the
whole darker, the femora above, and especially hind ones, more extensively brownish;
antennae longer, the club less obviously inflated, more elongate-pyriform, shorter than
segment 3; proboscis longer, about 2-4 mm; hairs on vertex, sides of frons and on clypeus
above distinctly a and those on last two abdominal segments shorter, sparser
and dark ae : a P sts a © campsomeroides n.sp.
112. (a) Antennal clubs mainly or entirely orange ies ish, thicker, more inflated, subovate,
more rapidly narrowed basally, about or nearly half as broad as long at broadest part;
segment 3 also mainly orange yellow; clypeus entirely pale or orange yellowish; proboscis
relatively shorter, stouter and excluding thecal part, subequal in length to, or even
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 87
shorter than, width (length in side view) of eyes, its labella longer; sides of thorax above
not, or only very narrowly and obscurely, reddish; hairs on last three abdominal seg-
ments fulvous or fulvous reddish .. a ; Ae 9 anuliventris n.sp.
(6) Antennal clubs not mainly orange yellowish, their el and basal parts more exten-
sively darkened, less thickened, more gradually broadened from base, elongate, cone-
shaped, appearing longer, at broadest part distinctly much less than half their length;
segment 3 darker or blackish; clypeus darker, more brownish, or yellowish only on sides;
proboscis relatively longer, distinctly longer than width (length side view) of eyes,
its stem more slender, its labella distinctly very much shorter, shorter than stem; sides
of thorax above broadly or more conspicuously reddish; hairs on last three abdominal
segments darker, more fulvous brownish a an Bis Q karooanus n.sp.
113. (2) Hairs on head in front, thorax above, metanotum, tergites 1 and 2, metasternum and
coxae distinctly shorter and sparser; those on disc of thorax and on coxae fulvous reddish
or brownish; those on legs shorter and sparser, more yellowish or fulvous; yellowish
whitish hind margins of tergites 5~7 only conspicuous discally, obscure or darkish on
sides; extreme sides of tergites 2—5 or 6 not yellowish; hind margins of sternites yellowish
only on extreme sides; sternal parts, especially metasternal parts, less extensively blackish
on sides, with more reddish; pleurae also with more reddish; coxae more reddish or
reddish brownish, the legs more reddish brownish and last tarsal segment darkened
apically; proboscis much longer, longer than 1:6 mm, mainly reddish; wings slightly
less darkly tinted yellowish brownish; knobs of halteres darkened above .. Senin ek 1d:
(5) Hairs on these sites distinctly longer and denser, the species on the whole more hirsute;
those on disc of thorax and on coxae, especially hind ones, below more greyish yellowish
or creamy yellowish; those on legs relatively longer, denser, more greyish whitish or pale
sericeous yellowish; yellowish whitish hind margins of tergites 5 and 6 conspicuous also
on sides, though slightly narrower than discally; extreme sides of tergites 2-5 contrast-
ingly yellowish; hind margins of sternites more extensively and conspicuously whitish to
near middle; sternal parts, especially metasternal parts, more extensively blackish;
pleurae also more darkened or black; front and middle coxae darker, more blackish
brownish or black and legs more pale yellowish brownish; proboscis markedly short,
only about 1-6 mm long, yellowish brownish below, dark above; wings slightly more
darkly yellowish brownish; halteres and their knobs pallid or yellowish @ vansoni n.sp.
114. (2) Thorax, metanotum and abdomen, except dark tergite 1, mainly reddish or pale
reddish brownish; extreme sides of tergites darkened or blackish; tergites 5 and 6 exten-
sively yellowish above in at least apical half, and yellowish hind margins of rest rela-
tively broader; antennae relatively longer and segment 3 also relatively longer
© matetsiensis Beq. (more typical form)
(6) Thorax above, to a large extent pleurae, extensive middle and postero-lateral parts of
metanotum and greater part of abdomen very dark blackish brown or very dark
castaneous brownish; extreme sides of tergites concolorous with rest of dark abdomen;
tergites 5 and 6 less broadly yellowish and so only across hind margins, and yellowish
whitish hind margins of rest relatively narrower; antennae proportionally shorter, seg-
ment 3 relatively shorter Se Ets ae ae 2 matetsiensis Beq. (var. of)
115. (a) Proboscis much longer, about 2-2-8 mm; antennae much longer, more slender;
abdomen more elongate, narrower; clypeus brownish or castaneous brownish; pale
area around yellowish humeral tubercles distinctly less extensively yellowish brownish,
or even black; posterior metapleural part, below halteres, yellowish brownish or yellow-
ish to a variable extent; sides of tergite 1 basally, sometimes also laterally, more con-
sistently yellowish; hind margins of tergites either more broadly yellowish or brownish
or reddish, usually not broader so on sides than discally; venter usually paler basally,
more brownish, and hind margins of sternites only whitish on extreme sides; last two or
three abdominal segments more coarsely wrinkled; shortish hairs on sides basally of
tergite 1 longer, whitish, and reversed hairs on abdomen posteriorly slightly longer,
denser .. uss bi, Ns ak he Be bie aN as TET O
(6) Proboscis very much shorter, only about 1-32-1-6 mm; antennae much shorter, seg-
ment 3 proportionally stouter; abdomen less elongate, “ahreyearsanne tM broader; clypeus
much enkee or blackish; pale area around pale yellowish brownish humeral eu bercles
88 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
more extensive; posterior metapleural part entirely dark or black; sides of tergite 1 more
reddish brownish, only across base; hind margins of tergites more narrowly yellowish,
tending to be narrower and duller discally than laterally; venter entirely very dark, the
yellowish whitish hind margins of sternites more conspicuous, only relatively narrowly
darkened in middle; last two abdominal segments more shallowly and more feebly
wrinkled; shortish hairs on sides basally of tergite 1 shorter, more yellowish brownish,
and reversed hairs at apex of abdomen slightly shorter and sparser @ kaokoensis n.sp.
116. (a) Wings with the cells in hinder half clear in middle ie ae a 56 RG
(6) Wings distinctly more uniformly infuscated or tinted,no clear areas in cells evident 118
117. (a) Hind margins of tergites distinctly and consistently yellowish; humeral tubercles
yellowish 2 mauricei Beq. s.str.
(6) Hind margins of tergites more reddish brownish; humeral tubercles sometimes darkened
to a variable extent Bie at “ys sas sie 2 mauricet Beq. (var. 4 of)
118. (a2) Hind margins of tergites conspicuously yellowish; humeral tubercles tending to be
darkened to a variable extent .. ie we ods Q mauricet Beq. (var. 3 of)
(6) Hind margins of tergites darker, more consistently reddish brownish; humeral tubercles
yellowish .. 2 maurice Beq. (var. 2 of )
Groups and species of AFROLEPTOMYDAS
In his revision of Leptomydas (now Afroleptomydas) Bezzi (1924b: 204, 206,
208) assigned the various South African species known to him to three distinct
groups—Group I: luctuosus; Group Il: westermanni and Group III: humeralis. In
this memoir the luctuosus group, which shows certain distinct generic characters,
is transferred to a separate new genus Oreomydas. The other two groups have
been retained and constitute the two great categories in which all the known
species of Afroleptomydas can be accommodated.
Afroleptomydas westermanni Group
This is “Group IT’ of Bezzi which includes all those species showing the
following combination of characters:
Thorax above without distinct and conspicuous, delimited, longitudinal,
bare streaks between the hairs, the latter usually longish and dense, appearing
more uniformly and extensively distributed.
Abdomen above in both sexes shining, or more extensively shining or sub-
shining, without discal patches or rings of dull dark, or greyish whitish,
tomentum.
Pleurae more extensively shining, without any, or with less extensive greyish
whitish tomentum.
Femora with the hind ones usually more distinctly thickened or even
markedly incrassate sometimes.
The following species are referable to this group:
Afroleptomydas rufithorax (Wied.) n.comb.
Mpdas rufithorax Wiedemann, 1821: 117.
Midas rufithorax Wiedemann, 1828: 242. Wiedemann, 1831: 49, pl. 54, fig. 15.
Cephalocera rufithorax Westwood, 1841: 55. Walker, 1854: 375. Gerstaecker, 1868: 79.
Leptomydas rufithorax Bezzi, 19245: 207.
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 89
This rust-reddish or fulvous-haired Cape species can be easily identified from
Wiedemann’s description of the 3. The real @ is apparently still undescribed
and is represented by three specimens in the collections before me. The @ speci-
men from Cape Town referred to this species by Bezzi obviously belongs to an
entirely different species which Wiedemann described as Midas fasciatus in 1828
and with which I am dealing farther on.
The species rufithorax is characterized as follows:
Body mainly dark or black, the abdomen above in ¢ and the anterior half
or more of the pleural and sternal parts in both sexes sometimes more blackish
brown to dark reddish brownish; antennae usually mainly dark, but in 9 and
some j¢ more reddish brownish, the clubs in 9 orange yellowish, but dark
reddish to yellowish reddish in basal half in 3; clypeus mainly yellowish reddish
in Q, infused with yellowish reddish or reddish brownish in ¢§ to a variable
extent on sides, in some 39 almost entirely reddish brownish; rims of buccal
cavity in both sexes blackish; proboscis reddish below, more extensively so in 9;
the following parts yellowish reddish: humeral tubercles, in 9 the broad sides
and two submedial streaks (fading out posteriorly) and base of thorax above,
postalar calli in 3, narrow hind border of scutellum in Q, sides and midline of
metanotum in 9, middle and hinder parts of pleurae in 9, metapleural part in
3, metasternal part in both sexes, anterior lateral basal part of tergite 1 in 4,
entire sides of same tergite in 9, a streak cn sides of abdomen in 2 (becoming
much broader on last three segments and occupying almost entire last two),
a similar, but reduced streak in $ occupying only hind corner halves of anterior
segments, but more extensive in posterior corners of last three segments, genitalia
in both sexes, greater part of venter and legs in both sexes; hind margins of
tergites 2—7 in 3 and 2-6 in 9 yellowish whitish on sides, the middle parts being
dark; hind margins of sternites also yellowish whitish on sides; front coxae
and an inner streak in apical half of hind femora in 3 however dark to a variable
extent; bullae wine red.
Integument of middle part of frons, the scutellum, tergite 1 in 3, entire
abdomen above in 2 and more or less anterior upper half of pleurae shining;
that of abdomen above in J less shining, due to fine setiferous puncturation.
Vestiture with the hairs longish and dense in both sexes, though slightly
shorter and less dense on thorax above, tergite 1 and sides of 2 in 9; those on
head above to antennae, or in 9 extending down to sides of clypeus, those on
thorax above, on pleurae, coxae, sides of abdomen basally and to a large extent
on venter fulvous yellowish, rust reddish to fulvous reddish; those on propleural
prominence, on prominence in front of posterior thoracic spiracle, on sides of
metanotum and even on sides of abdomen basally in some $3 appearing more
whitish ; hairs on head below in both sexes, but sometimes on sides of clypeus in
3, and on lower half of head behind whitish; shortish hairs on rest of abdomen
above in J paler, more yellowish than fulvous; reversed ones on last two seg-
ments in 9 more brownish fulvous; hairs on legs in 3 dense and long, especially
on hind femora, with longish ones on inner sides of tibiae as well, those in 9
90 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
shorter, mainly fulvous or yellowish, sometimes in some gg appearing paler,
more whitish on femora; a dull greyish tomentum present on non-shining parts
of body.
Head with the antennae a little shorter than thorax (excluding scutellum) ;
segment 1 thickened, about 2-5-3 times length of 2; segment 3 stoutish,
thickened segment-like apically, longer than club; latter inflated, pyriform,
broadest just before middle in 3, at about middle in 9, from there rapidly
sloping up from below to terminal tubercle for a longer distance than above;
proboscis longish, much longer than vertical length of eye, with only sparse
Fic. 1 (same proportions)
Left: Side view of hypopygium of ¢ Afroleptomydas rufithorax (Wied.). Right: Side view of hypo-
pygium of ¢ Afroleptomydas rufihirtus n.sp.
and short hairs below; palps distinct, at least as long as antennal segment 2;
postvertical bristles very distinct.
Wings rather broadish, distinctly, though sometimes very faintly, tinted
yellowish to yellowish brownish, more so in middle parts, due to diffused fuscous
borders along veins; veins yellowish, the hinder ones darker; hind margin of
wings narrower than first and third posterior cells; first posterior cell widely
open apically on costal margin; apex of first submarginal cell sometimes tend-
ing to be narrower than second; discoidal cell usually stalked apically, some-
times scarcely so; knobs of halteres dark above.
Legs with the hind femora distinctly much thickened, a little more so in g,
the double row of reddish spines below from very near base; hind tibiae slightly
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA gI
curved; basal segment of hind tarsi longer than claw-segment.
Bullae markedly elongate in both sexes, in 3 vertically longer than antennal
segment 3, in 9 subequal to it, the space between them in ¢ narrower than their
vertical length, in 2 very much broader.
Oviscape in 2 with 9 or 10 spines on a side.
Hypopygium of 3 (text-fig. 1, left), with the anal lappets above rather long,
well developed; lobes of tergite 9 triangular, rather shortish, angularly pointed,
the angle between them dorsally subrectangular; sternite 9 conical, rounded
apically, slightly longitudinally wrinkled or grooved ventrally, with dense
hairs on sides below their processes or prongs; latter in side view longish and
slender, at least apical half slender, curved upwards towards apex, in dorsal
view directed inwards, narrowed and rounded apically, flattened and depressed
above to near apex and punctured on outer apical part above, in ventral
view grooved to near apex; aedeagal apparatus prominently projecting, apex of
dorsal epimere reaching or nearly reaching apex of anal lobes.
In the South African Museum.
Length of body: about 13-5-18 mm
Length of wing: about 10-13°5 mm
Distribution: Cape Province: Cape Peninsula (November—February).
Afroleptomydas rufihirtus n.sp.
A rust reddish or reddish-haired Cape species which resembles rufithorax
superficially, but, apart from its larger size, may be distinguished from the
latter in the following respects:
Body also mainly black or dark, with the abdomen distinctly more slender,
more elongate, the head and thorax similarly coloured, but clypeus in g more
consistently entirely dark, the humeral tubercles in both sexes more consistently
yellowish reddish and sides of thorax above in 2 more narrowly reddish and
metanotum in Q scarcely or not reddish on sides; clubs of antennae in both
sexes more consistently lividly orange yellowish; abdomen with hind margins
of tergites 2-7 and to a certain extent 8 in f and 2-6 in Q, apart from the whitish
extreme apical margins, entirely broadly and conspicuously, almost orange
yellowish, broadened out on sides, their discal parts not dark, that on 2 spot-
like; bullae shining black, not reddish, larger and more narrowly separated
above; tergite 7 in 9 discally in basal half more extensively darkened than in
rufithorax, and sides in apical part of 6 and 7 in ¢ more extensively yellowish;
venter as in rufithorax; pleurae similarly coloured; legs also mainly pale reddish
brownish, but front coxae in 2 dark as in g, and with a dark streak or infusion
on inner apical half of hind femora.
Integument of the abdomen above, in 4 at least, less uniformly shining, being
broadly dull across broadish yellowish hind margins of tergites; integer of
other parts as in rufithorax, with the same parts shining.
Vestiture as long and dense as in rufithorax, but hairs on sides of tergite 3 in g
distinctly longer and denser, and short hairs on rest of abdomen also propor-
92 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
tionally longer and denser; all the hairs, excepting snow whitish ones on head
behind, slightly deeper rust-coloured red or reddish, more fulvous reddish to
orange, even those on head below more yellowish than whitish; hairs on legs as
dense, but also with much longer ones on hind femora in both sexes, and with
longer and denser ones on inner sides of hind tibiae, with most of the hairs on
legs fulvous reddish, only the longish ones on femora being slightly paler, more
yellowish.
Head with the antennae a little longer, quite as long as or even a little
longer than thorax (excluding scutellum); segment 1 also thickened and with
the same relationship to 2; segment 3 distinctly very much longer, slightly more
slender, about or a little more than its apical third thickened; clubs shaped as in
rufithorax, but relatively longer, and very much shorter than segment 3; pro-
boscis relatively and distinctly longer; palps much longer than antennal seg-
ment 2.
Wings similarly tinted yellowish brownish, but on the whole slightly darker,
especially in middle parts as diffused fuscous borders along veins, bemg clearer
basally and along hind border; veins reddish; first posterior cell also broadly
touching costal margin; second submarginal cell rather narrow basally; apex of
discoidal cell with a more consistent stalk; knobs of halteres blackish brown
above.
Legs relatively longer, but with the hind femora also thickened, and with
the double row of spines below strong and dark reddish; basal segment of hind
tarsi also distinctly longer than claw-segment.
Oviscape in 2 with apparently only 8 spines on a side.
Hypopygium of 3 (text-fig. 1, right) very similar, but lobes of tergite 9 rela-
tively longer and slender part of processes of sternite 9 (side view) slightly less
slender, more gradually narrowed from broad basal part, the upper surface
more distinctly and more deeply grooved.
From 4 53 and 1 9, including the types, in the South African Museum.
Length of body: about 19-21-5 mm
Length of wing: about 14-15 mm
Distribution: Southern Cape: on sand dunes among vegetation at Pearly
Beach in the Bredasdorp division (South African Museum, December 1958).
This species may be looked upon as the southern coastal respresentative
of the Cape Peninsula rujithorax.
Afroleptomydas westernmanni (Wied.) n.comb.
Mydas westermanni Wiedemann, 1819: 2
Midas westermanni Wiedemann, 1828: 243. Wiedemann, 1831: 49, pl. 54, fig. 16.
Cephalocera westermanni Westwood, 1841: 55. Walker, 1854: 375. Gerstaecker, 1868: 78.
Leptomydas westermanni Bezzi, 19245: 206.
sl
This species, the second oldest mydaid to be described and the first one in
the Southern Hemisphere, has a marked resemblance to a bee. Of this species
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 93
there is only one ¢ specimen in the collections of the South African Museum,
without any locality label, but which Bigot labelled as ‘Cephalocera longiventris’ .
Bezzi in his revision referred it to westermanni. As it agrees in essentials with the
description of Wiedemann I am also retaining it provisionally in this latter
species. It may be easily recognized and distinguished from the other densely-
haired forms in this section by the following characters:
Body rather plump, more bee- or asilid-like, with relatively stoutish abdo-
men for a 3, mainly black; clypeus, proboscis below, antennae, pleural parts
and to a certain extent tergites 6 and 7 discally more dark reddish brownish;
extreme sides basally of tergite 1 and broadish streak on sides of the other
tergites, becoming more diffuse and extensive on 6 and 7 and venter, more
yellowish; postalar calli and narrow hind border of scutellum reddish; hind
margins of tergites 1-7 (more broadly on 1-5) reddish brownish across discal
part, but very pale yellowish whitish, or almost white, on sides of 1-5; bullae
reddish or wine red, very broadly separated; hypopygial structures more
yellowish reddish; legs castaneous brownish, the femora below, basal parts of
hind ones and all tibiae and tarsi more yellowish.
Integument of upper anterior parts of pleurae and scutellum shining; that of
abdomen, especially on sides and posteriorly, also shining to a certain extent,
but more dulled above by fine, transverse, rugulose sculpture.
Vestiture with markedly dense, longish and shaggy hairs on head, thorax,
pleurae, metanotum, tergites 1 and 2 and base of venter, which are denser than
in most other species; all these hairs yellowish; those on sides of frons anteriorly,
face, head below and behind and to a certain extent discally on tergites 1 and 2
more whitish; hairs on tergites 3 to apex shorter than those basally, but more
dense than in other species, dark or blackish brown, those on sides longer than
discally; hairs on venter longer than above, also blackish brown, denser
posteriorly; hairs on legs, especially coxae and hind femora, very dense and
long, longer than in most other species, yellowish on coxae, femora below and to
a large extent on basal half and lower surface of hind ones, shorter ones on
femora above and especially on hind ones on apical half and sides brownish;
hairs on tibiae mainly yellowish, but long ones along inner and lower sides of
hind ones more brownish.
Head broad; eyes large, distinctly more shining than in most other species,
due to the facets being more flattened and each visible as a minute hexagon;
antennae shorter than thorax (excluding scutellum), with segment 1 thickened,
about or quite 3 times length of 2; segment 3 slender, thickened apically, much
longer than club; latter inflated, pyriform, in side view broadest a little beyond
middle, then sloping up to terminal prominence, this region greyishly minutely
pubescent; proboscis longer than vertical length of eye, its labella relatively
large, broad, ovate; palps relatively large, longer than antennal segment 2;
postvertical spines present, bristle-like. |
Wings short and broadish, at least in 3, greyish hyaline, but very faintly
tinted yellowish in middle parts; veins yellowish reddish; apex of first posterior
94 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
cell touching costal margin broadly; apex of discoidal cell stalked; knobs of
halteres with a brownish spot above.
Legs with the hind femora much thickened, incrassate, spindle-shaped, the
double row of reddish spines below from near base; hind tibiae slightly curved;
basal segment of hind tarsi much longer than claw-segment.
Hypopygium of g with the lobes of tergite 9 markedly short, much shorter
than in most other species, bluntly rounded posteriorly; sternite 9 conical,
narrowed and rounded posteriorly, covered with longish hairs, especially on
sides below, the processes, in side view (text-fig. 2, top left), gradually narrowed,
curving up in apical part, in dorsal view flattened, directed inwards, bluntly
pointed, hollowed out or depressed above.
Length of body: about 15-5 mm in the single §
Length of wing: about 11 mm in the single 3
Distribution: Cape: ? probably south-western Cape.
Afroleptomydas apiformis n.sp.
This species, also represented by only a solitary ¢ specimen from the
north western Cape in the collections before me, is almost indistinguishable from
westermannt and obviously is the latter’s northern representative. It, too, has a
marked resemblance to a species of andrenine-bee, and may be distinguished
from its counterpart westermanni as follows:
Body with the pleurae darker, not so castaneous brownish; scutellum
entirely black, not piceous reddish across hind margin; entire abdomen above
black, not yellowish or yellowish brownish on sides; bullae black, not orange or
yellowish brownish, also longer vertically; hind margins of tergites discally
darker or black and only sides of those of 2 and 3, not 2-5, whitish or yellowish
whitish; venter darker, more castaneous brownish, being almost blackish
posteriorly; hypopygium much darker darker, almost black; legs relatively
darker, more brownish, the coxae black and femora above, especially hind
ones, more extensively darkened, more dark brownish.
Integument of thorax above with slightly coarser setiferous granules; that of
abdomen above with very similar ‘nadelrissig’ sculpture.
Vestiture on head, thorax, pleurae and tergites 1 and 2 as long and as dense,
though that on thorax above slightly shorter, less dense, the hairs on vertex,
frons, sides of face basally, thorax above, pleurae and tergites 1 and 2 also
yellowish, even more so than in westermanni; hairs on rest of abdomen above,
however, distinctly much shorter, entirely black, not with a slight dark brownish
tint; hairs on venter distinctly very much shorter and denser, especially in
apical half, also mainly black; hairs on coxae and legs distinctly very much
shorter and less dense, there being no longish and dense villose hairs on coxae
and femora as in westermanni, those on coxae below being mainly dark, not
yellowish whitish, and those on femora also mainly dark or blackish brown.
Head with the interocular space on vertex relatively broader and space on
head below relatively narrower, their relationship being 50:32 (47:38 in
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 95
westermannt) ; antennae relatively longer, though only about as long as thorax
(in westermanni distinctly shorter than thorax) ; segment 1 relatively longer, about
2-5 times length of proportionally longer segment 2; segment 3 proportionally
longer, also longer than club; latter shaped as in westermanni, but with a slightly
longer, more distinct constricted base; proboscis only a very little shorter, its
labella, however, with apparently more distinct spinules; some postvertical
spines also present.
Wings tinted distinctly darker, more smoky brownish, more extensively so
and more uniformly so, even alula, axillary lobe and hind border up to level of
apex of third posterior cell being distinctly tinged; veins more brownish; knobs
of halteres more extensively dark above.
Legs with the hind femora as stoutish, the double row of reddish spines
below on distinctly less prominent tubercles.
Hypopygium with the lobes of tergite 9 slightly more pointed apically and
black-haired; sternite 9, much shorter, its prongs (text-fig. 2, middle left) also
relatively shorter, with shorter, apical, slender part (side view) which is less
curved up and which in dorsal view is slightly narrower.
Single ¢ holotype in the Transvaal Museum.
Length of body: about 15 mm
Length of wing: about 12 mm
Distribution: North-west Cape: O’Ograbies (G. van Son, 11th December
1944).
Afroleptomydas boothi n.sp.
A smallish black and densely dark-haired species, represented in the
collections before me by $3 only, which also comes in this westermanni section
in which the abdomen is rather stoutish and the pale yellowish whitish or
whitish across hind margins of tergites is confined to sides. Named after Mr.
Clive Booth of the South African Museum who collected it. It can be easily
distinguished from all other species in this category by the following characters:
Body relatively short and plump, the abdomen relatively stoutish and
tapering, asilid-like in appearance, almost entirely black, but the underside of
proboscis to a variable extent, postalar calli, metapleural and metasternal parts
and extreme base on sides of tergite 1 to a variable extent sometimes more dark
reddish brownish; venter to a variable extent more yellowish brownish; hypopy-
gial structures with the outer sides of lobes of tergite g and lower ventral part of
sternite 9 also yellowish to yellowish brownish and upper outer margin in apical
half and upper surfaces of prongs of sternite 9 more reddish to reddish brownish;
hind margins of tergites 2-7 pale yellowish whitish or white only on extreme
sides; bullae deep reddish; legs with the femora darkened or black above to a
variable extent, sometimes almost entire hind femora dark, the lower surfaces
of femora and bases, or sometimes basal part, outer and lower surfaces of hind
ones to a variable extent castaneous to yellowish brownish, and tibiae and tarsi,
especially front and middle ones, more yellowish; hind tibiae sometimes more
96 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
castaneous or darkened above and claw-segment of hind tarsi usually darkened
above.
Integument of middle part of frons, to a certain extent clypeus, proboscis,
scutellum, abdomen and upper anterior half of pleurae shining; that of thorax
above with acicular setiferous puncturation, becoming slightly coarser, more
subgranular anteriorly; that of abdomen above with acicular to ‘nadelrissig’
puncturation, becoming much sparser posteriorly.
Vestiture with the hairs on head, thorax, pleurae, metanotum, tergites 1 and
2 and base of venter long and dense, dull yellowish brownish, greyish brown to
fulvous brownish in certain lights; those on clypeus (sometimes), head below,
lower part of head behind and sometimes even those on sides of abdomen more
whitish or appearing more whitish in certain lights; hairs on tergites 1 and 2
discally appearing either dark or greyish in different lights; shorter ones on rest
of abdomen above yellowish or whitish; hairs on venter either entirely dark or
mainly pale, even whitish or pale only posteriorly; hairs on legs dense and
longish on coxae and femora, but without long and conspicuous ones on inner
sides of hind tibiae as in westermanni and rufithorax, mainly dark or dark brownish,
but in one paratype mainly greyish.
Head with the antennae a little longer than thorax (excluding scutellum) ;
segment I slightly thickened, about 2-6~—3 (or even a little more) times length of
2; segment 3 longish, slender, at least as long as, or a little longer than, width of
eye, thickened apically, longer than club; latter inflated, pyriform, in side view
broadest a little beyond middle below, from there more gradually sloping to
apex than above and for a much longer distance; proboscis relatively long,
slightly longer than antennae or much longer than vertical length of eye, with
only very sparse hairs below; palps relatively long, distinctly much longer than
antennal segment 2.
Wings shortish, relatively broad, smoky brownish, more so in middle parts
and darker in some §¢ than in others; veins brownish; apex of first posterior
cell broadly touching costal margin; apex of discoidal cell with a relatively long
stalk; knobs of halteres black above.
Legs with the hind femora distinctly thickened, their double row of spines
below reddish brownish and from near base; hind tibiae very slightly curved;
basal segment of hind tarsi longer than claw-segment.
Hypopygium with the lobes of tergite 9 tending to be equilaterally triangular,
their posterior angles acute, junction of their inner margins almost or about
rectangular; sternite g bulbous, conically narrowed and bluntly rounded api-
cally, its processes in dorsal view directed inwards to near apices, then straight,
slightly pointed apically, slightly longitudinally grooved, in side view (text-fig. 2,
bottom left) gradually narrowed, appearing slender in less than apical half,
curving downwards, then horizontal or slightly upwards.
From 6 33, including the holotype, in the South African Museum.
Length of body: about 11-5-13°5 mm
Length of wing: about 7-5-9 mm
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 97
Distribution: Southern Cape: Pearly Beach in the Bredasdorp division
(South African Museum, December 1958). Collected from under small restia-
ceous shrubs growing on the coastal sandy dunes.
The colour of the pubescence in this species appears to be slightly variable.
One paratype differs from the other j¢ in having the hairs on sides of frons,
entire clypeus, metanotum, pleurae, coxae and abdomen more greyish whitish
to white.
Fic. 2. Side and dorsal views (all to same scale) of right process of sternite 9 of $¢ of:
Afroleptomydas westermanni (Wied.) (top left). Afroleptomydas lanipes (Bezz.) (top middle). Afro-
leptomydas villosus n.sp. (top right).
Afroleptomydas apiformis n.sp. (middle left). Afroleptomydas omeri (Stuck.) (middle middle).
Afroleptomydas anthophilus n.sp. (middle right).
Afroleptomydas boothi n.sp. (bottom left). Afroleptomydas fasciatus (Wied.) (bottom middle).
Afroleptomydas gessi n.sp. (bottom right).
98 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
Afroleptomydas omert (Stuck.) n.comb.
Leptomydas omeri Stuckenberg, 1955: 243.
A striking and relatively large, fairly widely distributed species, with
striking fulvous reddish hair on the thorax and snow whitish ones at base of
abdomen, which is partly montane, occurring in mountainous parts and in
valleys between mountains and which sometimes visits flowers, especially those
of species of Mesembryanthemum. The original description of Stuckenberg was
based on the ¢ only. Since then some other jg and also 3 99 have been collected.
Superficially the species resembles rufithorax and even more so the new
species rufihirtus. A redescription of the species to include the as yet undescribed
2 and to compare it with rujihirtus is as follows:
Body also mainly dark or black, with antennal segment 2 entirely or in
part sometimes also reddish as in rufihirtus; clubs mainly orange reddish in both
sexes; clypeus distinctly yellowish reddish to reddish or reddish brownish like
the proboscis below; humeral tubercles yellowish or yellowish reddish in both
sexes; sides of thorax above broadly reddish in both sexes, in the 3 more
conspicuously so than in ¢ of rufihirtus, and in 2 without the two submedial,
abbreviated, reddish streaks of the 9 of the latter species; extreme sides of meta-
notum reddish to a variable extent in both sexes; hind margins of tergites 2-7
in g and 2-6 in 9 even more broadly yellowish or orange, the basal margin of
these bands usually more orange and on sides of 5—7 in g and 5 and 6 in 9 the
bands extend broadly basalwards; pteropleuron, metapleural, hypopleural and
metasternal parts to a variable extent and sides of tergite 1 also yellowish
brownish, yellowish reddish or reddish in both sexes; bullae large, usually
shining black (but sometimes more dark brownish or yellowish brownish or
even reddish), narrowly separated above in 3, usually more broadly so in Q;
last tergite and apical half of penultimate one in 9 sometimes reddish brownish,
but sides of last tergite in 9 also dark reddish brownish like last sternite; venter
pale yellowish brownish in 3, but sometimes much darker, more dark reddish
or castaneous brownish in 9, the hind margins of sternites broadly yellowish
whitish on sides in 3, the middle part of sternites 2-4 and that of entire 1 being
dark or black; hypopygial structures mainly yellowish- or reddish brownish;
legs mainly yellowish reddish or reddish brownish in both sexes, the front and
middle coxae, however, blackish brown to black.
Integument of middle part of frons, postalar calli, scutellum, greater part of
pleurae in both sexes, entire tergite 1 and sides of 2 and 3 in both sexes, but
sometimes greater part or entire abdomen above and below in Q, shining; that of
tergites 2 and 3 above in both sexes and in some 99 also base of 4 above as well
as rest of tergites in 3, excepting the yellowish rings, dull black and unlike those
of rufihirtus.
Vestiture dense and longish on head, thorax, metanotum, pleurae, tergite 1
and sides of 2 (not on 3), basal half of venter and on coxae (those on thorax in
°, however, slightly shorter, less dense), mainly fulvous yellowish to strikingly
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 99
fulvous reddish, but sometimes slightly paler, more yellowish or yellowish
whitish on clypeus in 9, contrastingly snow whitish on tergites 1 and 2 in both
sexes and sometimes also more whitish on head below and behind eyes; rela-
tively dense; shortish hairs discally on tergites 2 and 3 in g appearing dark on
dark tomentum, but like rest of hairs on abdomen above tinted pale yellowish
whitish, yellowish to fulvous reddish; those on 2-4 discally in 2 dark, sometimes
more dark velvety brownish; the reversed ones on last two segments, however,
longer and denser, more fulvous brownish; hairs on venter whitish at base,
becoming more fulvous yellowish or reddish posteriorly; hairs on legs relatively
dense, but slightly shorter than in rufihirtus, in 3 at least, but entirely fulvous
yellowish or reddish.
Head with the antennae a little shorter than thorax (excluding scutellum) ;
segment 1 thickened, about 2-5-3 times length of 2; segment 3 elongate,
stoutish, a little less than its apical third thickened; club slightly elongate-
pyriform, in side view broadest around middle and there more dilated below,
shorter than, or sometimes scarcely shorter than, segment 3, its base constricted
bottle-neck-like and sometimes with the slightly narrower segment-like articula-
tion between club and segment 3 distinctly evident; proboscis rather stoutish,
shortish, shorter than antennal segment 3 and club combined, and longer than
vertical length of eyes, about 3:08-4:28 mm, with some long hairs basally
below; palps distinct, longer than, sometimes quite twice the length of, antennal
segment 2, narrowed apically; postvertical spines present.
Wings distinctly tinted yellowish brownish, more so in middle parts and
along the veins, slightly darker in 9 than in J, often more spot-like at bases of
second submarginal and first posterior cells, and sometimes with apical part of
first submarginal cell more darkly infused in 9, the wings in § appearing less
dark than in rufihirtus; veins yellowish to yellowish reddish in anterior part,
darker, more brownish in hinder and apical parts; second submarginal cell
narrowed basally; first posterior cell broadly open apically; apex of discoidal
cell distinctly, even if only shortly, stalked; knobs of halteres very dark brown
above.
Legs relatively long and stoutish, with the hind femora distinctly thickened,
their double row of spines reddish or dark reddish; hind tibiae almost straight
or only very slightly curved, their spicules stoutish and numerous; basal seg-
ment of hind tarsi much longer than claw-segment.
Oviscape in 2 with 7-9 rather broadish and shortish, spatulate, brownish
spines on a side.
Hypopygium of 3 as figured by Stuckenberg, with the lobes of tergite 9
angularly pointed apically; sternite 9 rather suddenly narrowed in apical part,
conically rounded, more or less transversely wrinkled basally and longitudinally
on sides below in apical part, their processes, in side view (cf. text-fig. 2, middle
middle) curved slightly upwards in apical third, narrowed and bluntly pointed
apically in dorsal view.
From 9 gg and 3 99 (gS holotype, ¢ allotype, 1 g paratype, 4 dd and 2 99
100 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
in the South African Museum, 2 j¢ in the Transvaal Museum and 1 ¢ in the
National Museum of Rhodesia).
Length of body: about 22-29 mm
Length of wing: about 15-19 mm
Distribution: South-western Cape: Haarlem along Swart- and Langebergen
(P. Graham, September 1953) (g holotype and 1 ¢ paratype); near Haarlem
(C. B. Cottrell, 26th October 1953) (Q allotype) ; Seweweekspoort (G. van Son,
November 1940) (2 gd); Constable, north of Touws River (South African
Museum, December 1962) (3 gg and 1 2 on reddish flowers of a species of
Mesembryanthemum); western Cape mountains at Voélvlei between Bains
Kloof and Tulbagh Kloof (November 1948) (1 ¢); Pakhuis Pass near Clan-
william (C. D. Michener, November 1966) (1 9). Northern part of Little
Karoo: Slypsteen Towerwaterkloof in Willowmore district (South African
Museum, October 1938) (1 3).
Afroleptomydas lanipes (Bezz.) n.comb.
Leptomydas lanipes Bezzi, 19245: 207.
A densely-haired species reminiscent of westermanni and rufithorax and which
is unfortunately represented in the collections before me by 3g only, the unique
3 holotype and 2 other gd.
Bezzi has given a diagnostic description of it. It is one of the comparatively
smallish, asilid-like species of which the typical form, as based on the type, shows
the following distinguishing characters:
Body shortish, the abdomen stoutish and tapering, mainly dark and
habitually held with the apical part bent downwards; head, thorax above,
scutellum, metanotum and basal part of abdomen above very dark or blackish;
pleural parts and greater part of abdomen above slightly more dark reddish
brownish, with very slight purplish reflections; antennae, proboscis below,
lower part of humeral tubercles, postalar calli, extreme basal part on sides of
tergite 1 and sides of rest of tergites to a variable extent paler, more yellowish-
or brownish reddish; hind margin of tergite 1 reddish and those of 2—7 yellowish
whitish; bullae orange yellowish; venter yellowish, the hind margins of sternites
yellowish whitish; processes of sternite 9 and lobes of tergite 9 mainly yellowish;
legs mainly reddish brownish, the femora, especially hind ones, and hind tibiae
more yellowish below.
Integument of body above, even on thorax, and anterior upper half of
pleurae shining, the body above with slight, but distinct, violaceous to bluish
green reflections; thorax anteriorly without a submedial patch of dull bloom.
Vestiture well developed, the hairs on head, thorax, pleurae, metanotum,
tergites 1 and 2 and sides of 3, and on venter long, villose and dense; those on
head, humeral tubercles, base of thorax, metanotum, tergites 1 and 2, and on
pleurae more whitish; those on disc of thorax yellowish; shorter hairs on rest of
abdomen above and longer ones on venter pale yellowish whitish; hairs on legs,
especially hind ones, markedly long and dense, villose, those on lower surfaces
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA IOI
of hind tibiae being particularly and conspicuously dense, long and villose,
more so than in most other species, and with all the hairs on legs pale yellowish,
but those on front coxae whitish.
Head with the antennae quite as long as thorax and scutellum; segment 1
thickened, quite 3 times length of 2; segment 3 long and slender, much longer
than club, its apical part scarcely thickened, this latter part nearly a third
length of segment; clubs prominent, pyriform, broadest beyond middle, from
there rapidly and steeply narrowed, more so below, appearing rounded, the
terminal prominence small, much smaller and less protruding than in any of
the preceding species; proboscis nearly as long as antennae, with some longish
whitish hairs basally below; palps a little longer than antennal segment 2,
their apical part slender.
Wings rather sharply pointed apically, hyaline, but with a faint, diffused,
yellowish or yellowish brownish tinge in middle region; veins reddish; first
posterior cell apically very broadly touching margin; apex of discoidal cell
stalked; knobs of halteres brownish above.
Legs with the hind femora distinctly thickened, their double row of spines
below yellowish, beginning near base on outer side, on inner side nearer
middle, hind tibiae curved; basal segment of hind tarsi subequal in length to
claw-segment, with dense hairs below.
Hypopygium with the posterior angles of lobes of tergite g rather drawn out
lobe-like; sternite 9 conical, narrowed and rounded apically, somewhat roughly
wrinkled below, their processes, in dorsal view, directed inwards, bluntly
rounded apically, shallowly and broadly hollowed above, in side view (text-fig.
2, top middle), with less than apical half slender, straight.
The two other § specimens, taken on the reddish flowers of a species of
Mesembryanthemum, growing alongside the road between Touws River and
Hottentots Kloof to Ceres, are slightly atypically coloured and may be taken
to represent a slight colour form (if the unique holotype is not merely a faded
specimen). They differ from the type-specimen in having darker legs, of which
the hind femora are more extensively coloured above and all the tibiae are
darker; the abdomen above also darker, more purplish dark brownish or almost
black, rather than dark reddish brownish; a darker venter, not much paler than
abdomen above; the wings distinctly more darkly tinted smoky brownish in
middle parts and the veins darker; and the hairs along lower part of hind
tibiae and to a certain extent on apical half of hind femora darker, more
brownish or blackish brownish.
From 3 g<3, the holotype and 2 other 3, in the South African Museum.
Length of body: about 11-5-14 mm
Length of wing: about 7-5-8-25 mm
Distribution: South-western Cape: Triangle (L. Péringuey, January 1885) ;
Half-way on road between Touws River and Hottentots Kloof on reddish
flowers of a species of Mesembryanthemum (South African Museum, December
1962).
102 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
Afroleptomydas pseudolanipes Beq.
Afroleptomydas pseudolanipes Bequaert, 1963: 23, fig. 6, 3.
A smallish, densely-haired 4 specimen, with relatively shortish, stoutish
abdomen and asilid-like appearance in the collections before me, is I think
another representative or slightly colour-form of the species pseudolanipes
described by Bequaert from South West Africa. It resembles lanipes but differs
from the latter in the following respects:
Body mainly black, without even faint violaceous reflections above; clypeus
also dark; entire humeral tubercles dark and postalar calli also much darker;
pleurae much darker or black; extreme sides only of tergites 1-5 obscurely
paler, more dark reddish brownish, not so conspicuously pale reddish brownish
as in lanipes; hind margin of tergite 2 discally more orange yellowish; bullae
orange yellowish, larger, the space between them less; hind margins of tergites
3—7 more whitish; venter also yellowish, but sternites 6—7 or 8 dark or blackish
brown, and those of sternites on sides also whitish; sternite 9 very dark reddish
brownish; legs with the front and middle femora darker, more castaneous
brownish, only slightly more yellowish below; hind femora much paler, very
pale yellowish or luteous basally and on inner and lower parts, the outer and
upper apical half dark castaneous brownish; tibiae yellowish above and
brownish below, the hind ones more pale reddish behind in basal half.
Integument of body above, of middle anterior half of pleurae and of hind
femora shining, as in lanipes, also without any submedial patch of dull bloom
on thorax anteriorly.
Vestiture as long and as dense as in lanipes, that on tibiae, however, slightly
shorter, and hairs on inner sides of hind tibiae, though as dense and also per-
pendicular to surface, distinctly shorter; all the hairs on front part of body and
base of abdomen, including those on thorax above, entirely snow whitish, not
yellowish on thorax above as in lanipes; short, dense ones discally on tergites
3-5 not yellowish, but fulvous brownish; rest of hairs on abdomen above and
below slightly denser and whitish; those basally and on inner sides of hind
femora and on hind tibiae whitish, only those on outer and apical half above of
hind femora fulvous.
Head with the interocular space on vertex relatively wider; antennae
(damaged in specimen, segments 1 and 2 missing and only segment 3 and club
have been gummed on card), with segment 3 relatively much shorter, though
also longer than inflated pyriform club which is also much rounded apically,
with non-prominent apical prominence; proboscis a little shorter, but still much
longer than vertical length of eye, about 2-6 mm long (quite 3-6 mm in
lanipes), also with some longish whitish hairs basally below.
Wings distinctly less pointed apically, entirely clear hyaline, with a very
faint whitish subopacity, not tinted yellowish in middle; veins yellowish
reddish; first posterior cell apically very much narrower, about or almost
touching costal margin at a point; discoidal cell narrower, longer, though also
stalked; first basal cell also more elongate, narrower; knobs of halteres only
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 103
faintly darker above.
Legs relatively shorter than in lanipes, the hind femora also distinctly
thickened, their double row of spines below yellowish reddish; front and middle
tibiae curved, hind ones more straight than in lanipes, also shorter, rather
markedly short, with much shorter spicules; front tarsi even shorter than in
lanipes, basal segment of hind ones without longish hairs (rest of segments
missing in specimen).
Hypopygium with the lobes of tergite 9 relatively small, equilaterally tri-
angular, much smaller than in lanipes; sternite 9 similar, the processes similar,
but their slender apical part, in side view, much longer, slightly more distinctly
curved upwards apically, the dorsal depression not extending so near apex and
apical part of processes more distinctly or more coarsely punctured.
Length of body: about 12 mm (Bequaert’s specimen given as 13 mm)
Length of wing: about 9 mm
Distribution: Southern South West Africa: Great Karas Mountains
(Museum staff, November 1936); Aus (R. E. Turner, December 1929) (¢ holo-
type described by Bequaert).
Afroleptomydas fasciatus (Wied.) n.comb.
Midas fasciatus Wiedemann, 1828: 243. Wiedemann, 1829: 15, pl. 54, fig. 17.
Cephalocera fasciata Westwood, 1841: 55. Walker, 1854: 374. Loew, 1860: 253. Gerstaecker,
1868: 78
Leptomydas rufithorax Bezzi (nec Wiedemann), in part, 19245: 207. (n.syn.)
Leptomydas nivosus Bezzi (nec Gerstaecker), 19245: 210. (n.syn.)
The true specific identity of the Midas fasciatus s.str. of Wiedemann appears
to be uncertain. Loew’s redescription of this species, which he assigned to
Cephalocera, differs materially from that given by Wiedemann in 1828. Wiede-
mann did not know from what country his specimens came, but Loew states
that the species comes from the Cape and was collected by Tollini. It is possible
that Loew based his diagnosis only on Wiedemann’s short and inadequate
description, and mistook the representatives of quite another species he had
before him for that of Wiedemann. The problem of identity was still more
complicated by Bezzi who obviously misinterpreted both Wiedemann and
Loew’s descriptions and mistook an entirely different species, not belonging
to the genus Afroleptomydas (olim Leptomydas), for fasciatus and which he desig-
nated as the type-species of his new genus Nomoneura, an error in specific
identification on his part which also misled Bequaert in 1938 (343). The position
is thus very confusing. Provisionally I am accepting Loew’s interpretation of
this species which, however, belongs to Afroleptomydas and not Cephalocera, and
though the specimens before me, which show a certain amount of variability, do
not agree in all respects with the redescription of Loew they nevertheless agree
sufficiently to assign them to the same species. Two 33 of this distinctly variable
species were mistaken for nivosus (Gerst.) by Bezzi. The latter species which
Gerstaecker described from a ¢ specimen, however, appears to be only a dark
104 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
form of the 3 of humeralis which Gerstaecker described from a 9 only. Bezzi also
mistook a 2 specimen of this species for the 9 of rufithorax, the true identity of
which at that time was unknown to him. The species fasciatus, as based on the
material before me, is characterized as follows:
Body mainly dark or black, the pleurae and abdomen above in dg, and
especially in 9, tending to be more dark piceous brownish, reddish brownish to
blackish brown, but in some 99 even mainly yellowish; antennae reddish
brownish to blackish brown in 3, sometimes more yellowish in 9, the clubs
mainly paler reddish brownish to orange brownish in 3, mainly orange yellowish
in 9; clypeus dark to reddish brownish in 3, more consistently reddish brownish
to yellowish in 2; proboscis below reddish brownish in 3, more extensively
yellowish or yellowish brownish in 9, humeral tubercles yellowish in both sexes;
sides of thorax above in ¢ either entirely dark or reddish to a variable extent,
broadly reddish or reddish brownish in 9, in some 99 also with two submedial
reddish discal streaks and with the base reddish to a variable extent; hind
margin of scutellum sometimes yellowish in 2; metanotum in 9 reddish on sides,
sometimes greater lateral part reddish, usually dark in g; metapleural and
metasternal parts and sometimes also pteropleural part, especially in 2, broadish
sides of tergite 1 and to a variable extent those of 2-4 and usually extreme sides
of rest of tergites in 3, broadish sides of abdomen in & up to tergite 7 to a variable
extent and greater part of or entire venter yellowish or pale ochreous yellowish;
hind margins of tergites 2-7 in g and 2-6 in 9 conspicuously whitish or ivory
yellowish, broader in 9; hind margin of tergite 1 in 9 usually dark reddish;
bullae conspicuously orange yellowish to reddish, smaller and wider apart in 9;
hind margins of sternites whitish on sides; last abdominal segment in ° reddish-
or yellowish brownish and at least apical half of second last yellowish; hypopy-
gial structures extensively pale yellowish brownish; legs extensively yellowish,
the front and middle coxae, in 3 at least, and upper or upper and inner surfaces
of hind femora, especially in 3, and in 3 sometimes to a lesser extent also upper
surfaces of front and middle ones and sometimes even hinder surfaces of hind
tibiae brownish, the claw-segment of tarsi also darkened to a variable extent.
Integument of middle part of frons, clypeus, middle and anterior upper part
of pleurae, to a certain extent metanotum, and abdomen shining, the aciculate
microsculpture and setiferous puncturation on abdomen above in ¢ render its
abdomen slightly less shining than in 9; thorax above dull, with fine setiferous
puncturation.
Vestiture in 3 on the whole rather longish and dense, longish and dense
also on tergites 1 and 2 and sides of 3, slightly shorter and less dense in 9; hairs
on disc of thorax, though shorter than on head and base of abdomen, still rather
long and dense in both sexes, not consistently arranged in definite streaks; the
hairs mainly snow whitish, but those on disc of thorax and, in 9, sometimes
on vertex also slightly more greyish yellowish to yellowish or in some 99 even
almost rufous; rest of fine and shortish, rather dense, hairs on abdomen above
in 3g, the longish ones even on sides of tergites 4 and 5 and even 6 in 3, and
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 105
longish ones on venter whitish, those on abdomen in 2 much shorter, sparser
and also whitish, but longer and denser, reversed ones on last two segments
more yellowish to fulvous; hairs on legs longish and dense, slightly shorter and
less dense in Q, entirely whitish, though in 2 sometimes with a slight yellowish
sheen.
Head with the antennae distinctly longer than thorax (excluding scutellum) ;
segment I rather shortish, thickened, about 2-3 times length of 2; segment 3
elongate, much longer than club, its apical part slightly thickened; clubs about
+ shorter than segment 3, pyriform; proboscis rather longish and slender,
subequal in length to thorax (excluding scutellum), apparently without any
longish hairs below; palps about as long as or slightly longer than antennal
segment 2, with yellowish hairs apically in 9; post-vertical spines present,
yellowish to yellowish reddish.
Wings faintly, but distinctly, tinted yellowish, more so in middle or anterior
parts, in some 99 distinctly more yellowish brownish, in both sexes with a
distinct whitish subopacity; veins pale yellowish reddish or even pallid; first
posterior cell broadly open on costal margin; apex of discoidal cell shortly
stalked; knobs of halteres brownish above.
Legs with the hind femora distinctly thickened, less so in 9, their double
row of spines below yellowish reddish to reddish; basal segment of hind tarsi
scarcely or only a little or distinctly longer than claw-segment.
Oviscape in 2 with 7 or 8 brownish to reddish brownish spines on a side.
Hypopygium of 3 with the posterior angles of lobes of tergite 9 sharply
angular; sternite 9 conical, narrowed and bluntly rounded apically, transversely
wrinkled basally below, more longitudinally towards apex, its processes, in side
view (cf. text-fig. 2, bottom middle), curved upwards in apical part, rather
sharply pointed apically in dorsal view.
From 4 gg and 7 99 in the South African Museum, 1 ¢ in the University
of Stellenbosch, and 1 9 in the National Museum of Rhodesia.
Length of body: about 14-5-20 mm
Length of wing: about 11-14 mm
Distribution: South-western Cape: Cape Town (December); Rawsonville
(January); Matjiesfontein (November).
As is evident from the description, this species is slightly variable in colora-
tion, in the colour of its vestiture on thorax, and in the intensity of the wing-
infuscation.
It may be easily confused with the other Cape Peninsula species rufithorax
(Wied.) as was done by Bezzi in the case of the 9. The latter species, however,
has reddish or fulvous hairs even on body below, base of abdomen, and on the
legs, has the discal parts of hind margins of the tergites darkened, has more
darkly infused wings, relatively thicker hind femora, etc.
The 2 specimen in the National Museum of Rhodesia is labelled as coming
from Van Stadens Pass in the Eastern Province. This locality label is obviously
wrong, for this species is restricted to the Western Cape Province.
106 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
Afroleptomydas flavirostris (Bezz.) n.comb.
Leptomydas flavirostris Bezzi, 19245: 214.
Two 9° from Hex River in the South African Museum, one of which is
badly damaged, were described under this name by Bezzi. In a footnote a
3 specimen without locality was doubtfully referred by him to this species. A
careful examination of this latter specimen and a comparison of it with ¢¢ of
humeralis Gerst., however, shows that it belongs to an undescribed species in the
humeralis section. The 3 of flavirostris is therefore still unknown. This species
obviously comes in the same category as the western Cape species fasciatus with
yellowish hairs on the thorax and resembles it superficially. Supplementing
Bezzi’s good description of the 9 and comparing the 99 before me with 99 of
fasciatus, the following comments concerning this species may be made:
Body and legs similarly coloured, though with a tendency for abdomen
above to be slightly more pale reddish brownish; the yellowish whitish or
yellowish hind margins of tergites distinctly and conspicuously broader,
becoming more so posteriorly, and those of 6 and 7 occupying quite half of
tergites; bullae much darker, more blackish brownish, dark piceous brownish
to almost black, not wine reddish or orange brownish, and very much nearer
together above, the space between them much less than twice vertical length of
bullae.
Integument of abdomen above slightly less shining, due to slightly coarser
transverse wrinkles.
Vestiture very similar, as long and as dense, also yellowish or fulvous
yellowish on vertex and thorax above, but fine hairs on abdomen, other than
those basally, distinctly longer, more conspicuous, being especially more con-
spicuous on tergites 3 and 4, also rendering these tergites slightly duller and less
shining.
Head with the vertex on each side usually more consistently infused with
reddish to a variable extent; antennae distinctly longer than in fasciatus and,
though a little longer than thorax (excluding scutellum), the latter itself is
slightly longer than that of fasciatus; segment 1 thickened, about 3-3 times
length of 2; segment 3 distinctly much longer and more slender, much longer
than club; the latter also relatively longer, more elongate-pyriform; proboscis
about as long as in fasciatus, but on the whole more slender, shorter than
antennae (not as long as latter as stated by Bezzi) and not always entirely
yellowish as the specific name implies, usually only yellowish below, without
any longish hairs basally below; palps distinct, longer than antennal segment 2.
Wings very similar, with a similar milky whitish subopacity and sometimes
also distinctly tinted yellowish, but, if so, to a slightly lesser extent; venation
similar.
Legs with the hind femora also slightly thickened, their double row of
spines, below reddish; basal segment of hind tarsi longer than claw-segment.
Ovtscape with 7 or 8 spines on a side.
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 107
From 4 929 (original holotype, a paratype, and 2 other 99) in the South
African Museum.
Length of body: about 17-5-20 mm
Length of wing: about 13-14 mm
Distribution: South-western Cape: Hex River near Worcester (L.
Péringuey, December 1883) (holotype); Hex River (L. Péringuey, 1884)
(paratype and 2 99).
Afroleptomydas hirtipes n.sp.
A distinct species with yellowish hair on thorax and very densely-haired
legs which resembles flavirostris and 99 of fasciatus superficially, but unfortunately
represented by the 2 only in the collections before me. The is characterized
as follows:
Body mainly very dark or black, including humeral tubercles, sides of
thorax, metanotum, pteropleural and posterior parts of pleurae and sides of
base of abdomen (parts which in flavirostris and fasciatus are yellowish) ; antennae
very dark blackish reddish; clypeus dark reddish; hind margin of tergite 1 dark
reddish; hind margins of 2—7 fairly broadly yellowish whitish or yellowish, those
on sides of 6 and 7 broader, extending more backwards along lateral margins;
last segment reddish brownish; bullae very elongate vertically, rather narrowish,
black or black anteriorly and reddish brownish in hinder half, separated above
by a space much narrower than vertical length of bullae; venter differing from
that of flavirostris and fasciatus in being mainly black, only last three sternites
mainly, or with much, yellowish, the hind margins of sternites also broadly
yellowish; legs mainly yellowish, the coxae mainly dark reddish brownish, and
with an obscure faintly brownish streak along inner middle part of hind femora.
Integument of middle part of frons, middle part of clypeus, proboscis, hinder
part of thorax above, postalar calli, scutellum, pleurae in part and abdomen
above shining, the latter with slight bluish reflections.
Vestiture with the hairs on head, thorax, pleurae, metanotum and tergites I
and 2 longish, dense, comparatively longer and denser and more villose than in
either of the other two species; hairs on legs markedly dense and long, much
longer than in the other two species or any of the known 99 in this section,
more like those of $3 of long-haired forms; all these longish hairs mainly snow
whitish, but those on vertex and thorax above tinted distinctly greyish, greyish
yellowish to yellowish; rest of whitish hairs on abdomen above, though shorter
than at base, distinctly denser and longer than in flavirostris, those on sides of
tergites 3 and 4 also longer than on rest of tergites; reversed ones on last two
tergites and last three sternites distinctly more yellowish; longish hairs on
venter and dense ones on legs whitish, but those on front parts of coxae some-
times tinted slightly yellowish.
Head with the antennae rather stoutish, longer than thorax (excluding
scutellum) ; segment 1 thickened, about 3, or a little more, times length of 2;
segment 3 rather stoutish, longer than club, thickened in its apical third; club
108 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
distinctly more elongate, more subamphoriform than in flavirostris; clypeus
rather prominent; proboscis rather stoutish, nearly or only a little shorter than
thorax (excluding scutellum), with some longish hairs basally below; palps
distinct, longer than antennal segment 2; postvertical spines present, yellowish.
Wings hyaline, but distinctly tinted yellowish in the middle parts, especially
along veins, without the distinct milky whitish subopacity of flavirostris and
fasciatus; veins yellowish; first posterior cell broadly open apically on costal
margin; apex of discoidal cell stalked; knobs of halteres darkened above.
Legs with the hind femora distinctly thickened, their double row of spines
below yellowish reddish; hind tibiae rather stoutish; basal segment of hind
tarsi distinctly much longer than claw-segment.
Oviscape with 7 or 8 elongate-spatulate, yellowish spines on a side.
From 2 99 (holotype in the South African Museum and paratype in the
Albany Museum).
Length of body: about 18-5-19 mm
Length of wing: about 13-5-14 mm
Distribution: South-western Cape: Hex River near Worcester (January
1884). The paratype in the Albany Museum was wrongly identified both as
Cephalocera longirostris Wied. and Ectyphus pinguis Gerst. with both genera and
species of which it has no connection or resemblance whatever.
Afroleptomydas gigantulus n.sp.
A very large 2 specimen in the South African Museum, from the same
locality as the preceding species /irtipes, is superficially almost indistinguishable
from the latter and may almost be taken as representing only a large form or
variety of hirtipes. It however appears to differ from the latter in the following
respects:
Body very much larger, more or less similarly coloured; hind margin of
tergite 1 dark like the rest of surface; those of tergites 2—-7 relatively broader,
more ring-like yellowish whitish; last tergite more ochreous yellowish, and last
sternite yellowish, not reddish brownish; spines on oviscape more brownish.
Vestiture as long and as dense and similarly coloured, though apparently
slightly denser on abdomen and legs.
Head with the antennae relatively longer; segment 3 proportionally longer
as 1°22:1, and club also relatively longer, quite 3 times combined length of
segments 1 and 2; proboscis slightly longer, about 4-52 mm, without any long
hairs basally below, its labella with slightly coarser striae and microsculpture,
Wings similarly tinted faintly yellowish in middle parts; apical stalk of
discoidal cell, however, very much shorter, the cell almost meeting third
posterior cell at a point.
Legs similar, but hind femora in addition to double row of spines below
also has a few distinct spines in pairs on their outer upper middle aspect (not
found in any other of the known species of Afroleptomydas); hind tibiae with
distinctly more numerous, longer and stouter spicules on outer lower apical
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 109
part, and with distinctly more, about 8, spicules in the subapical circlet.
Length of body: about 25 mm
Length of wing: about 16-5 mm
Distribution: South-western Cape: Hex River near Worcester (January
1884).
Afroleptomydas villosus n.sp.
A single 3 specimen from Rawsonville in the collections before me may
eventually prove to be the ¢ of hirtzpes, but as it appears to differ in certain
non-sexual respects from the 2 of hirtipes it is provisionally referred to a separate
species which differs from the latter in the following respects:
Body with the humeral tubercles yellowish, not dark; posterior episternal
and metasternal parts and extensive anterior basal part of tergite 1 yellowish;
hind margins of tergites 2-7 yellowish whitish, those of 5-7 being slightly mar-
gined with orange across basal parts; bullae as in hirtipes and gigantulus; venter
entirely yellowish and broadish whitish hind margins of sternites less broad and,
contrary to those of hzrtipes, dark in middle; hind femora more distinctly and
more broadly and extensively darkened along their inner upper and apical
parts above.
Vestiture markedly dense and longish, denser and more villose than in
preceding two species, the hairs on abdomen markedly dense and long, even
much denser and longer than in $¢g of many other species, those on sides of
tergites 3 and 4 also dense and longish, more so than in ¢¢ of fasciatus and
related species; rest of snow whitish hairs on abdomen above also markedly
dense and longer than in any of the J in this section; hairs on venter denser
and longer than in @ hirtipes and even in other 34 in this section, tinted slightly
more yellowish posteriorly and on lower parts of hypopygium; hairs on vertex
and thorax above faintly yellowish; hairs on legs characteristically dense and
long, denser and longer, more villose than in most ¢¢ of this section.
Head with the antennae unfortunately missing in the specimen; proboscis
rather stoutish, about 4 mm long, without any longish hairs basally below, the
labella finely striate.
Wings very faintly tinted yellowish; veins yellowish in anterior part.
Legs with the hind tibiae rather markedly stoutish.
Hypopygium with the lobes of tergite 9 less sharply pointed than in fasciatus ;
sternite 9 broader than in latter species, less conically narrowed in apical half,
with longer and denser hairs below, their prongs relatively shorter, in profile
(text-fig. 2, top right), less slender in apical part, and with rather dense and
longish bristly hairs below.
The unique type in the South African Museum.
Length of body: about 18 mm
Length of wing: about 13 mm
Distribution: South-western Cape: Rawsonville (J. J. S. le Roux, December
1943).
Ito ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
Afroleptomydas anthophilus n.sp.
This species of which all the specimens, but two, were collected on the
reddish flowers of a species of Mesembryanthemum also belongs to the fasciatus
subsection and is characterized as follows:
Body mainly dark or black; antennae dark or blackish, segment 2 and
sometimes apex of 1 tending to be reddish to a variable extent, the clubs orange
reddish, their sensory area in apical half, however, darkened; clypeus mainly or
entirely dark; proboscis reddish brownish below; humeral tubercles and entire
pleurae dark or blackish; hind margins of tergites 2~—7 in both sexes distinctly
yellowish whitish or yellowish, more conspicuously so in Q, the sides of margins
broadened; tergite 1 usually entirely black on sides, but in a slight colour form
is yellowish anteriorly and posteriorly, and rest of tergites usually yellowish on
sides to a variable extent, especially in apical half, blending with the broadened
sides of yellowish whitish hind margins; last tergite in 2 mainly yellowish
brownish; bullae shining black, sometimes with the narrow anterior margin
more yellowish, smaller in 9 and, in 3, usually closer together discally; venter
mainly yellowish or yellowish brownish in Q, but in ¢ often darkened in apical
half or with bases or basal halves of sternites darkened to a variable extent; hind
margins of sternites broadly whitish to yellowish whitish, more so in 9; male
genital structures mainly yellowish; legs mainly yellowish, but front and middle
femora with a dark streak above and hind ones darkened or blackened to a
variable extent along upper and inner parts except in basal part, and the hind
coxae yellowish below in apical part.
Integument of middle part of frons, the clypeus, proboscis, abdomen above
shining in both sexes, the abdomen more so in Q, that of thorax above and
metanotum dull; pleurae slightly duller, more sub-shining than in most other
species of this section, due to slightly more evident greyish tomentum.
Vestiture fairly dense and longish, the hairs on sides of tergites 1, 2 and 3 in
both sexes, to a lesser extent also on 4 in 3, longish, but longer in g; hairs on
hind femora rather dense, with longish ones in basal half and along inner side,
with longish ones also along lower inner side of hind tibiae; the hairs on vertex,
disc of thorax (not in distinct streaks), metanotum, and tuft above posterior
pleural spiracle buff-coloured, yellowish or even fulvous yellowish to a variable
extent, the tuft at base of thorax above, however, more whitish; rest of hair on
head and body whitish, though the shorter ones on abdomen above and on
hypopygium in ¢ at least often with a slight pale sericeous yellowish tint;
reversed hairs on last two abdominal segments in 9 rather sparse, more yellowish
brownish like those on genital segment; hairs on legs mainly whitish, though
shortish ones on front and middle tibiae appear more faintly yellowish in certain
lights.
Head with the antennae distinctly shorter than thorax (excluding
scutellum), about 3-5—3:96 mm long; segment 1 about 2-5-3 times length of 2;
segment 3 distinctly longer than club, distinctly thickened apically; club, in side
view, almost spindle-shaped, the middle more rapidly broadened below,
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA III
broadest at about or a little beyond, its base narrowly constricted, the sensory
area large, occupying most of apical half below; proboscis about 3:28-4 mm
long, almost subequal in length to antennae, with some longish hairs sometimes
evident basally below; palps distinct, slightly longer than antennal segment 2.
Wings greyish hyaline in ¢ and with a slight milky whitish tint, distinctly
tinted faintly yellowish brownish in Q, especially in middle parts, and slightly
darker around basal cross-vein and basal appendix of second submarginal cell ;
veins with the costal, basal parts of 2, 3 and 4, and sometimes the fifth, pale
reddish yellowish, the rest darker brownish; first posterior cell sometimes tending
to be only narrowly open apically, in one specimen even narrowly subtending
on costal margin; apex of discoidal cell shortly stalked; knobs of halteres
darkened or blackish above.
Legs with the hind femora distinctly subclavately thickened in both sexes,
their double row of spines below rather stoutish, yellowish to yellowish brownish,
beginning near base and situated on rather prominent tubercles; spicules on
tibiae well developed, those on hind ones rather numerous along outer apical
half, and hind tibiae slightly curved forwards near apex; basal segment of
hind tarsi longer than claw-segment.
Oviscape in 2 with about 9 brownish spines on a side.
Hypopygium of 3 with the lobes of tergite 9 triangular, the posterior angle
rather sharply acute and slightly produced; sternite g bluntly conical, its
processes, in side view (text-fig. 2, middle right), slightly S-curved, gradually
narrowed apically, in dorsal view rather broadish, bluntly pointed apically;
phallic tubes rather sharply pointed apically.
From 10 gg and 3 99 in the South African Museum.
Length of body: about 18-22-5 mm
Length of wing: about 12-16 mm
Distribution: South-western Cape: half-way between Touws River and
Hottentots Kloof (South African Museum, December 1962) (¢ holotype,
2 allotype, 7g and 2 9 paratypes); 18 miles south east of Touws River (C. D.
Michener, 12th November, 1966) (1 3 paratype). Southern Koup: Laingsburg
(R. Lightfoot, November 1910) (1 3 paratype).
The ¢ paratype from Laingsburg appears to represent a slight northern
colour form, differing from the typical gg in having the abdomen above
slightly more dark castaneous brownish than blackish; sides of tergite 1 dis-
tinctly yellowish anteriorly and posteriorly, and extreme sides of the other
tergites slightly more extensively yellowish; venter mainly yellowish; and hind
coxae more extensively yellowish below.
From fasciatus (Wied.) this species may at once be distinguished by the dark
humeral tubercles, dark sides of thorax, entirely dark pleurae, black bullae,
less extensive yellowish on sides of abdomen, and denser and longer hairs on legs.
From 99 of hirtipes and gigantulus the 9 may at once be distinguished by the
comparatively much shorter antennae of which segment 3 is not longer (usually
shorter) than interocular space on vertex, and the shorter, more orange yellow-
ee? ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
ish clubs; more extensively yellowish venter; and more extensively darkened
hind femora.
Afroleptomydas occidentalis n.sp.
A unique ¢ specimen in the South African Museum, from the south-
western coastal region, appears to be a new species which shows some resem-
blance to fasciatus, villosus and related forms.
It is characterized as follows:
Body mainly black; antennae black, but clubs showing dark reddish
brownish across broadened middle part; proboscis black, tinted slightly reddish
brownish along ventral part; clypeus black; humeral tubercles yellowish
brownish, the sides of thorax above however entirely black; postalar calli very
dark reddish black; metanotum entirely black; metapleural parts in front of
and below halteres, sides of tergite 1, metasternal part and hind coxae reddish
brownish; sides of tergites 2-7 yellowish brownish, more or less intra-
marginally so, those of 5~7 more broadened postero-laterally; segment 8 and
hypopygial structures, as well as entire venter, also yellowish brownish; bullae
elongate vertically, narrowish, very dark reddish blackish or piceous, narrowly
separated above; hind margins of tergites 2-7 whitish, broadened on sides,
especially across 2 and 3, those of 4—7 only narrowish whitish discally, bounded
and encroached upon by yellowish on sides; extreme sides of hind margins of
sternites also whitish, those of 5 and 6 obscurely extending to middle; legs
almost entirely yellowish brownish, only front and middle coxae and a streak
along inner surface of apical halves of hind femora and extreme upper articula-
ting bases of hind tibiae dark or blackish.
Integument of central frontal ridge, clypeus, head below, proboscis, greater
part of pleurae, postalar calli, scutellum, tergites 1 and 2, bullae and basal
parts of 3 and 4 highly shining; integument of thorax above, under the hairs,
subshining; metanotum also subshining to a certain extent; rest of tergites 4—7
and rest of sternites also shining to a certain extent; legs also shining; abdomen
with fairly dense setiferous puncturation, slightly less dense on tergites 1 and 2,
those on rest of tergites in distinct fine cross striae, more evident and denser in
hind halves where the integument also appears slightly less shiny.
Vestiture slightly less dense than in fasciatus, very much less so than in
villosus; hairs on vertex, sides of frons, antennal segment 1, upper part of
clypeus, fairly dense ones on thorax above, on metapleural part in front of
halteres yellowish; those on sides of face and clypeus, on head below, propleural
part, extreme base of thorax above, postalar calli, scutellum, metanotum,
longish and dense ones on sides of tergites 1 and 2, slightly shorter ones on sides
posteriorly of 3—5, less dense or sparser ones on sternites (becoming progressively
shorter posteriorly), those on metasternal part, and to a certain extent on hind
coxae, whitish to snow. whitish; shortish, decumbent hairs on discal parts of
tergites 2-7 appearing more greyish yellowish or sericeous yellowish in certain
lights; those on hypopygium not very dense or long, gleaming more sericeous
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 113
yellowish; hairs on legs not very long, but fairly dense, with longish ones only
on coxae, but especially along inner surfaces of hind tibiae, and some sparse
ones along inner faces of hind femora, with all these hairs, as well as the shortish
dense ones on legs, appearing whitish in certain lights, but gleaming slightly
more sericeous yellowish in others; hairs on front and middle coxae and
posteriorly on hind coxae gleaming more fulvous; spines and spicules on legs
yellowish reddish; tomentum on head greyish whitish; that in 4 faint longitudi-
nal streaks on thorax above greyish; that on propleural, pteropleural and meta-
pleural parts sparse, greyish whitish.
Head with the interocular space on vertex wider than that on head below;
antennae subequal in length to thorax (excluding scutellum); segment 1
thickened, about 2-5 times length of 2; segment 3 longer than club, thickened
segment-like in a little more than apical third, slightly longer than interocular
space; club pyriform, broadest a little beyond middle (above) and at about
middle (below) in side view, very slightly constricted basally, its sensory area
large, occupying about apical half on lower aspect; proboscis stoutish, subequal
in length to vertical length of eyes, about 2-8 mm long; palps distinct, quite as
long as second antennal segment.
Wings clear hyaline, but with a scarcely perceptible yellowish tinge across
basal parts of marginal and first submarginal cells to base of third posterior cell;
apex of first submarginal cell narrower than that of second submarginal; first
posterior cell broadly open apically on costal margin; discoidal cell shortly
stalked apically; third posterior cell sausage-shaped, almost equally narrowed
apically and basally; knobs of halteres darkened. °
Legs with the hind femora clavately thickened, their double row of spines
below on tubercles and the outer row beginning nearer base and also with more
spines; spicules on tibiae well developed, those on hind ones stouter; basal
segment of hind tarsi subequal in length to claw-segment.
Hypopygium similar to that of fasciatus, with the lobes of tergite 9g however
rather narrowly produced tongue-like apically; sternite 9 more bluntly or
truncately rounded apically than in fasciatus, its processes, in side view, more
slightly S-curved, the slender apical part slightly upcurved, more gradually
slender for a longer distance; aedeagal apparatus relatively shorter, the phallic
tubes and epimere relatively shorter, the latter less rapidly broadened apically
and projecting less beyond phallic tubes.
Length of body: about 20 mm
Length of wing: about 12 mm
Distribution: Western coastal region: Velddrif on the coast at the mouth of
the Berg River (C. D. Michener, 5th November 1966).
Apart from the few differences already mentioned, this 3 differs from 3g of
fasciatus in the more shiny integument under the hairs on the thorax, the
distinctly yellowish hairs on thorax above, entirely yellowish brownish legs,
with much shorter hairs on the femora, darker bullae, shorter and stouter
proboscis, not slightly milky whitish wings, etc.
114 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
From villosus it may at once be distinguished by the distinctly less dense and
not villose vestiture.
From anthophilus, which it also resembles superficially, it differs in having
yellowish humeral tubercles, more yellowish metapleural parts and sides of
abdomen, and in having no dense longish hairs on femora.
The proportionally shorter antennae, longer proboscis, yellowish hairs on
thorax above, shorter hairs on abdomen, absence of longish hairs on sides of
tergite 3, darker bullae, more extensive yellowish on sides of tergites 3-7, etc.,
distinguish it from capensis. ;
Afroleptomydas gessi n.sp.
Another new species with yellowish hair on thorax above which resembles
and comes in the same category of fasciatus and anthophilus, and which may be
looked upon as the near Eastern Province coastal representative of fasciatus.
It agrees with and differs from the latter in the following respects:
Body more consistently mainly very dark blackish brown to black; antennae
mainly black, only the clubs dark reddish apically in 3, paler orange reddish in
Q, though not so livid as in 2 fasciatus; clypeus entirely dark or castaneous
brownish in both sexes; humeral tubercles and postalar calliin 3 entirely dark,
the apex and outer hind margin of humeral tubercles and postalar calli in 9
obscurely reddish or reddish brownish; sides of thorax in both sexes entirely
dark, without any reddish; metanotum black in both sexes; only posterior
metapleural and metasternal parts in 3 and, in 9 sometimes also metapleural
part in front of halteres, yellowish brownish or reddish brownish, and on abdo-
men only basal lateral part of tergite 1 yellowish in both sexes, not on sides of
most tergites as in fasciatus; hind margins of tergites 2-7 in ¢ and 2-6 in 9 also
whitish or ivory yellowish, broader in Q; hind margin of tergite 1 black in both
sexes; bullae mainly shining black, sometimes, however, deeply dark reddish,
more narrowly separated above in both sexes than in fasciatus; venter mainly
reddish brownish, the hind margins of sternites whitish on sides, darker medially;
outer part of lobes of tergite 9, processes of sternite g and sternite g itself in
3 reddish brownish; last abdominal segment in Q either reddish brownish or
with much reddish brownish on sides, and tergite 7 yellowish in apical half or at
least broadly so across apical part; legs usually more yellowish brownish than
yellowish, the front and middle coxae dark or black in both sexes, the upper
surfaces of front and middle femora to a variable extent, especially in J, and toa
variable extent upper and inner and outer apical halves or more of hind ones
in both sexes, as well as a streak on outer and inner apical half of hind tibiae,
especially in g, dark blackish brown to almost black.
Integument of middle part of frons, clypeus, postalar calli, scutellum,
anterior middle parts of pleurae and abdomen above in both sexes even more
brilliantly shining than in fasciatus.
Vestiture with the hairs as long and dense as in fasciatus, the long ones also
mainly whitish, but those on vertex and thorax above in both sexes greyish
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA I1l5
yellowish to yellowish or in 2 sometimes even more fulvous, the hairs on anten-
nae, frons, upper part of clypeus in 2 sometimes also more greyish yellowish
than white; fine and shorter ones on abdomen of ¢ whitish; reversed hairs on
last two abdominal segments and last three sternites in 2 yellowish or golden,
the rest also whitish; hairs on coxae, especially front faces, yellowish to golden,
more so in Q; rest of hairs on legs whitish, but those on outer sides of hind femora
and on tibiae in both sexes gleaming slightly yellowish, more golden in 9,
where most of the shortish ones on front and middle femora also appear more
golden.
Head with the antennae subequal in length to or a little longer than thorax
(excluding scutellum) ; segment 1 thickened, about 3 times length of 2; segment
3 elongate, slender, longer than club, a little less than its apical third thickened
segment-like; club pyriform like that of fasciatus; clypeus distinctly larger, more
convex; proboscis relatively long, nearly, subequal in length to, or sometimes
as long as, antennae, relatively stouter than in fasciatus, without any longish
hairs below; palps relatively well developed, finger-shaped, quite twice, or even
a little more, length of antennal segment 2; postvertical spines present, yellowish.
Wings distinctly more infuscated than in fasciatus, more uniformly so,
more reddish brownish, more diffusedly so along veins in middle parts, becom-
ing clearer in basal part and along hinder border, without a whitish subopacity ;
veins slightly darker, more reddish brownish; first posterior cell also broadly
open apically and apex of discoidal cell also stalked; knobs of halteres darkened
above.
Legs with the hind femora distinctly thickened, slightly less so than in
fasciatus and in ° than in J, their double row of spines below reddish; hind tibiae
slightly curved; basal segment of hind tarsi distinctly longer than claw-segment,
proportionally longer than in fasczatus.
Oviscape in 2 with 7-9 brownish or reddish brownish spines on a side.
Hypopygium of 3 with the acute posterior angles of lobes of tergite 9 slightly
more prolonged lobe-like than in fasciatus; sternite 9 and its structures (cf.
text-fig. 2, bottom right) very similar.
From 4 3g and 3 99 (types and paratypes in the South African Museum
and 1 2 paratype in the Transvaal Museum).
Length of body: about 16—-18-5 mm
Length of wing: about 11-13 mm
Distribution : Southern Cape: Coastal region at the mouth of the Great Brak
River near Mossel Bay (South African Museum, February 1960) (¢ holotype,
2 allotype and 4 paratypes); Great Brak River (George) (Dr. Brauns, January
1920) (1 2 paratype).
This species is named after Mr. F. W. Gess of the Entomology Depart-
ment of the South African Museum who caught the first specimen on. the
Museum’s expedition to the Eastern Province in 1960.
116 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
Afroleptomydas fiavitibialis n.sp.
An easily recognizable hairy and shiny species, with yellowish or fulvous
hairs on the thorax and pale yellowish or fulvous tibiae, which also comes in the
fasciatus group and which is characterized as follows:
Body almost entirely black; antennae mainly black or blackish reddish in
3, more dark reddish in Q, the clubs in both sexes mainly very dark reddish or
blackish red; clypeus very dark reddish brownish, darker or even black in ¢;
proboscis black, but slightly dark reddish brownish below in 2; humeral
tubercles and thorax above black, the postalar‘calli in 9 very dark reddish
brownish, darker or black in 3; pleurae black, but sometimes infused slightly
more with dark reddish brownish, especially in 2; abdomen mainly black in
both sexes, the last segment in 9 dark reddish brownish or reddish; hind margins
of tergites 2-7 yellowish whitish in 3, more yellowish in Q, slightly broader in 9
or more so across 6 and 7, bordered basally in both sexes with faint orange, and
in both sexes broader on sides than discally, and on 6 and 7, or sometimes 5-7,
usually also extending some distance towards base along lateral margins to a
variable extent, especially in 9; bullae rather elongate vertically, large in both
sexes, though slightly narrower in 9, narrowly separated in both sexes, very dark
blackish brown, dark reddish brownish to even black; venter mainly very dark,
dark blackish brownish or black, the hind margins of sternites 1~7 broadly and
conspicuously whitish or yellowish whitish, sometimes slightly darkened in
middle and usually bordered across their anterior margins with yellowish or
orange yellowish to a variable extent, sometimes fairly extensive, but usually so
on 6 and 7 or even 5-7 to such an extent that at least apical halves or even more
of these sternites are yellowish, and 8 in 3 sometimes also extensively yellowish;
hypopygium of 3 mainly yellowish reddish or yellowish brownish, the processes
of sternite 9 usually being conspicuously yellowish reddish; legs with the femora
dark blackish brownish above, paler and more yellowish below to a variable
extent, with the bases of hind ones and their apices below and all the tibiae and
tarsi conspicuously pale yellowish or luteous.
Integument of middle part of frons, clypeus above, proboscis, head below, to a
certain extent disc of thorax under the vestiture, scutellum, anterior half of
pleurae, to a lesser extent metanotum and entire abdomen shining; integument
of thorax above without distinct or broadish bare streaks, covered with more or
less uniform, minute, somewhat acicular, setiferous puncturation; that of abdo-
men shining in both sexes, in ¢ with fairly dense, fine, transverse striate or acicu-
late, setiferous puncturation, sparser across bases of tergites and apical part of
tergite 2, with even finer and sparser setiferous puncturation in 9, transversely
striate on last four segments, more distinctly and more coarsely so on last two;
venter shining, transversely wrinkled, excepting last sternite in J and 1-4 in 9;
integument of femora also shallowly transversely wrinkled to a variable extent.
Vestiture fairly dense, longish, villose, slightly denser in 3, that on thorax
above also slightly denser and longer in J, not distinctly separated by bare
streaks; hairs on sides of tergites 1 and 2 and sides of 3 denser and longer in 4,
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 117
hairs on rest of abdomen in ¢ fairly dense, corresponding to the setiferous
puncturation, those on sides of tergites longer than discally, in 9 shorter and
sparser, excepting reversed ones on last three segments; hairs on head and body
in both sexes mainly snow whitish, those on vertex and, in Q, also frons and on
disc of thorax in both sexes greyish yellowish, yellowish to fulvous yellowish, the
latter especially in 9, those on abdomen tinted very slightly more greyish
yellowish to pale sericeous yellowish from tergite 4 in ¢ and from disc of 2 in Q,
the reversed ones on last three segments in @ distinctly more fulvous; hairs on
venter longer and denser in 5, mainly whitish, tinted slightly more yellowish in
posterior half in 9; hairs on legs dense and longish in both sexes, mainly whitish,
those above and on sides in apical half of hind femora and to a certain extent on
other femora above tinted more yellowish or fulvous; all the short ones on tibiae
and tarsi, except longish whitish ones on inner sides of hind tibiae, golden
yellowish or fulvous yellowish; spines and spicules on legs yellowish reddish to
fulvous yellowish.
Head with the antennae distinctly much longer than thorax (excluding
scutellum); segment 1 thickened, about 2-5-3 times length of 2; segment 3
stoutish, longer than club, its apical third or less thickened segment-like; clubs
elongate, subspindle-shaped, broadest at about or just beyond middle, then
more rapidly narrowed below, this sensory part with greyish whitish tomentum,
the base of clubs shortly neck-like; proboscis longish, as long as, slightly longer
than, or slightly shorter than, thorax (excluding scutellum), about 4-4-4 mm,
with some longish hairs below near base; palps distinct, lobe-like, relatively
longer in ¢ than in Q, in former quite twice length of antennal segment 2;
postvertical spines present, yellowish.
Wings distinctly tinted yellowish, slightly deeper so in 9, the apical part
and hind border, including hinder half or part of third posterior cell, axillary
and alular lobes and anal cell, clear or clearer and with slightly milky whitish
reflections, the base also clearer; veins yellowish; hind border in apical part
distinctly much narrower than first posterior cell; latter broadly open apically ;
apex of first submarginal cell tending to be narrower than that of second;
apex of discoidal cell shortly stalked; axillary lobe and alula markedly broadish;
halteres brownish, their knobs darker above.
Legs with the hind femora thickened in both sexes, their double row of
spines below rather bluntish and on tubercles and from near base; hind tibiae
with numerous spicules on outer and lower aspect in apical half; basal segment
of hind tarsi much longer than claw-segment.
Genital segment in 2 with tergite 8 rather produced medially, with relatively
shortish vertical carina on last vertical tergite; oviscape with 7 or 8 yellowish
brownish spines on a side; last sternite depressed or grooved centrally.
Aypopygium of 3 with the lobes of tergite 9 angularly or subangularly
pointed, though rounded at apex; sternite 9 conical, more rapidly narrowed
from about middle, transversely wrinkled basally, more longitudinally so
towards apex, covered with fairly dense yellowish or golden hairs, its processes
118 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
(text-fig. 3, top left), in side view, S-curved, the apical half slender, curved up
apically and in dorsal view broadish and with longish hairs on outer side below.
From 8 gg and 1 @ (3 holotype, 2 allotype and 6 ¢ paratypes in the
Transvaal Museum, and 1 g paratype in the South African Museum).
Length of body: about 18-20-5 mm
Length of wing: about 12-14 mm
Distribution: Southern Karoo: Willowmore (Dr. Brauns, 20th December
1923) (types and 6 g paratypes) ; Willowmore (Dr. Brauns, 1st December 1921)
(1 3 paratype).
Afroleptomydas rutilus n.sp.
A handsome, striking, fulvous reddish-haired species which, in its contrast-
ingly whitish-haired base of abdomen and pleurae, resembles omeri superficially,
but which is more closely related to flavitibialis. This species, unfortunately
represented in the collections before me by a unique 3 specimen only, which
was caught on flowers, is characterized as follows:
Body mainly dark or blackish, the antennae, clypeus, proboscis, thorax,
entire pleurae and abdomen above also black; hind margins of tergites 2-7
yellowish; bullae shining black, only narrowly separated above; upper half and
apical part of processes of sternite 9 and the sternite itself dark reddish brownish;
venter mainly dark or black, but hind margins of sternites fairly broadly
yellowish whitish, narrowly interrupted along middle, and hinder marginal
parts of sternites 6 and 7, as well as sides of tergite 8, infused with reddish
brownish; legs reddish brownish, the tibiae and tarsi slightly more yellowish
reddish or reddish, but front and middle femora darkened along their upper
surface and hind ones darkened along their inner face to near base and also
along the upper and outer apical half.
Integument of middle part of frons, clypeus, head below, proboscis, postalar
calli, scutellum and abdomen above shining, the latter with the hind marginal
parts of tergites, however, dulled by greyish tomentum; integument of abdomen
itself finely transversely aciculate punctate, less so across bases of tergites; bare
parts of pleurae somewhat dulled by greyish whitish tomentum, more so than in
most of the other species in this category.
estiture rather dense and long, being dense and villose on hind femora, long
and dense on tergite 1, sides of 2-5 and sternites 1-5, and the shorter hairs on
abdomen above also dense; hair on following parts strikingly fulvous reddish:
on vertex, antennal segments 1 and 2, thorax above, mesopleural tuft in front of
wing-base, some hairs anteriorly on pteropleuron, tuft above posterior thoracic
spiracle, hairs on extreme sides of metanotum, shorter ones on disc of tergites
2-5 and all on rest of tergites and hypopygium, those on sternites 6-9, some
hairs on coxae below, those on front and middle femora and on outer and upper
apical half of hind femora and on entire tibiae and tarsi; rest of hairs on head,
body and hind femora contrastingly snow whitish; spines and spicules on legs
also fulvous reddish.
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 11g
Head with the antennae rather stoutish, longer than thorax (eycluding
scutellum) ; segment 1 thickened, about 3 times length of 2; segment 3 stoutish,
thickened in apical part, longer than club; latter elongate-pyriform, broadest a
little beyond middle below (side view), equally gradually narrowed from
broadest part to base, its sensory area large, extending from broadest part below
to apex, the base slightly shortly constricted; proboscis stoutish, about 4:2 mm
long, with a few longish hairs basally below, its labella rather sharply pointed.
Wings rather broadish, very faintly tinged yellowish brownish, more
evident in middle parts, the hinder part appearing more greyish hyaline; veins
reddish in anterior part, darker, more blackish brownish in hinder half; knobs
of halteres dark blackish brownish above.
Legs rather stoutish, the hind femora thickened, their double row of spines
below beginning near base, situated on distinct tubercles; hind tibiae compara-
tively stoutish, slightly curved, with numerous well-developed spicules; basal
segment of hind tarsi longer than claw-segment.
Hypopygium with the lobes of tergite 9 triangular, angularly pointed
posteriorly; sternite g conically pointed, longitudinally grooved below, its
processes (text-fig. 3, middle left), in side view, S-curved, rather broadish
basally, more rapidly narrowed above from base to the slightly upcurved apical
part, in dorsal view broadish, slightly depressed above, directed inwards,
bluntly pointed, the apex itself bluntly rounded and the upcurved apical part
punctured above in outer apical part.
The ¢ holotype in the South African Museum.
Length of body: about 21 mm
Length of wing: about 14 mm
Distribution: South-western Cape: Matroosberg Station, on whitish flowers
of a species of Mesembryanthemum (South African Museum, December 1962).
From the ¢ of flavitibialis, to which species it is very closely related, this
species may at once be distinguished by the fulvous reddish hairs on thorax
above, part of pleurae, abdomen above and femora which contrast with the
rest of the whitish hairs on head and body; by the slightly duller pleurae,
covered with more extensive greyish whitish tomentum; less extensively
darkened femora; more yellowish reddish tibiae and tarsi; slightly more greyish
yellowish tinted wings; and proportionally shorter and broader processes of
sternite 9, of which the apical part is less slender and slightly less curved up.
Afroleptomydas zinni n.sp.
A rather densely-haired Koup Karoo species with yellowish-thorax, repre-
sented in the collections by a 3 specimen only, which superficially resembles
gesst from the Mossel Bay region very closely and with the ¢ of which it agrees
and differs as follows:
Body with the abdomen rather tapering posteriorly, the body almost
entirely black, even entire venter and greater part of hypopygium very dark
blackish brown or black; processes of sternite 9 reddish; legs, unlike those of
120 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
gessi, also mainly dark, only the extreme apices of femora, the lower apical part
of hind ones, lower surfaces of hind tibiae, apices of the others and lower surfaces
of tarsi more obscurely reddish; hind margins of tergites 2-6 and obscurely
across 7 yellowish whitish, those of 2-4 broadest; hind margins of sternites also
whitish on sides; bullae shining dark reddish brownish, not shining black as in
gessi, in vertical length relatively shorter and distinctly more widely separated
above.
Integument of central part of frons, postalar calli, scutellum, pleural parts and
abdomen above more or less shining, the latter above slightly less so than in
essi.
Vestiture with the hairs on head, thorax, pleurae, metanotum, tergite 1,
on sides of following two tergites and on coxae long and dense as in gessz, but
appearing more villose, those on tergite 1 and coxae, however, distinctly denser
and slightly longer, more villose; those on head white and those on disc of
thorax pale yellowish or greyish yellowish, and those on basal part of abdomen,
on pleurae and coxae also tinted slightly greyish yellowish whitish, not con-
trastingly snow whitish as in gessz, only those on propleural prominence, proster-
nal part and longish ones on basal half of venter more whitish; shorter hairs on
rest of abdomen above slightly denser than in gesst and with a slightly more
greyish yellowish sheen, without such distinct longish ones on sides of tergites
beyond 3 as in gesst; hairs on legs distinctly very much longer, denser,
more villose, those on hind femora and tibiae, especially inner sides of latter,
very long and dense, reminiscent of lanipes, and all hairs on legs tinted slightly
greyish yellowish.
Head with the antennae relatively a little shorter than in gessi, a little
shorter than thorax (excluding scutellum) ; segment 1 thickened, about 3 times
length of 2; segment 3 elongate, longer than club, with a little less than its
apical third thickened segment-like; clubs pyriform, slightly more so than in
gessi, being broader relative to length, more rapidly narrowed to base; proboscis
nearly as long as, or subequal in length to, antennae, its labella arrow-head-
shaped, sharply pointed and rather large; palps a little longer than antennal
segment 2; postvertical spines not distinctly differentiated.
Wings distinctly tinted yellowish brownish as in gessi, more so in middle
parts; veins reddish brownish, paler towards base; other venational characters
as in gessi; knobs of halteres also darkened above.
Legs with the hind femora only very slightly thickened, much less so than
in gesst and most other species with yellowish-haired thorax, their double row of
spines below much fewer, longer, more widely separated and pallid (only about
4 on outer and 8 on inner aspect of left femur and 2 on outer and 2 on inner
aspect of right femur in unique specimen); hind tibiae rather stoutish; basal
segment of hind tarsi only a little longer than claw-segment.
Hypopygium with the lobes of tergite g much shorter than in gess1, though
also sharply angular apically; sternite 9 conical, its apical part or half more
delimited, feebly longitudinally wrinkled below, but basal half smoother and
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA Meat
more shining than in gessi, with distinctly longer and denser hairs, its processes
(text-fig. 3, bottom left) shorter than in gessz, not so S-curved, the apical slender
half in side view almost straight, in dorsal view narrower, blunter and more
rounded apically.
The unique holotype in the South African Museum.
Length of body: about 16-5 mm
Length of wing: about 12 mm
Distribution: Koup Karoo: Merweville in Laingsburg division (H. Zinn,
February 1941).
This species also has some resemblance to lanipes (Bezz.) in the general
shape of the body and the villose vestiture on body and legs, but may at once be
distinguished by the duller integument of thorax, entirely dark or black abdo-
men, much darker (not orange) bullae, much darker and longer legs, much less
thickened hind femora which have fewer, longer, more widely separated spines
below, the relatively longer wings, etc.
Afroleptomydas capensis n.sp.
A 3 specimen from the Cape Peninsula in the collections of the South
African Museum is still another species which, apart from the white hair on the
thorax, resembles the fasczatus of Wiedemann from the same region superficially.
It and the following series of species constitute a sort of subsection of the
westermanni section in which the thorax above is white-haired and not yellowish
or rufous-haired. From fasciatus it differs as follows:
Body with the clypeus more uniformly reddish brownish; the yellowish on
sides basally of tergite 1 less extensive, without any yellowish on extreme sides
of rest of tergites, the sides 2 and 3 being scarcely or only a little paler reddish
brownish or piceous brownish than rest of abdomen above; hind margins of
tergites 2-7 more yellowish whitish than whitish and relatively narrower; bullae
only orange reddish in hinder half, much closer together dorsally, almost
touching; venter less extensively yellowish, sternites 4-7 being on the whole
more darkened; legs similarly coloured, but on the whole less extensively
brownish on hind femora above.
Vestiture with the longish hairs on head, thorax, basal part of abdomen
and legs slightly less dense, especially those on thorax above distinctly less
dense and those on sides shorter; hairs on thorax above entirely snow whitish
like rest of hairs on body and legs.
Head with the antennae distinctly longer, longer than thorax (excluding
scutellum) which itself is relatively longer than in fasciatus; antennal segment 1
thickened, relatively longer, about 3-3 times length of 2; segment 3 elongate,
similar, but distinctly longer than in fasciatus; clubs also relatively longer, less
than a fourth shorter than segment 3; clypeus distinctly larger, more prominent,
more like that of anthophilus; proboscis similar, but labella narrower, more
gradually acuminate apically; palps longer, more slender, much longer than
antennal segment 2.
122 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
Wings relatively a little longer than in fasciatus, otherwise very similar, but
distinctly more hyaline, without the characteristic whitish subopacity of the
latter species.
Legs with the hind femora, though also distinctly thickened, relatively less
so than in fasciatus, at thickest part about as thick as combined length of tarsal
segments 2 and 3 of hind tarsi (much more than this tarsal relationship in
fasciatus).
Hypopygium with sternite 9g not so distinctly or coarsely grooved, more
pointed apically, its processes (side view) (text-fig. 3, top middle), slightly more
S-curved, more bent upwards and blunter apically than in fasciatus.
Length of body: about 16 mm
Length of wing: about 10-5 mm
Distribution: Western Cape: Rondebosch in the Cape Peninsula (L.
Péringuey, 1889).
Afroleptomydas patruelis n.sp.
Leptomydas paganus (2) Bezzi (nec Gerstaecker), 19245: 214. (n.syn.)
Three jg and a Q, with whitish hair on the thorax, which belong to the
same category as capensis and the rest of the westermanni section described in the
following pages are obviously new. The 92 specimen from Stellenbosch was con-
sidered by Bezzi as the undescribed ° of paganus (Gerst.). As the true 99 of this
latter species were collected together with, and also in copulation with, the gg o
paganus (Gerst.) s.str. by the South African Museum expedition to Port Elizabeth
and its environs, the 2 specimen from Stellenbosch, which is specifically
different, cannot possibly be the undescribed 92 of paganus. Without doubt it
belongs to the same species as the three $¢ from the same locality. Another 3
specimen in the Transvaal Museum from the same locality was also wrongly
labelled by Engel as nivosus (Gerst.), a species which is really only the ¢ of
Gerstaecker’s humeralis.
The new species patruelis is characterized as follows:
Body mainly dark or black, but abdomen above and to a certain extent
dark pleural parts more dark piceous brownish than black; apical half of clubs,
thickened apical part of antennal segment 3, and in Q also basal antennal seg-
ments, more dark reddish brownish; clypeus on sides, more extensive in 9,
and proboscis below reddish brownish; humeral tubercles yellowish; sides of
thorax in front of wings and postalar calli in J, entire sides of thorax in 9 as well
as two submedial discal streaks to beyond middle, narrow base of thorax and
narrow hind border of scutellum in 2 reddish; metanotum in J either entirely
dark or with a small pale spot on each side as in capensis, but in 9 infused with
reddish on sides; pteropleural, metapleural, hypopleural and metasternal parts,
as well as sides of tergite 1, yellowish in both sexes as in capensis; venter mainly
yellowish in both sexes; hind margins of tergites 2-8 in gj and 2-6 in 2 whitish
or yellowish whitish, relatively broader than in capensis, more so in 2; processes
of sternite 9 in g¢ reddish brownish and apical half of this sternite yellowish;
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 123
last two abdominal segments in 9, excepting dark lateral edges of tergites,
yellowish brownish, the basal discal part of second last, however, slightly darker
and its broadish hind margin more yellowish; bullae shining black, not reddish
as in capensis, and also a little wider apart; legs mainly yellowish, the anterior
and middle coxae dark and more than apical halves of hind femora above and
on sides in § and above and more or less in apical third on outer sides in 9 dark
to blackish brownish; these femora more extensively darkened than in capensis;
a fainter streak along outer apical part or third of hind tibiae and claw-
segment of tarsi also darkened, more so in ¢.
Integument with the same parts shining as in most of the preceding species,
but that of thorax above in both sexes distinctly more shining than in capensis;
integument of hind margins of tergites 3-8 distinctly broadly dulled by greyish
bloom, not present in capensis.
Vestiture as long as in capenszs, but slightly denser, only a little shorter in 9
than in 4, all these long hairs, even on thorax above, entirely snow whitish;
shorter ones on abdomen above in ¢ and sparse reversed ones on middle parts of
abdomen in 9 whitish, but reversed ones on last two segments in 2 more yellow-
ish; hairs on legs also entirely whitish in both sexes.
Head with the antennae relatively much shorter than in capensis, a little
shorter than thorax (excluding scutellum); segment 1 thickened, about 3-3
times length of 2; segment 3 stoutish, relatively shorter than in capensis, its
apical third thickened; clubs more elongate-pyriform or vase-shaped, shorter
than segment 3; clypeus prominent; proboscis comparatively shorter and
stouter than in capensis, longer than vertical length of eyes, with a few longish
hairs basally below; palps distinct, thumb-shaped, longer than antennal seg-
ment 2.
Wings glassy hyaline; veins reddish, paler in anterior part; first posterior
cell broadly open apically; apex of discoidal cell shortly stalked or meeting
third posterior cell at or almost at a point; knobs of halteres brownish above.
Legs with the hind femora slightly thickened, at thickest part thicker than
combined length of hind tarsal segments 2 and 3, their double row of spines
below yellowish reddish; hind tibiae relatively stoutish, only very little S-curved,
less curved apically than in capensis; basal segment of hind tarsi usually longer
than claw-segment.
Oviscape in 2 with about 7 brownish spines on a side.
Hypopygium of 3 with the posterior angles of lobes of tergite 9 blunter than in
capensis, the lobes themselves shorter; sternite 9 blunter apically, distinctly
coarsely grooved as in fasciatus, its processes, in side view, relatively shorter than
in capensis, with the apical slender part also proportionally shorter, tending to
be less sharply curved upwards, in dorsal view broader, blunter apically.
From 3 gg and 1 2 (3g holotype and @ allotype in the South
African Museum and 2 ¢ paratypes in the Transvaal Museum). |
Length of body: about 14-19°5 mm
Length of wing: about 10-14 mm
124 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
Distribution: South-western Cape: Stellenbosch (L. Péringuey, January
1888) (types and 1 g§ paratype); Stellenbosch (A. de Vries, 17th March 1927)
(1 ¢ paratype).
Afroleptomydas nitidus (Bezz.) n.comb.
Leptomydas nitidus Bezzi, 1924): 209.
This characteristic and slightly variable montane species which may at
once be recognized by its white vestiture, shining integument on body above
and mainly luteous legs is characterized as follows:
Body mainly black; sides of clypeus, pleural parts and abdomen above in
some gd tending to be more blackish brown or dark reddish brownish than
black; antennae very dark brownish, blackish brown, to black, the clubs either
dark in both sexes with only the middle or basal half appearing more dark
reddish or apical two-thirds orange yellowish in some 29; proboscis below dark
reddish brownish; hind margins of tergites 2-5 and sometimes faintly of 6 in ¢
whitish and those of 2-6 in 2 broader ivory yellowish and broader on sides
where the yellowish is sometimes also present on sides of 7 or even broadly on
sides of 6 and 7; extreme sides basally of tergite 1 and sometimes on 2 in Q
sometimes also yellowish to a variable extent; bullae vertically elongate, large,
shining black, space between them in ¢ narrower than their vertical length,
in Y about as wide as, or a little wider than, their vertical length; venter either
mainly yellowish or so to a variable extent, more so in Q, the last sternite in 9,
however, black, in 3 with only apical parts of sternites yellowish, the hind
margins of 1-6 whitish, especially on sides; lower hypopygial structures luteous
or yellowish, but last segment in 9 usually mainly black; legs mainly strikingly
pale yellowish or luteous, only the coxae, especially front and middle ones, in 3
at least, darkened or black, and inner or upper apical halves of hind femora to a
variable extent, especially in 3, and sometimes also upper surfaces of the others,
darkened.
Integument along middle part of frons, entire body above and along middle
parts or upper anterior half of pleurae highly shining, that on disc of thorax also
conspicuously shining under the hair-covering.
Vestiture without an anterior submedial patch of dull greyish white bloom
on each side discally of thorax; the hairs fairly long and dense on front half of
body, not in streaks on thorax above, long also on tergites 1 and 2 and sides of
3 and, in J, also fairly longish on sides of 4 and 5, with all these hairs, as well as
longish ones on venter and coxae, snow whitish; reversed ones on last three
~
abdominal segments in 2 somewhat sparse, sericeous yellowish to yellowish,
those on last two segments sometimes even slightly fulvous; hind margins of
tergites 5-8 in ¢ dull, due to whitish bloom; hairs on legs fairly dense and
longish, more so in 3, mainly white or at least the longer ones white, the shortish
ones on outer sides of hind femora gleaming more yellowish.
Head with the antennae a little longer than thorax (excluding scutellum) ;
segment 1 thickened, about 3-3-3 times length of 2; segment 3 slender, some-
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 125
times appearing stouter in Q, a little more than its apical third slightly thickened,
longer than club; the latter dilated, subpyriform, broadest just beyond middle,
more bulging below, then gradually narrowed, sloping up to terminal promi-
nence, more rapidly and more shortly so on inner side above, the base of club
constricted neck-like; proboscis longer than vertical length of eyes, its labella
rather broad, ovate, and base of proboscis below with some longish white hairs;
palps distinct, longer than antennal segment 2; postvertical spines present.
Wings glassy hyaline in J, in 9 very faintly tinted yellowish in middle parts;
veins yellowish reddish, darker in hinder part of wings; first posterior cell
broadly open; second submarginal cell rather narrowish basally; apex of
discoidal cell consistently shortly stalked; knobs of halteres darkened above.
Legs with the hind femora thickened, subspindle-shaped, their double row
of spines below luteous or yellowish, beginning near base; basal segment of hind
tarsi longer than claw-segment.
Oviscape in 2 with 6-8 dark reddish brownish spines on a side.
Hypopygium of 3 with the lobes of tergite 9 sharply angular posteriorly ;
sternite 9 conically narrowed and rounded apically, its surface grooved to apex,
its processes, in side view, S-curved along their upper margins, bent downwards
and then slightly upwards, rather deeply grooved above to near apex in dorsal
view.
From several gg and 99, including the types, in the South African
Museum.
Length of body: about 15-5-18-5 mm
Length of wing: about 10-14 mm
Distribution: South-western Cape: Matroosberg (alt. 3,500-4,000 ft) in
the Ceres division (Lightfoot, January 1917) (types); Upper sources of the
Olifants River in the Ceres division (Museum Expedition, December 1949).
Afroleptomydas nitens Beq.
Afroleptomydas nitens Bequaert, 1963: 20, fig. 5B.
Described by Bequaert from a single 2 specimen collected by the late
Mr. R. Turner at Ceres, but not represented in any of the collections submitted
to me. According to the description it is characterized by its pale colour, the
head, body and legs being mainly pale brownish or yellowish brownish; its
shining integument, including that of the thorax above; the rather broadish
yellowish hind margins of tergites 2-7; the large shining blackish bullae; its
entirely whitish vestiture, which on thorax above is not arranged in distinct
streaks; and its rather shortish and uniformly yellowish brownish tinted wings.
It appears to be nearest to the 2 of nztzdus (Bezz.) which also occurs in the
same geographical region, but, according to the description, it differs from the
latter in having almost the entire head and body paler, more pale yellowish
brownish, relatively shorter wings in relation to body-length, and a relatively
stouter and more bluntly pointed proboscis, with relatively shorter labella. As
126 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
nitidus, however, appears to be a slightly variable species, with at least one known
slight colour form from the upper sources of the Olifants River near Ceres, it is
quite possible that nitens may prove to be only another paler colour form of
Bezzi’s species.
In colour it appears to resemble flavirostris (Bezz.) which is also almost
entirely pale yellowish brownish, but in the latter the antennae are longer, the
proboscis is longer, the hairs on vertex and thorax above are yellowish or
fulvous, and the hind femora have apparently less dense, or fewer, long hairs
along outer basal part.
Length of body: about 17 mm
Length of wing: about 9-6 mm
Afroleptomydas sorbens n.sp.
Two ¢ specimens, caught on the reddish flowers of a species of Mesembryan-
themum near the railway station Constable by members of the South African
Museum, resemble the $¢ of nztzdus so closely that they may even be considered
as representing only a slight northern geographical variety of the latter. Distinct
differences in the shape of the processes of sternite 9, however, appear to exclude
them specifically from nitzdus, from the latter of which they differ in the following
respects:
Body and legs with the front and middle femora more extensively darkened
above, with a rather conspicuous black streak from base to near apex; hind
femora distinctly more extensively darkened above, the black extending also
along upper outer and upper inner apical half; hind coxae entirely dark or
blackish; hind margins of tergites 2-7 in one specimen whitish, but in the other
specimen only distinctly so on 2-5 (evidently hidden under greyish tomentum
across the rest) ; venter on the whole darker, more darkened, or at least with less
extensive yellowish.
Vestiture with the hairs on abdomen at least appearing distinctly denser.
Wings not entirely clear hyaline, but with a very feeble and scarcely
perceptible brownish tinge in middle parts, more evident in apical part of first
basal cell and around basal cross-veins of first posterior cell.
Hypopygium with the lobes of tergite g relatively longer and larger; processes
of sternite g distinctly longer, in side view appearing distinctly more slender,
being more gradually and continuously narrowed from base to apex, the apical
upcurved part not so distinctly delimited as in nitidus, and the processes in
ventral view slightly more gradually narrowed to apex.
Holotype and paratype in the South African Museum.
Length of body: about 17-18-3 mm
Length of wing: about 11-75-12 mm
Distribution: South-western Cape: Constable, about 17 miles north-east
of Touws River (South African Museum, December 1962).
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 127
Afroleptomydas similimus n.sp.
Another two ¢ specimens in the collections before me also very closely
resemble the species nzizdus and may almost be considered as only representing
a variety of it. As there are, however, slight, but distinct differences and also a
slight difference in the shape of the processes of the ninth sternite, they are
referred to a separate species which differs from the ¢ of nitidus in the following
respects:
Body also mainly black, similarly coloured, with most of the integument,
as well as that of thorax above, similarly shining; humeral tubercles, however,
not entirely black, but obscurely yellowish along outer surface, though also
densely covered with greyish tomentum; metapleural part just behind and
below halteres and sometimes also pteropleural part yellowish, not dark; sides
basally of tergite 1 yellowish, not dark or black as in natidus; hind margins of
tergites 2—7 (not 2-6 only) slightly more broadly whitish; hypopygial structures
mainly dark or blackish, only apices of processes of sternite 9 yellowish reddish
or reddish; hind margins of sternites 1-7 more broadly whitish, tending to be
more broadly interrupted in the middle; coxae, especially hind ones, either
entirely black or with less dark reddish or reddish towards their apices; the
luteous or yellowish legs with more extensive or more intense black on femora
above, the hind ones especially more extensively darkened or black along almost
entire upper surfaces and more than half outer and inner surfaces, and hind
tibiae not entirely yellowish, on the whole darker or much darkened or blackish
along outer surfaces apically or in apical part or along inner surface, and claw-
segment of tarsi also much darkened or black.
Vestiture very similar, also entirely snow whitish, but shortish hairs discally
from tergite 4 relatively denser.
Head with the antennae slightly shorter, shorter than, or subequal in length
to thorax (excluding scutellum); segment 1 thickened, about 2-6 times length
of 2; segment 3 proportionally slightly shorter than in nitidus, slightly less than
its apical third thickened; clubs similarly shaped and about as long; proboscis
distinctly shorter, only about 2-6—2-76 mm (at least 3 mm in nitidus), also with
some longish hairs basally below; palps minute, shorter than in nitidus, distinctly
shorter than antennal segment 2.
Wings as in nitidus, though very faintly, but distinctly, tinged more greyish
yellowish, not so clear hyaline as in nitidus; veins slightly darker; base of first
posterior cell tending to be distinctly broader and apex of this cell slightly more
narrowly open; appendix at base of second submarginal cell shorter.
Legs as in nitidus, the hind femora thickened to the same extent, similarly
spined below.
Aypopygium with sternite g distinctly more sharply conical, its apex verti-
cally carinate or subcarinate, not so bluntly rounded as in nzitidus, its processes
in side view slightly, but distinctly, longer, slightly more slender, with a slightly
longer apical slender part which is less curved upwards, in dorsal view slightly
less rapidly narrowed apically, the bluntly rounded apex slightly broader;
128 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
dorsal epimere of aedeagal apparatus projecting less, being shorter beyond the
two phallic tubes, distinctly less than the length of a tube (about as far as tube-
length in nztzdus).
Holotype in the South African Museum and paratype in the National
Museum of Rhodesia in Bulawayo.
Length of body: about 16-3-17-5 mm
Length of wing: about 11-12 mm
Distribution: Western Cape: Perdeberg near Malmesbury (C. Thorn,
February 1961) (holotype); Malmesbury (January 1947) (paratype).
Afroleptomydas nitidusculus n.sp.
Another montane species with the integument above also mainly shining,
but entirely different from both nztzdus and similimus. The only representative,
a g specimen, in the South African Museum, is characterized as follows:
Body mainly black, the antennae, proboscis below and abdomen in hinder
half slightly more dark piceous or blackish brown than black; clypeus and
humeral tubercles dark; postalar calli slightly dark reddish brownish; hind
margins of tergites 2-5, and to a narrower and more obscure extent also 6 and 7,
yellowish whitish; venter mainly dark reddish brownish, with obscure yellowish
on sides of sternites 2-4 and sides of 7 and 8, the hind margins of 2-5 also
yellowish on sides; bullae dark reddish brownish, the space between them
narrower than vertical length of bullae; hypopygium mainly reddish brownish;
legs with the coxae, femora above and in apical half below and more than apical
two-thirds of hind ones reddish- or castaneous brownish, the bases of front ones,
slightly less than basal third of hind femora, extreme apices of femora and all
the tibiae and tarsi yellowish, the claw-segments, however, slightly more
brownish above.
Integument of middle part of frons, greater part of dorsum of thorax, except-
ing the dull greyish bloom on humeral tubercles and a submedial anterior patch
on each side, the rest of thorax above, abdomen above and below, middle
anterior half of pleurae and to a certain extent metapleural part shining as in
nitidus.
Vestiture fairly dense and longish on head, thorax above, especially on sides,
on metanotum, pleurae, metasternum, tergites 1 and 2 and to a very much lesser
extent sides of 3, and all these hairs snow whitish, excepting the slightly yellowish
ones on antennal segments 1 and 2 above and the slightly faintly yellowish-
tinted postvertical spines and hairs on thorax above; rest of shortish hairs on
abdomen above and longish ones on venter whitish, gleaming slightly sericeous
yellowish in certain lights; hairs on front and middle coxae and posteriorly on
hind ones more fulvous yellowish; hairs on legs not very long, mainly whitish,
but those on outer sides of hind femora and all the tibiae with a slight yellowish
sheen; hind margins of tergites 3-8 with greyish whitish tomentum.
Head with the antennae longer than thorax (excluding scutellum) ; segment 1
thickened, quite 3 times length of 2; segment 3 slender, much longer than club,
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 129
a little less than apical third demarcated segment-like; clubs pyriform, broadest
before middle (side view), from there obliquely narrowed to terminal promi-
nence, their base constricted and extreme base more slender; proboscis longer
than vertical length of eyes, rather stoutish, with some longish whitish hairs
basally below; palps distinct, slightly longer than antennal segment 2.
Fic. 3. Side and dorsal views (all to same scale) of right process of sternite 9 of 3d of:
Afroleptomydas flavitibialis n.sp. (top left). Afroleptomydas capensis n.sp. (top middle). Afroleptomydas
sobrinus n.sp. (top right).
Afroleptomydas rutilus n.sp. (middle left). Afroleptomydas lampronotus n.sp. (middle middle). Afro-
leptomydas campestris n.sp. (middle right).
Afroleptomydas zinni n.sp. (bottom left). Afroleptomydas humeralis (Gerst.) (bottom middle).
Afroleptomydas psammophilus n.sp. (bottom right).
Wings greyish hyaline; veins reddish; apex of first posterior cell broadly
open; apex of discoidal cell shortly stalked; knobs of halteres dark brownish
above.
Legs with the hind femora distinctly thickened, their double row of spines
below yellowish reddish; hind tibiae slightly curved near apex; basal segment
of hind tarsi slightly longer than claw-segment.
130 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
Hypopygium with the posterior angles of lobes of tergite 9 bluntly rounded,
their inner margins together forming a sharp angle; sternite 9 conical, narrowed
and bluntly rounded posteriorly, transversely wrinkled in basal half, then more
longitudinally so to apex, its processes, in side view, gradually narrowed to near
apex, bending first downwards and then upwards, in dorsal view slightly
depressed above along inner aspect, bluntly pointed apically.
The single holotype in the South African Museum.
Length of body: about 15-5 mm
Length of wing: about 10-5 mm
Distribution: Western Cape: Hex River (L. pene January 1888).
This species may prove to be the as yet unknown ¢ of /flavirostris (Bezz.)
from the same locality, but the much darkened legs, dark venter and shorter
and darker proboscis seem to exclude it.
Afroleptomydas lampronotus n.sp.
An easily recognizable shortish species belonging to this section without
bare streaks on the thorax and with the integument of the latter shining as in
nitidus and related forms. It shows sexual dichroism, with 99 which have the
dorsum of the adomen in part orange or ochreous yellowish as in braunsz,
sodalicus, flavidorsalis etc., representatives of the next section. The 99, moreover,
have some superficial resemblance to the asilid Hoplistomerus auriventris which
also occurs in the same region. It is characterized as follows:
Body relatively short, plump, the abdomen not very elongate, cylindrical
in g, less so and broader in Q, in both sexes curving downwards apically;
mainly black or very dark, more so in 3, but pleurae in 9 and sometimes also
dark parts of abdomen in 9, as well as extreme sides of posterior abdominal
segments in 3, more dark or very dark reddish brownish rather than black;
antennae dark brownish, dark reddish brownish to black in 9, blackish in 3,
the basal two-thirds of clubs more dark reddish, the clubs, however, appearing
greyish or greyish whitish, due to fine greyish whitish tomentum; vertex and
frons, as well as clypeus and face in 3g, black, but sides of vertex, sometimes
middle front part of frons, clypeus, sides on head below and sometimes even
sides of face in 2 dark reddish brownish to dark reddish; proboscis reddish
below, darker in 3; humeral tubercles black in 3, only dark reddish below their
bases, in 9 dark reddish as well as the humeral part around them, the tubercles
in both sexes, however, appearing greyish whitish, due to dense greyish tomen-
tum; postalar calli in § very dark reddish, almost black, in 2 more reddish
brownish as well as sides of thorax just above wing-bases and sometimes narrowly
and obscurely so across base in front of scutellum; posterior metapleural and
metasternal parts, as well as extreme sides basally of tergite 1, in 9 paler reddish
brownish; abdomen in 9 orange- or ochreous yellowish above on tergites 2-4
and medially discally on 5 to a variable extent, the sides of these tergites black
except across apical margins; hind margins of tergites 2-7 in g conspicuously
and rather broadly yellowish whitish, narrower on extreme sides, their basal
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA I3I
borders being slightly tinted orange; hind margin of tergite 1 in 2 reddish
brownish or dark reddish, those of 2-6 broadly pale yellowish or yellowish
whitish and also narrower on sides than discally, narrowest across 6; bullae
rather elongate vertically, dark reddish brownish or dark wine red, in 9 slightly
smaller, more widely separated and surrounded by dark; venter in ¢ yellowish
brownish in middle basally and in 9 so up to sternite 4, the rest of venter dark
reddish brownish, and hind margins of sternites 1-7 in ¢ and 1-6 in @ whitish,
usually more so on sides; processes of sternite 9 in 3: brownish; legs with the
femora dark brownish above, paler, more yellowish below, the front and middle
tibiae and bases of hind femora also more yellowish, the hind tibiae brownish,
and all tarsi more brownish, the claw-segments being darker.
Integument with the following parts distinctly shining: vertex, middle part
of frons, clypeus, head below, proboscis, dorsum of thorax and scutellum,
greater part of pleurae (anteriorly and metapleural part behind halteres), to a
slightly lesser extent metanotum, entire abdomen above and below, coxae, and
legs; integument of thorax above covered with minute setiferous punctures
which are separated by 4 indistinct, narrowish, less punctured, slightly less
shining streaks (two along central part and one on each side halfway to noto-
pleural edge) ; integument of abdomen in ¢ fairly densely covered with acicular
or ‘nadelrissig’, setiferous puncturation across base of tergite 2 and across rest
of tergites, reminiscent of that of 3 of lanipes, the setiferous puncturation on
tergite 1 being less transverse; abdomen in @ with dense, minute, setiferous
puncturation across tergite 1 and base of 2 and sides of 3, the rest of surface with
slight transverse striation, more evident laterally, with sparse, fine, setiferous
puncturation, denser on last three tergites, which latter are also coarsely trans-
versely wrinkled; integument of legs, especially femora, appearing transversely
wrinkled apart from the setiferous puncturation.
Vestiture with the hairs rather dense and long in both sexes, only a little
shorter in 9, dense and longish on tergites 1 and 2 and sides of 3, those on
thorax above not arranged in 5 streaks, but much denser and longer on sides;
those on legs, especially hind ones, dense and longish, more so and more villose
in 3, the hind tibiae on inner sides with long and dense hairs, only slightly less
dense in 9; hairs on abdomen in 4, apart from basal ones, fairly dense and long,
in 2 much sparser, slightly longer on sides in both sexes; those on venter long
in both sexes, only much denser in J; the hairs on head and body mainly snow
whitish, but those discally from tergite 2 in ¢ tinted yellowish or pale golden,
becoming paler, more whitish, towards apex, and the hairs on last four seg-
ments in 2 also more yellowish or even yellowish brownish, more so on last
segment; hairs on legs with the shorter ones tinted more yellowish, even darker
on hind femora above and hind tibiae below, but the longer ones more greyish
whitish, those on middle and hind coxae below even more fulvous, especially in
2; greyish whitish tomentum is present on sides of frons and face, antennal
clubs, behind eyes, humeral tubercles, propleurae, and more feebly on pleurae.
Head with the antennae in ¢ distinctly longer than thorax (excluding
132 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
scutellum), in 2 more often a little shorter; segment 1 not much thickened, about
3-2-3-6 times length of 2; segment 3 elongate, with feeble annulations, slightly
thickened apically, distinctly longer than club itself; the latter pyriform, thickest
beyond middle and there about or nearly half as broad as long, inner apical
part sharply and obliquely sloping up to terminal tubercle, the extreme base
constricted neck-like, and the entire surface covered with greyish tomentum,
denser on sensory area; proboscis either a little longer or a little shorter than
thorax, or sometimes even the antennae, about 3-2-3:6 mm, sometimes with a
few longish hairs basally below in 9; palps distinct, longer in § than in 9; some
distinct yellowish postvertical spines present in 9. —
Wings rather markedly arched near base opposite cross-vein in costal cell,
both the alula and axillary lobe rather markedly broad, the wings distinctly
tinted yellowish brownish in middle parts along veins in those parts in both
sexes, though slightly darker in 9, with the base, greater part of costal cell,
basal part or upper basal part of first basal cell before base of third vein, alula,
axillary lobe, at least apical halves of marginal and first submarginal cells,
greater part of or entire second submarginal and first posterior cells and hind
border of wings clear or with a slight milky whitish tint, and to a lesser extent
also middle parts of anal, discoidal, and third posterior cells; veins yellowish
brownish, becoming darker apically and in hinder part; apex of discoidal cell
shortly stalked; hind border of wings slightly narrower than cells; base of costal
margin with some distinct longish hairs; halteres yellowish, their knobs brownish
above.
Legs with the hind femora distinctly thickened in both sexes, their double
row of spines below rather widely separated, long and stoutish, beginning near
base; tibiae curved, the hind ones rather thickened, armed in 9 with strong
spicules in apical part; basal segment of hind tarsi subequal in length to claw-
segment.
Genital segment in Q with last sternite depressed or grooved centrally for
most of its length; last vertical tergite with some coarse punctures near its lower
edge on each side; oviscape with about 7 or 8 yellowish brownish to brownish
spines on a side.
Hypopygium of 3 somewhat enclosed by seventh abdominal segment; lobes
of tergite 9 rather shortish, rather sharply pointed apically, sternite 9 conical,
bluntly rounded apically, with longish hairs on sides and basally below, its
processes in side view (text-fig. 3, middle middle) relatively slender, gradually
narrowed apically, the apical part curved upwards, with some sparse, longish
hairs on apical part along outer margin below, in dorsal view only slightly
narrowed apically, bluntly rounded at apex, shallowly grooved along inner side.
From 1 ¢ and 4 99 (types and paratypes in the Transvaal Museum).
Length of body: about 12°5-15 mm
Length of wing: about 9-11 mm
Distribution: Southern Karoo: Willowmore (Dr. Brauns, 25th December
1920 (¢ holotype); roth December 1903 (@ allotype); December 1908 (2 9
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 133
paratypes) ; December 1912 (1 Q paratype)).
From the ¢ of lanipes, which the ¢ of this species resembles superficially,
it may at once be distinguished by the distinctly less dense hairs on body and
legs, whitish (not yellowish) hairs on thorax above, less pointed and more
infuscated wings, darker bullae, broader whitish hind margins of tergites,
relatively longer, slightly more incrassate hind femora, more slender processes
of sternite 9, shorter phallic tubes, etc.
From the ¢ of pseudolanipes Beq., which it resembles even more closely, it
may be distinguished by the longer antennae and proboscis, darker bullae,
broader whitish hind margins of tergites, infuscated wings, longer and stouter
hind femora which are not so strikingly and extensively luteous basally, and
broader processes of sternite 9.
Afroleptomydas humeralis Group.
This is ‘Group IIT of Bezzi and to it are assigned all those species which are
characterized by the following combination of characters:
Thorax discally above with distinct and conspicuous, delimited, longitudi-
nal, bare streaks between the hairs, the latter usually shorter, less dense, less
uniform, more definitely in streaks and usually with a narrow, central, linear
streak of hairs.
Abdomen above in 3g, and sometimes in 99 also, either or not, or not much,
shining, usually with discal patches or rings of either dull, dark or black, or
greyish whitish, tomentum, or sometimes even mainly or entirely dull.
Pleurae less extensively shining than in the westermannt group, with more
extensive tomentum, or even entirely covered with greyish whitish tomentum
to a variable extent.
Femora with the hind ones usually less thickened, or sometimes not or
scarcely thickened.
The following species are referred to this group:
Afroleptomydas humeralis (Gerst.) n.comb.
Leptomydas humeralis (2) Gerstaecker, 1868: 82, pl. 1, fig. 3. Bezzi, 19245: 211.
Leptomydas nivosus (3) Gerstaecker, 1868: 83. Séguy, 1960: 155. (n.syn.)
A slightly variable species from Namaqualand of which the 99 in the
collections before me agree in essentials with Gerstaecker’s original description
of a 2 specimen from the “Cape of Good Hope’ and which is also identical
specifically with certain $g and 99 identified as humeralis by Bezzi in 1924.
From Gerstaecker’s description of nivosus, based on a single 3 specimen, it is
quite evident that the latter merely represents a dark form of the 3 of humeralis
with which Gerstaecker was not acquainted and which shows some variability
in the colour of the clypeus and the presence or absence of reddish on the sides
of the thorax above. On the other hand the ¢ specimens and a @ specimen in
the South African Museum, identified as nivosus (Gerst.) by Bezzi (19245: 210),
134 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
do not agree with Gerstaecker’s description or with any of the ¢ forms of
humeralis and moreover do not constitute one species. The 2 gg from Cape Town
and Matjiesfontein respectively belong to fasciatus (Wied.) as stated under that
species, and the somewhat damaged 2 from Matjiesfontein is a new species
described farther on in this memoir as simulans. The third 3 from Hex River,
mentioned by Bezzi, is not represented in the collections by a labelled specimen.
It was either not labelled and may represent the new species described in this
paper as nitzdusculus in the westermannt group or it may be one of the other new
forms described by me from Hex River.
The species humeralis, as based on a series of oo and 99, is characterized
as follows:
Body mainly dark or black, the abdomen above and pleural parts, and in 2
sometimes sides of vertex, however, sometimes more castaneous brownish to a
variable extent; antennae reddish brownish to entirely black, the clubs even in
2 mainly dark, though sometimes more dark reddish towards base; clypeus
usually mainly yellowish, but in some 3g sometimes only variably so on sides;
proboscis to a variable extent yellowish brownish below in apical half and below
bases of labella; humeral tubercles yellowish, but sometimes tending to be
darkened in some 4g; sides of thorax above and sometimes also anteriorly on
inner sides of humeral tubercles yellowish reddish or reddish to a variable
extent, but entirely dark in some 33; pteropleural and metapleural parts below
wings and to a variable extent hinder episternal and sternal parts, sides of
tergites 1 and 2 and sides basally of 3, and sometimes extreme sides of 3-5,
yellowish or yellowish brownish; hind margin of tergite 1 sometimes obscurely
brownish or yellowish brownish; hind margins of 2-5 in g and 2-5 (or some-
times also obscurely of 6) in 2 yellowish whitish or whitish, broader and more
conspicuous in Q; bullae orange, orange brownish to brownish, surrounded by a
coarsely transversely-ridged black margin, smaller in 2 than in g, separated
above in ¢ by a space as wide as, or narrower than, vertical length of bullae,
more or very broadly in 9; venter usually mainly dark or castaneous brownish,
the basal part or half sometimes yellowish to a variable extent, the hind margins
of sternites 1-5, or in 2 sometimes also 6, yellowish whitish or whitish on sides;
lower parts of hypopygium and processes of sternite 9 in ¢ with much yellowish
brownish or mainly so; legs mainly yellowish or yellowish brownish, the coxae
and upper faces of femora darkened, more piceous brownish to a variable extent.
Integument of middle parts of vertex and frons, head below, proboscis,
scutellum, anterior middle part of pleurae to a variable extent, mesosternum,
tergites 1 and 2 in both sexes, basal discal parts of tergites 3-6 and to a lesser
extent 7 in ¢ and 3-6 in Q shining or more or less shining; the abdomen in 9,
though not brilliantly shining, more extensively’so than in ¢ where at least
the apical halves discally and usually more than apical halves laterally of
tergites from 3 are dulled by greyish whitish tomentum; integument of abdo-
men in Q finely transversely wrinkled, becoming more coarsely so on last two or
three segments, rendering the abdomen less shining in hinder half.
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 135
Vestiture with the hairs on head, sides of thorax, in a submedial anterior tuft
on each side, on metanotum, pleurae, tergites 1 and 2 in both sexes and also on
sides of 3 in ¢ fairly long and dense, shaggy, slightly less so in 9, entirely snow
whitish; shorter hairs in two conspicuous, broadish, submedial, discal, whitish-
tomented streaks and in a narrow central streak on thorax above also snow
whitish; longish ones basally on venter also whitish; fine hairs on rest of abdo-
men above in ¢ very faintly tinted greyish yellowish or yellowish, and the
reversed ones on last two segments of 9 also tinted slightly more greyish yellowish
to even brownish; hairs on legs fairly long and dense, longer and denser in J,
entirely whitish.
Head with the vertex comparatively broad in both sexes, about or nearly
as broad as thorax anteriorly between inner margins of two humeral
tubercles; antennae rather elongate, slightly longer than thorax (excluding
scutellum) ; segment 1 slightly thickened, especially in 3, about 3 times length of
2; segment 3 elongate, slender, much longer than club (but not twice length of
club as stated by Gerstaecker); club pyriform to elongate-pyriform, more
truncated apically in 9; proboscis rather long, usually a little longer than
thorax, without or with only a few shortish hairs basally below, its labella
ovate, rather large, very finely striated longitudinally; palps distinct, longer
than antennal segment 2; postvertical spines only a few on each side near
middle, whitish or pallid, more distinct in 9.
Wings either entirely clear hyaline in both sexes, but more often so in 3
only, in 2 more often tinted greyish yellowish to yellowish or even yellowish
brownish, especially in middle parts and more so along the veins, more con-
spicuous in some 99, in both sexes tinted slightly milky whitish in clearer apical,
hinder and basal parts, more perceptible in certain lights; veins yellowish or
yellowish reddish; second submarginal cell sometimes tending to be rather
broad apically; apex of first posterior cell either broadly open or often tending
to be narrowed if second submarginal is broad apically; apex of discoidal cell
more often shortly stalked, but sometimes meeting third posterior cell at a point;
knobs of halteres brownish to almost black above.
Legs with the hind femora only very slightly, or scarcely, thickened, less so
in Q, their double row of spines below rather slender, whitish, pallid to pale
yellowish; basal segment of hind tarsi slender, slightly longer than claw-segment.
Oviscape in 2 with the lower middle part on each side of central carina
usually with some rugae and coarse sculpture, with about 7-9 spines on a side.
Aypopygium of 3 with the posterior angles of lobes of tergite 9 usually and
to a variable extent slightly prolonged, subacute to bluntly angular at apex;
sternite 9 bluntly conically pointed, transversely wrinkled basally below, but on
sides with the wrinkles curving round in a longitudinal direction apically, the
upper half sometimes with rows of setiferous punctures, its processes (text-fig. 3,
bottom middle) slightly S-curved in side view, the upper margin more rapidly
narrowed to more slender apical fourth or fifth which is slightly curved upwards,
in dorsal view narrowed to a blunt point.
136 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
From a series of ¢g and 99 in the South African and Transvaal Museums.
Length of body: about 14-21-5 mm
Length of wing: about 9°5-14:5 mm
Distribution: North-western Cape: Namaqualand and Bushmanland
(October-November).
Afroleptomydas sobrinus n.sp.
A species almost indistinguishable from humeralis and which may almost be
considered as representing only a more southern variety of the latter. As the
slight differences, however, appear to be consistent in a series of §¢ and 99,
it is considered as a distinct species which is distinguished from humeralis and
forms of the latter by the following combination of characters:
Body with the bullae entirely shining black, not orange or reddish, rela-
tively larger and closer together above, especially in ¢; hind margins of tergites
2-4 (not 2-5 or 6) in g distinctly yellowish whitish and 2-6 (not sometimes 2-5)
in 9 consistently broadly so; yellowish on pteropleural, metapleural and hinder
episternal parts, and on sides of tergite 1, relatively less extensive; sides of vertex
more consistently entirely black in both sexes (not tending in 9 to be more often
reddish); legs on the whole distinctly much darker, the hind femora with
distinctly less yellowish below, usually entirely or almost entirely castaneous
brownish, and tibiae, especially hind ones, much darker, and the hind femora
comparatively even less thickened.
Integument with the same parts shining, but the transverse striae on abdo-
men of 9 comparatively finer, less coarse, even posteriorly.
Vestiture similar and similarly coloured, but two submedial streaks of
whitish tomentum on thorax comparatively broader.
Head with the antennae very similar, but relatively slightly shorter, though
also slightly longer than thorax; segment 3 proportionally shorter and its slight
thickening at apex distinctly much shorter; proboscis distinctly shorter, more
slender, subequal in length to, or shorter than, thorax (including scutellum), its
labella comparatively smaller, and with distinctly more and longer hairs at
base of proboscis below.
Wings very similar, but more consistently clear in 9, but usually more
faintly tinted if at all; veins on the whole darker.
Oviscape in 2 very similar, with 7-8 spines on a side.
Hypopygium of 3 also very similar, but posterior angles of lobes of tergite 9
usually even more produced; sternite 9 less conspicuously wrinkled, its pro-
cesses (text-fig. 3, top right) more gradually narrowed posteriorly, with fewer
hairs on outer side below, the slender apical part, in side view, relatively shorter,
and their apices much sharper.
From 18 $¢ and 8 99, including types, in the South African Museum.
Length of body: about 13-19-5 mm
Length of wing: about 8-5—14-5 mm
Distribution: South-western Cape coastal region: Leipoldtville-Elands Bay
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 137
(Museum Expedition, November 1948) (¢ holotype, 2 allotype and ¢ and
Q paratypes); Leipoldtville-—Elands Bay (South African Museum, November
1956) (gj and @ paratypes).
Afroleptomydas simulans n.sp.
Lepiomydas nivosus (2) Bezzi (nec Gerstaecker), 19246: 210. (n.syn.)
The somewhat damaged 9 specimen in the South African Museum, from
Matjiesfontein, which Bezzi described as the 9 of nivosus cannot be made to
agree with Gerstaecker’s description ofa unique specimen, and which species I
take to be the ¢ of his humeralis. This 9 is, however, much nearer to the 92 of
humeralis than to any other known species and may even be considered as repre-
senting a Koup Karoo variety of the latter. From 99 of humeralts it differs as follows:
Body similarly coloured, but sides of thorax above and postalar calli rela-
tively more broadly reddish; extreme sides of metanotum also distinctly
yellowish reddish; pteropleural, metapleural and posterior episternal parts more
extensively yellowish; sides of tergites 1 and 2 distinctly very much broader
yellowish, and discal parts of 1 and 2 obscurely, but distinctly, more ferrugi-
nous; hind margins of tergites 2—5 slightly more broadly yellowish, the medial
discal parts of 3-5, especially 3, more broadly so; bullae more brownish, sur-
rounded by only a very narrow, not broad and coarsely transversely-ridged,
black margin; integument of abdomen above with the transverse striae slightly
farther apart.
Vestiture similar, but short hairs on abdomen, apart from the longish basal
ones, distinctly sparser, less dense, more conspicuously so on two last segments.
Head with the antennae slightly shorter than thorax (excluding scutellum) ;
segment 3 comparatively longer and stouter, its apical thickened part distinctly
shorter than in humeralis; club relatively longer, more elongate-pyriform;
proboscis about as long, but its labella markedly smaller and narrower, only
about a fourth length of proboscis (more or much more than a fourth in
humeralis).
Wings similarly tinted slightly yellowish brownish in middle parts; veins
also yellowish reddish, and other venational characters similar; hind margin of
squamae more brownish, not whitish; stem of halteres and margins of knob
brownish, not pallid above, but latter also brownish or dark in middle.
Legs similarly yellowish, but femora more distinctly, more extensively
darkened above, the hind ones slightly, though distinctly, more thickened, with
shorter, stouter, blunter, and deeper yellowish, more yellowish reddish, spines
below; basal segment of hind tarsi relatively shorter, subequal in length to
claw-segment.
Oviscape with 7-8 rather more slender spines on a side.
Length of body: about 20 mm
Length of wing: about 12-5 mm
Distribution: Matjiesfontein (R. M. Lightfoot, November 1910) in the
south-western part of the Koup Karoo.
138 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
Afroleptomydas saeculus n.sp.
An almost entirely black Koup Karoo representative of the humeralis
of Namaqualand which is represented by some gd, as well as a 9 specimen
which I take to belong to the same species, in the collections before me. These
specimens differ from humeralis only in the following respects:
Body almost entirely black or dark; clypeus yellowish on sides to a variable
extent, but sometimes even black; humeral tubercles and sides of thorax above
entirely black; pteropleural and metapleural parts usually black and posterior
episternal part less extensively or less obviously yellowish, sometimes also mainly
black; extreme sides only of tergite 1 with two transverse yellowish marks,
sometimes much reduced or even wanting; hind margins of tergites 2-4 and
sometimes sides of 5 or even 6 in ¢ whitish, and 2-4 broadly and 5 more
obscurely yellowish whitish in 92; bullae, as in humeralis, orange yellowish,
orange brownish to reddish, dark or black-margined, separated above in 3
by a space subequal in length to, or a little wider than, vertical length of bullae,
in 2 wider; hind margins of sternites 1-4 or 5 only whitish on extreme sides,
usually darkened in middle; venter itself even more extensively darkened than in
humeralis, only sternites 1 or 2 or 1-3 slightly yellowish in some 34, but otherwise
entirely dark in gj and 9.
Integument with the same parts shining, but basal discal shining parts of
tergites in $ more extensive, and with the greyish whitish bloom or pattern on
abdomen in ¢ very similar; tergites 7 and 8 in Q distinctly less coarsely trans-
versely striated than in humeralis.
Vestiture with the hairs as long as and as dense as in Aumeralis and sobrinus,
also snow whitish; those on abdomen similar to those of Aumeralis; outer or
lateral bare streaks on thorax above relatively narrower.
Head with the antennae proportionally distinctly much shorter, usually a
little longer than thorax (excluding scutellum); segment 1 relatively shorter
than in Aumeralis, slightly thickened, slightly more than 2-5, or nearly 3, times
length of 2; segment 3 proportionally shorter than in Aumeralis, longer than club,
shorter than interocular space on vertex, its apical thickened part usually a
little less than apical third; club, in ¢ especially, more distinctly pyriform, less
elongate, more rapidly dilated above from middle; proboscis very similar, but
more slender, with smaller labella, about as long as, or more usually a little
longer than, thorax (excluding scutellum), usually with a few longish hairs
near its base below; palps distinctly, longer than antennal segment 2; post-
vertical spines not distinctly differentiated in 3, pallid in 9.
Wings also clear or only greyish hyaline, though sometimes very faintly tinted
yellowish brownish in ¢ and more so in 9; veins yellowish reddish to reddish;
second submarginal cell with a relatively shorter or very short appendix basally,
usually less dilated basally and sometimes tending to be narrower apically than
first submarginal; first posterior cell also broadly or more narrowly open
apically, its outer vein, however, tending to be less roundly curved outwards in
apical part than in humeralis; other venational characters similar; halteres also
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 139
pallid or whitish, the middle of knobs dark above.
Legs on the whole darker, deeper yellowish brownish to brownish, the
upper faces of femora also darkened, with the hairs about as long and silvery
whitish, but longish ones on hind femora distinctly less dense than in humeralis ;
hind femora more slender, distinctly less, or scarcely, thickened; basal segment
of hind tarsi also slightly longer than claw-segment.
Oviscape in 9 with about 7 spines visible on a side.
Hypopygium of 3 with the posterior angles of lobes of tergite 9 blunter, less
angularly produced; sternite g relatively shorter, not, or less, or only very feebly,
transversely wrinkled basally below, its processes relatively shorter, less curved
up apically than in humeralts.
From 4 gg and 1 9, including the types, in the South African Museum.
Length of body: about 13-17 mm
Length of wing: about g-11-5 mm
Distribution: South-western Koup Karoo: Koup Siding—Laingsburg
(Museum Expedition, October 1952) (¢ holotype and 2 g paratypes). Tankwa
Karoo, west of Matjiesfontein: Waterval (Museum Expedition, November
1952) (2 allotype); Dikbome near Merweville (Museum Expedition, October
1952) (1 3 paratype).
The ¢ paratype from Dikbome represents a variety which is slightly larger,
with entirely black clypeus and slightly longer proboscis (about 3:2 mm),
slightly longer and stouter antennae, and clearer, more hyaline wings.
Afroleptomydas campestris n.sp.
A slightly variable southern Karoo species, belonging to the saeculus and
sodalicus category of the humeralis group, mostly found sitting on the ground, but
sometimes also on the flowers of species of Mesembryanthemum. It is characterized
as follows:
Body mainly dark or black; clypeus or sides of it reddish brownish to a
variable extent; antennal segments 1 and 2 sometimes with a slight reddish or
dark piceous reddish tint, especially in 9; proboscis below also reddish brownish
to a variable extent, especially in 9; humeral tubercles dark or black, but,
area between the base and anterior spiracle often tinted slightly reddish brown-
ish; pleurae mainly dark, but metapleural part behind posterior thoracic
spiracle yellowish brownish to reddish brownish, the spiracle itself usually
similarly coloured, and raised parts in front of it tending to be dark reddish
brownish or piceous to a variable extent; sides basally, extreme side and sides
apically of tergite 1, sides of 2 (often relatively broadly), to a variable extent
extreme sides intramarginally of 3, 4 and even base of 5 (or in ¢ sometimes
entire length of 5), as well as base of venter or sides of sternites 2—5 (especially
in 3), to a variable extent yellowish, pale yellowish brownish to reddish
brownish; venter in 9 usually mainly dark, only slightly paler or yellowish
brownish on sides of sternites 2 and 3 and base of 4; hind margins of tergites
2, 3 and sides of 4, or 2-4 and sides of 5, in 3 yellowish whitish (that of 2 often
140 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
dark between bullae), and 2—5 or 6 in 2 more broadly or fairly broadly yellowish
whitish or yellowish, sometimes with their basal margin tinted slightly more
orange and tending to be more broadened along middorsal line; hind margins
of corresponding sternites also yellowish whitish on sides; bullae usually shining
black, though sometimes with a slight obscure dark reddish brownish or piceous
tint across middle, smaller and more broadly separated in Q, in both sexes with
the basal part radiately grooved or striate; apical part of processes of sternite
g in J, and even entire sternite, and often lateral margin of lobes of tergite 9,
tinted more piceous dark reddish to dark blackish red; legs very dark castaneous
brownish, blackish brownish or piceous brownish, the outer face of front and
middle femora and inner lower face of hind ones yellowish brownish to reddish
brownish, and the tibiae and tarsi also yellowish brownish, though hind tibiae
sometimes rather dark along outer aspect.
Integument of middle part of frons, to a large extent the clypeus, head below,
proboscis, middle anterior (or sternopleural and mesopleural) part of pleurae,
scutellum, greater part of abdomen (excepting under the broadish apical rings
of greyish tomentum on tergites in g), and the legs shining; rest of head and
pleurae dulled by greyish whitish tomentum; thorax above and metanotum
dull; integument of abdomen above in ¢ finely transversely striate, especially
across more or less apical halves of tergites from 3, and covered with sparse,
minute, setiferous puncturation, more coarsely transversely striate in 9,
especially across last three segments; integument of hind femora finely trans-
versely striate, more so in Q.
Vestiture fairly long and dense on head, sides of thorax above, pleural parts,
sides of metanotum, tergite 1, sides of 2 and 3 (in J at least), at base of venter,
metasternal part and hind coxae, and all these hairs entirely snow whitish;
shortish ones on disc of thorax in 3 streaks on 3 streaks of greyish tomentum also
whitish; shortish, not very dense, ones on rest of abdomen in g mainly whitish,
but sometimes gleaming very slightly sericeous yellowish on basal, dark, shining,
discal parts of tergites, in 2 also not very dense, slightly longer and more evident
on sides than above, mainly pale, but denser reversed ones on last three segments
appearing slightly more yellowish in certain lights; abdomen in J with a little
less than apical halves of tergites from 3 dulled by greyish whitish tomentum,
broadened on sides to extend towards base; hairs on legs also mainly whitish,
those on front and middle femora above longish, those on hind femora with
sparse, longish ones along inner face and in basal half above, the rest shortish,
and also with rather sparse longish ones along inner face of hind tibiae; spines
and spicules on legs yellowish whitish, pallid, to whitish.
Head with some postvertical spines present; antennae distinctly much
longer than the rather shortish thorax (excluding scutellum) ; segment 1 about
3 or 3:3 times length of 2; segment 3 elongate, subequal in length to, or a little
longer than, width of interocular space on vertex, also more than half length of
thorax, longer than club, its apical part distinctly thickened segment-like;
club elongate-pyriform, rather rapidly broadened from about or a little beyond
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 141
middle, usually slightly more so above, thus appearing slightly hollow-backed,
its sensory area sloping obliquely upwards to tubercular prominence, its base
distinctly shortly constricted; proboscis rather longish, about 3-2-3-68 mm,
usually slightly longer than thorax above, without distinct longish hairs below;
palps distinct, of variable length, sometimes reaching length of antennal seg-
ment I, its apical segment not markedly narrower than basal one.
Wings in 3 almost clear hyaline, to a variable extent very faintly tinted
brownish from base of marginal cell towards apex, more so along veins, in 9
more distinctly tinted smoky brownish and more so along veins; apex of dis-
coidal cell shortly stalked; knobs of halteres blackish brown above.
Legs slender, with the hind femora only slightly thickened, their double row
of spines below relatively shortish, beginning near base; hind tibiae slightly
curved near apex, their well-developed spicules arranged in an outer lower and
an inner apical row; basal segment of hind tarsi distinctly longer than claw-
segment; claws in 3 longer and more rapidly curved down apically, especially
hind ones, in 2 proportionally shorter, more sickle-shaped; pulvilli in ¢ much
broader and longer than in 9.
Oviscape in 2 with from 6-9 dark brownish to blackish brown spines on a
side.
Hypopygium of 3 with sternite g conical, transversely grooved basally below,
more longitudinally so on sides, its processes, in side view (text-fig. 3, middle
right), S-curved, more rapidly narrowed above than below, ending in a slender
upturned apical part, with the hairs below longer and stiffer near base, the
processes in dorsal view rather sharply pointed apically; epimere of aedeagal
apparatus slightly broadened apically (shoe-horn-shaped).
From 25 gg and 7 99 (¢ holotype, 2 allotype, 23 g and 5 2 paratypes in
the South African Museum, and a 3 and @ paratypes in the Transvaal Museum).
Length of body: about 16-5-22 mm
Length of wing: about 11-14 mm
Distribution: South-western Cape: 18 miles east of Touws River along
railway line to Ladismith, mostly on the ground, but one paratype on the
whitish flowers of a species of Mesembryanthemum (South African Museum,
December 1962 (J holotype, 9 allotype, 18 g and 4 9 paratypes); 18 miles
south-east of Touws River (C. D. Michener, 12th November 1966) (2 3 and
1 2 paratypes); half-way along road between Touws River and Hottentots
Kloof on reddish flowers of a Mesembryanthemum (South African Museum,
December 1962) (3 g and 1 Q paratypes)). Constable, north-east of Touws
River, on reddish flowers of a Mesembryanthemum (South African Museum,
December 1962) (1 3 paratype).
From saeculus, which it closely resembles, this species may at once be
distinguished by the distinctly longer antennae of which segment 3 is propor-
tionally longer, as long as or slightly longer than interocular space on vertex;
the more extensive yellowish on sides of tergites 1 and 2 and even extreme sides
of 3 and 4; dark bullae; denser and longer hairs on abdomen, hind femora and
142 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
tibiae; and more extensively darkened femora.
From sodalicus and vallicolus it may be separated by the dark bullae, slightly
more tinged wings, darker veins, and in ¢ by the distinctly more S-curved
processes of sternite 9g which are more rapidly narrowed, especially above, and
with a more delimited upcurved apical part.
Afroleptomydas inopinus n.sp.
A species very near campestris, of which it may even be considered as a
subspecies. It is unfortunately represented in the collections before me by only
a single 2 specimen which is characterized as follows:
Body mainly black; sides of clypeus reddish brownish; humeral tubercles
yellowish; hind border of pteropleuron, tubercle in front of halteres, sutural
part below the latter, to a certain extent upper border of hypopleuron, meta-
pleural part below halteres, sides of tergite 1 basally and to a smaller extent
apically, sides of tergite 2 and to a fainter extent extreme sides and base laterally
of 3, base on sides of 4, sternites 1, 2, base and extreme sides of 3 and base of 4
laterally yellowish brownish or yellowish reddish; hind margins of tergites 2-5
yellowish and those of corresponding sternites also yellowish on sides; bullae
black, widely separated above; legs with the femora dark blackish brownish
above, the hind ones being more so along inner aspect, and the tarsi yellowish
brownish.
Integument of middle part of frons, head below, proboscis, scutellum, middle
parts of pleurae, and greater part of abdomen above shining; disc of thorax
dull, with streaks of greyish tomentum under the streaks of hair; metanotum also
dull; abdomen above transversely striate from tergite 3, denser and coarser
posteriorly; integument of legs also mainly shining.
Vestiture fairly dense and longish on head, sides of thorax above, sides of
metanotum, pleurae, tergite 1, sides of 2 and on coxae, and entirely whitish;
shortish ones on disc of thorax in two broadish submedial streaks and a narrow
central one; shortish hairs on rest of abdomen above rather sparse, whitish,
only those on last two abdominal segments tinted very slightly more greyish
yellowish; hairs on legs mainly whitish, longish on front and middle femora
above, shortish on hind ones, but with longish ones also above in basal half,
and with sparse, longish ones along inner lower aspect of hind tibiae; spines
and spicules on legs pallid.
Head with some pale postvertical spines; antennae longer than thorax
(excluding scutellum) ; segment 1 about 3 times length of 2; segment 3 elongate,
much longer than interocular space on vertex, much longer than club; latter
slightly elongate-pyriform, more rapidly broadened below from just beyond
middle, the sensory area sloping up, the base very shortly or scarcely constricted ;
proboscis rather long, slightly longer than thorax, about 3-6 mm; palps distinct,
nearly or about as long as antennal segment 1, their apical segment distinct,
narrower and shorter than basal part.
Wings clear hyaline in more or less basal fourth and axillary part, distinctly
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 143
tinted brownish beyond, more distinctly so along veins; veins dark brownish;
appendix at base of second submarginal cell rather long; apex of discoidal cell
shortly stalked; knobs of halteres blackish brown above.
Legs with the hind femora slightly, but distinctly, thickened, their double
row of spines below beginning near base, the spines rather shortish; hind tibiae
slightly curved near apex, with fairly longish spicules below, beginning at
about basal third; basal segment of hind tarsi longer than claw-segment.
Genital segments with sternite 8 slightly depressed medially near apex;
oviscape with about 6 or 7 shortish and brownish spines on a side.
From a single 2 holotype in the South African Museum.
Length of body: about 20 mm
Length of wing: about 13 mm
Distribution : South-western Cape: Ouberg Pass, south-east of Touws River
(South African Museum, December 1962).
As may be seen from the description this species is very near and almost
identical with 99 of campestris. From the @ of the latter it may, however, be
distinguished by the proportionally much longer antennal segment 3 (propor-
tions of 10:9) and which is very much longer than interocular space on vertex ;
the proportionally shorter club (proportions of 10:11), with scarcely any basal
constriction; the yellowish humeral tubercles; and slightly more extensive
yellowish reddish on pleurae (which more distinctly occupies hind border of
pteropleuron), tubercle in front of halteres, sutural part below latter, to a certain
extent upper border of hypopleuron and metapleural part below halteres.
Afroleptomydas marginipunctatus n.sp.
Another Western Cape and coastal species, belonging to the humeralis
group, and which is very near humeralis and sobrinus. From these two species it
may, apart from its consistently smaller size, however, be separated by the
following characters:
Body similarly coloured, with the same parts more or less yellowish reddish,
but with the yellowish on sides of abdomen more consistently perceptible as a
narrow, intramarginal streak along extreme sides of tergites 2-5 and, in Q,
sometimes along the rest as well; extreme base of thorax sometimes transversely
obscurely reddish in 9; yellowish on pleurae usually less extensive, the ptero-
pleuron and sometimes metapleural part in front of halteres being dark; venter
usually more extensively yellowish up to at least sternite 5, sometimes beyond
it or even entirely so, especially in 9; hind margins of tergites 2-4, and 5 laterally,
in j narrowly, and 2-6 in 2 more broadly, yellowish whitish or whitish; hind
margin of tergite 1 obscurely brownish to yellowish; bullae shining black as in
sobrinus, separated above in ¢ by a space as wide as, or narrower than, bullae,
broader in Q, but less broadly so than in humeralts.
Integument with the same parts shining as in the other two species andl the
whitish tomentum on tergites disposed in the same way, but with the abdomen
above as in sobrinus, shining to apex and striae less coarse than in humeralis;
144 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
tergite 7 on each extreme side intramarginally with a consistent row of
impressed, rivet-like, shining punctures in both sexes, sometimes also with some
along preceding tergites, especially in 9 (these punctures absent in the other two
species or represented by only a few).
Vestiture with the hairs as dense and as long as, and also snow whitish as in
the other two species, but the two submedial dark bare streaks on thorax above
much narrower than in humeralis, more like those of sobrinus.
Head with the antennae comparatively much shorter, a little longer than
thorax (excluding scutellum) which latter itself is, however, shorter than in the
other two species, the antennal segments proportionally shorter; segment 1 a
little more than twice length of 2, slightly thickened in 3, more slender in 9;
segment 3 a little longer than articulating part and club together, a little more
than its apical third segment-like, but scarcely thickened; clubs relatively
stouter, more pyriform, especially the dilated part beyond articulating section;
proboscis subequal in length to shortish thorax, relatively much shorter than in
both humeralis and sobrinus, with some distinct longish hairs basally below; palps
distinct, sometimes slender and longer than antennal segment 2.
Wings very similar, relatively narrower, clear hyaline in d, faintly tinted
yellowish brownish in middle parts in 2, though not so dark as in some 99 of
humeralis; venational characters similar, but appendix at base of second sub-
marginal cell tending to be much shorter, sometimes very short or even absent;
halteres also pallid, with middle part of knobs above dark brownish.
Legs mainly yellowish as in humeralis, with equally dense hairs, the femora
also darkened above, the hind ones a little more extensively than in humeralis,
but not so much as in sobrinus; hind ones even less thickened than in either of
the other two species, their double row of spines below slender, pallid, or
whitish, beginning just before middle; hind tibiae with rather longish spicules
or spurs apically; basal segment of hind tarsi also longer than claw-segment.
Oviscape in 2 with 6-8 spatulate spines on a side.
Hypopygium of 3 with the lobes of tergite g much like those of humeralts;
sternite g similar, but not or only feebly transversely wrinkled basally, its
processes (text-fig. 4, top right) more like those of sobrinus, their apical slender
parts (side view), however, shorter than in humeralis, and outer side below with
relatively fewer hairs than in latter species.
From 5 gd and g 99, including the types, in the South African Museum.
Length of body: about 13-5-17 mm
Length of wing: about g-11-5 mm
Distribution: Coastal region of south-western Cape: Papendorp near mouth
of Olifants River (Museum Expedition, October 1950).
Afroleptomydas psammophilus n.sp.
A sand- and dune-frequenting species from the western Cape which has a
superficial resemblance to humeralis, but is characterized as follows:
Body mainly black, but following parts yellowish, yellowish reddish or
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 145
yellowish brownish: greater part or entire sides of clypeus (excepting sometimes
dark, central, dorsal part), sometimes lower part of proboscis, humeral tuber-
cles, broadish sides of thorax above, including part on inner sides of humeral
tubercles, usually extending down along upper margin of mesopleuron in front
of wings, postalar calli, extreme sides of metanotum, pteropleural and meta-
pleural parts, upper part of hypopleuron, posterior episternal part, sides of
tergites 1 and 2, an intramarginal streak along extreme sides of 3 and 4, and
basally of 5 in gj and to a fainter extent in Q, sternites 1-4 and part or sides of 5
in ¢ and to a lesser or darker extent 1-3 (or sometimes also 4) in 9, upper part
of sclerite on sides above sternite 8 in 3g, apical parts of lobes of tergite 9, and
lower part and processes of sternite 9, as well as greater part of this sternite
itself, in g; antennae piceous brownish or dark reddish brownish, sometimes
blackish brown, the greater part of clubs in 2 sometimes appearing dark reddish,
and antennal segment 1 in 9 sometimes reddish below; legs mainly piceous
brownish or dark reddish brownish, the hinder faces of front and middle femora
more yellowish, and lower surfaces of hind ones more reddish, the tibiae and
tarsi a little paler, more yellowish than femora; coxae dark blackish brownish
or black, only outer surfaces of hind ones being more yellowish brownish; hind
margins of tergites 2-4, and sometimes of 5, yellowish whitish in 3, and 2-5
in 2 more broadly so; hind margins of corresponding sternites also yellowish
whitish only on extreme sides, or often only obscurely so; bullae fairly large,
reddish brownish, orange brownish to wine reddish, reddish, or even, in some
29, black, dark-margined, sometimes smallish in some 99, separated above in 3
by a space usually narrower than vertical length of bullae, more broadly so in @.
Integument with the following parts shining: middle part of frons, head
below, proboscis, hind part of scutellum, oblique middle parts of pleurae,
tergites 1 and 2 in both sexes, rest of abdomen above in 9, and discal parts on
at least basal halves of tergites 3-5 and to a certain extent basal discal parts
also of 6 or even 7 in g; the apical and lateral parts of these tergites in $ dulled
by greyish whitish tomentum; last two abdominal segments of 2 rather coarsely
transversely striate.
Vestiture with the hairs on head, sides of thorax, metanotum, prosternal,
pteropleural, metapleural, and metasternal parts, on tergites 1 and 2, and in
3 sides of 3 and to a lesser extent sides of 4 and also on sternites 1-3, as well as
on coxae in both sexes, longish and dense, but relatively shorter in 9, entirely
snow whitish; hairs on disc of thorax in two broadish, submedial streaks and a
narrow central one (separated by the usual bare streaks), slightly shorter than
those on sides, also whitish; fine hairs on rest of abdomen in ¢ greyish whitish,
but those below processes of sternite 9 and on the sternite itself more yellowish
to golden or yellowish brownish; fine and sparse, short hairs on abdomen in
2 whitish, the longer and denser reversed ones on last two segments yellowish
brownish to brownish, those on oviscape almost black; hairs on legs not very
dense and long, not so dense and long as in humeralis.
Head with the antennae rather long, stoutish, much longer than thorax
146 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
(excluding scutellum); segment 1 slightly thickened, in ¢ at least, relatively
long, about 3:5-3-6 times length of 2; segment 2 with a crown of shortish,
yellowish or golden hairs; segment 3 stoutish, a little longer than club plus
articulating part, with a little more than its apical third thickened segment-
like; clubs relatively elongate, elongate-pyriform, becoming relatively gradually
thickened towards apices, their bases rapidly narrowed or constricted before
junction of articulating part; proboscis relatively short, stoutish, shorter than
thorax, without any longish hairs basally below;.palps minute, or only a little
longer than antennal segment 2; postvertical spines well developed.
Wings greyish hyaline in both sexes, with a feeble whitish tint, but often
faintly tinted brownish, distinctly more so in some 99, and especially so along
veins in middle parts, the basal third of wings being hyaline, in ¢ usually also
with slight narrow dark borders along basal veins of second submarginal and
first posterior cells; veins brownish; appendix at base of second submarginal
cell longish; apex of discoidal cell shortly stalked; first posterior cell usually
broadly open apically; knobs of halteres blackish brown above.
Legs rather long, with the hind femora also rather long, distinctly thickened,
their double row of spines below shortish, pallid or yellowish, and beginning
from near base; hind tibiae rather stoutish, curved, especially near apices,
granular below, with distinctly more numerous spicules, especially on outer
sides below, than in humeralis and related forms; basal segment of hind tarsi
not longer than claw-segment, more or less subequal to it in length.
Oviscape usually convergently striated in inner posterior angles of sclerite
on each side of vertical carina, the spine-bearing sclerites each with about 7—9
spines.
Hypopygium of 3 with the posterior angles of lobes of tergite 9 usually
distinctly produced lobe-like; sternite g conically pointed, somewhat con-
stricted nearer apex, transversely wrinkled basally below, rather densely hairy
below, its processes, in side view (text-fig. 3, bottom right), S-curved, rather
rapidly narrowed towards apices, with more or less their apical fourth slender,
horizontal or slightly tilted up, in dorsal view rather acutely pointed apically.
From 18 §g and 10 Q9, including the types, in the South African Museum.
Length of body: about 17-25 mm
Length of wing: about 11-15 mm
Distribution: South-western Cape: Paleisheuwel (Museum Expedition,
November 1948) (¢ holotype, 2 allotype, 16 g paratypes, and 7 9 paratypes) ;
Bulhoek between Clanwilliam and Klawer (Museum Expedition, October
1950) (1 ¢ and 2 Q paratypes).
Afroleptomydas braunsi (Bezz.) n.comb.
Leptomydas braunsi Bezzi, 19245: 211. Bequaert, 1959: 367, 370.
This species from Willowmore with its rufous-backed 9 was the first
dichroic form of this genus to be described from South Africa. In the collections
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 147
of the Transvaal Museum are 4 3¢ and 4 99, one pair of which was taken in
copulation by the late Dr. Brauns. All the specimens have been caught during
November and two QQ in the same year as the type specimens. The species is
apparently slightly variable and Bezzi’s description of his 3 and @ is not strictly
applicable to this species in general. Moreover, as there are several other South
African species with rufous-backed 99, two of which also occur at Willowmore,
Bezzi’s description may easily lead to confusion.
The species is characterized as follows:
Body mainly dark or black, the pleurae in both sexes and the dark parts of
abdomen in ¢ being sometimes more castaneous brownish than entirely black;
antennae blackish brownish or dark reddish brownish; clypeus yellowish or
yellowish brownish in both sexes, slightly darker above; proboscis yellowish
brownish below; humeral tubercles dark in 3, but these and anterior spiracles.
in 2 yellowish; sides of thorax above and postalar calli in 9 obscurely reddish,
only postalar calli in g very dark reddish brownish; metapleural and meta-
sternal parts, sides basally and apically of tergite 1, extreme sides of tergite 2,
and in J also very narrowly those of 3-4 (or 5), to a variable extent yellowish;
hind margins of tergites 2—5 (or sides of 5) in g yellowish whitish and those of
2-6 (or only sides of 6) in Q yellowish; bullae ochreous brownish, reddish
brownish, blackish brown to shining black, dark-bordered; abdomen above in 9
ochreous brownish or orange brownish discally to a variable extent from ter-
gites 2-6, that on 5 and 6 present only discally and that on 6 usually small,
confined to hinder part and sometimes even absent, that on 2 sometimes not
uniformly ochreous, and sides of 2—5 with large black spots, the one on sides of
5 the largest, and sides of hind margins opposite the black spots more whitish
than yellowish; abdomen in 3 appearing greyish, due to greyish whitish tomen-
tum which is absent on tergites 1 and 2, basal two-thirds discally on 3 and 4 and
basal half discally of 5 and to a certain extent that of 6; venter mainly yellowish
on sternites 1-4 (or 5) in g and 1-3 and basally across 4 in 9, the rest dark,
though in one § more brownish, the hind margins of sternites whitish on sides
of 1-4 (or 5) in § and 1-5 in 9, the middle parts of these margins in 9 more
yellowish and with that of 6 sometimes obscurely dirty yellowish; hypopygium
of 3, excepting dorsal anal lappets, mainly yellowish; legs mainly yellowish
brownish or slightly pale reddish brownish, the femora, especially hind ones,
appearing darkened above.
Integument of part of vertex, central part of frons, middle dorsal part of
clypeus, sides of head below, proboscis, anterior middle parts of pleurae,
scutellum, tergites 1-6 in 9, and untomented dark basal parts on 3-6 in d,
shining; hinder part of abdomen dull in both sexes, though in 2 sometimes
subshining ; integument of thorax above and metanotum dull in both sexes, due
to microscopic leathery microsculpture; legs very little shining.
Vestiture with the hairs fairly long and dense in both sexes, though slightly
shorter at base of abdomen (tergites 1 and 2) in 9, and slightly less dense on
legs in 9, though not scarce and short as stated by Bezzi; those on hind tibiae in
148 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
both sexes longish along inner sides, though slightly less dense in 9; hairs on
thorax arranged in 5 streaks, and those on sides of tergite 3 in ¢ longish also as
on 1 and @; all the hairs on head, body and legs snow whitish in both sexes,
those on dark parts of abdomen in ¢ tinted very slightly more sericeous
yellowish, not dark or black as stated by Bezzi, and reversed hairs on last three
abdominal segments in @ distinctly yellowish brownish or fulvous brownish, not
whitish as implied by Bezzi; tomentum on head on non-shining parts dense and
greyish whitish, also on sides behind eyes, on non-shining anterior, upper and
hinder parts of pleurae, and on non-shining parts of abdomen in 4g; spines and
spicules on legs yellowish whitish.
Head with the antennae usually longer than thorax (excluding scutellum) ;
segment I slightly thickened, about 2-6—3 times length of 2; segment 3 elongate,
a little more than 3 times length of 1 and 2 combined, longer than club, its
apical part slightly thickened segment-like; clubs slightly elongate-pyriform,
becoming rapidly broadest beyond middle, the extreme base shortly constricted ;
proboscis shorter than antennae, usually slightly longer than thorax (excluding
scutellum), with some longish hairs basally below, its labella fairly large; palps
distinct, clavate in appearance, longer than antennal segment 2, apically with
a short, slender terminal segment; some feeble, whitish, postvertical spines
discernible in Q.
Wings almost hyaline, very slightly or very faintly tinted yellowish from
about level of base of discoidal cell, scarcely perceptible in J, but more distinctly
so in 9, especially along course of veins, the wings also appearing whitish in
certain lights; veins yellowish brownish, more brownish in hinder part; first
posterior cell normally broadly open apically; second submarginal cell not
much dilated basally; apex of discoidal cell shortly stalked, though sometimes
scarcely so or not at all; hind border of wings in apical half narrower than
cells; halteres yellowish, their knobs darkened above.
Legs with the hind femora only slightly, but distinctly, thickened, their
double row of spines below, slender, yellowish whitish, beginning from just
before middle; hind tibiae slightly curved forwards in apical part, armed below
on outer aspect, especially in apical part, with slender, yellowish whitish spicules,
more numerous and stouter in 9; basal segment of hind tarsi distinctly longer
than claw-segment; claws distinctly much longer in 9.
Oviscape in 2 with about 8 or 9 relatively shortish, blunt, yellowish brownish
or brownish spines on a side.
Hypopygium of 3 with the lobes of tergite g somewhat produced, pointed
subangularly rounded apically; sternite 9 more or less obliquely transversely
wrinkled in basal half, its processes, in side view, slightly S-curved, gradually
narrowed to apex, more rapidly so above to about halfway, then slightly
curving upwards, in dorsal view rather broadish, bluntly pointed.
From 4 $d and 4 99 in the Brauns collection in the Transvaal Museum.
Length of body: about 16-21 mm
Length of wing: about 10-5-16 mm
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 149
Distribution: Southern Karoo: Willowmore (Dr. Brauns, October 1920,
November 1909, 1916, 1917 and 1920).
Fic. 4. Side and dorsal views (all to same scale) of right process of sternite 9 of $¢ of:
Afroleptomydas sodalicus n.sp. (top left). Afroleptomydas koupicolus n.sp. (top middle). Afroleptomydas
marginipunctatus n.sp. (top right).
Afroleptomydas vallicolus n.sp. (middle left). Afroleptomydas rusticanus n.sp. (middle middle).
Afroleptomydas rubellus n.sp. (middle right).
Afroleptomydas thorni n.sp. (bottom left). Afroleptomydas microreticulatus n.sp. (bottom middle).
Afroleptomydas inhacae n.sp. (bottom right).
Afroleptomydas sodalicus n.sp.
A Koup Karoo species belonging to the humeralis section, of which the 3
is almost entirely black and the 2 with yellowish brownish dorsum of the
abdomen as in @ of braunsi. It is characterized as follows:
Body mainly black, entirely so in g; clypeus in 3 entirely black, yellowish
on sides in 2, dark above; humeral tubercles, sides of thorax, pteropleural and
metapleural parts entirely dark or black in both sexes, only posterior episternal
part yellowish; two broadish transverse streaks on extreme sides of tergite 1,
and in 9 sometimes also extreme sides of 2, yellowish to an obscure extent; dor-
150 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
sum of abdomen discally on tergites 2-4 broadly and on 5 narrowly pale
ochreous brownish in 9; hind margins of tergites 2-4 and obscurely on sides
of 5 in g whitish; hind margin of tergite 1 in 2 obscurely reddish brownish,
those of 2-5 and sometimes discally of 6 more broadly yellowish whitish; bullae
orange or ochreous brownish, black- or dark-margined, separated above in ¢ by
a space a little narrower than their vertical length plus dark margin, much
more broadly in 9; venter in both sexes extensively dark, more so than in
humeralis, only basal two or three sternites being paler, ochreous brownish or
yellowish brownish, and extreme sides of hind margins of sternites 1-4 (or 5)
whitish; sternite 9 and apical halves or so of its processes and lobes of tergite 9
in ¢ yellowish; legs mainly brownish.
Integument with the same parts shining as in Aumeralis and the pattern of
greyish whitish tomentum on abdomen in ¢ also similar; abdomen in 9 as
shining as in other 99 in this section.
Vestiture as long and dense as in humeralis, also snow whitish; short ones on
abdomen above, however, relatively dense; reversed hairs on last two abdominal
segments in 9 appearing slightly more brownish than in Q of humeralis, relatively
less dense; hairs on legs also fairly dense and long, snow whitish, with numerous
longish ones also on hind femora; spines and spicules on legs pallid or pale
yellowish.
Head with the antennae proportionally shorter than in Aumeralis, but longer
than in the species saeculus, a little longer than thorax (excluding scutellum) ;
segment 1 about or nearly 3 times length of 2; segment 3 longer than club, in
3 subequal in length to width of interocular space on vertex, its apical third,
or slightly more, segment-like; clubs elongate-pyriform, gradually dilated
beyond middle, more rapidly so in Q, their bases shortly constricted; proboscis
distinctly a little longer than thorax (excluding scutellum), about 3-4-3:6 mm,
without any or with only a few, longish hairs basally below; palps distinct,
much longer than antennal segment 2; postvertical spines present, yellowish.
Wings greyish hyaline in 3, though very faintly tinted towards apex, in 9
more distinctly tinted yellowish brownish in middle and apical parts; veins
yellowish brownish; second submarginal cell tending to be less dilated basally
than in humeralis; knobs of halteres brownish above in apical two-thirds.
Legs with the hind femora slightly, but distinctly, thickened, their double
row of spines below slender, from near base; basal segment of hind tarsi a little
longer than claw-segment; claws, especially hind ones, in § longer than in 9.
Oviscape in 2 with about 6-8 yellowish brownish spines on a side.
Hypopygium of 3 with the apical part of lobes of tergite 9 distinctly pro-
longed or produced, more so than in humeralis; sternite 9 also conical, with
slightly more hairs than in humeralis, its processes in side view (text-fig. 4, top
left) slightly smuous, more or less narrowed above and below to apex, relatively
longer than in humeralis, in dorsal view slightly blunter apically; aedeagal
apparatus very slender.
From 1 g and 2 99 in the South African Museum.
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 151
Length of body: about 16-5-18 mm
Length of wing: about 11-14 mm
Distribution: Koup Karoo: Dikbome near Merweville (Museum Expedi-
tion, October 1952) (2 holotype, 2 paratype and ¢ allotype).
The 9, which resembles the 9 of braunsi (Bezz.) differs from the latter in
having the abdomen above more narrowly ochreous; discal part of tergite 6
not ochreous; less extensively yellowish clypeus; darker humeral tubercles;
dark sides of thorax above; less extensive yellowish on sides at base of abdomen;
darker base of venter; proportionally longer antennae; relatively darker legs,
etc. The 3 may at once be distinguished from that of braunsi by the dark clypeus,
dark humeral tubercles and dark sides of thorax, absence of orange hind borders
to the whitish hind margins of tergites, darker venter, darker legs, longer anten-
nae, and longer and less S-curved processes of sternite 9.
Afroleptomydas vallicolus n.sp.
This mountain valley frequenting species, from the Swartberg region of
Laingsburg, is, apart from its slightly larger size, almost indistinguishable super-
ficially from sodalicus. The 3 may, however, at once be distinguished from the 3
of the latter by its slightly more dark reddish or reddish brownish humeral
tubercles; the presence of a yellowish reddish intramarginal streak on sides of
tergites 3-5; by the whitish hind margins of tergites 2-4 and sides of 5 (not 2-3
and sides of 4 as in sodalicus); the yellowish streak on extreme sides of sternites
2-5; the paler more extensively yellowish lower faces of front and middle
femora; relatively longer antennae, of which segment 3 is distinctly longer than
interocular space on vertex; the more rapidly dilated and slightly longer clubs;
and the relatively longer, and in dorsal view, more sharply pointed processes
(text-fig. 4, middle left) of sternite g.
The 2, which also has the dorsum of abdomen ochreous yellowish, differs
from 9 sodalicus in having yellowish humeral tubercles; a darkish central streak
on tergite 2; distinctly much longer antennae, with proportionally much longer
segment. 3; longer clubs, which are less rapidly dilated from middle; slightly
more thickened hind femora; and even more darkly tinted wings.
From 2 fg and 1 @ in the South African Museum.
Length of body: about 19-21-5 mm
Length of wing: about 13-15 mm
Distribution: Koup Karoo: Rooinek Pass in mountainous part near and
to the east of Laingsburg (Museum Expedition, October 1952) (3 holotype,
2 allotype and ¢ paratype).
Afroleptomydas thornt n.sp.
A single 3 specimen, from the Little Karoo, before me, is obviously very
near saeculus and sodalicus. From the ¢ of saeculus it differs in having distinctly
and proportionally longer antennae, much longer than thorax (excluding
scutellum), segment 3 being proportionally longer, with only its apical fourth
152 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
segment-like, and with the club very much longer, elongate and only slightly
shorter than segment 3 and more gradually narrowed basally; a relatively longer
proboscis which is much longer than thorax (excluding scutellum) ; a clypeus;
less darkened above; slightly more extensively yellowish on sides of tergite 1
and extreme sides of basal angles of 2-5 also more yellowish; hind margins of
tergites 2-5 whitish; denser longish hairs on sides of tergite 3 and also rather
longish ones on sides of 4 and 5; darker veins in wings; lower surfaces of
femora paler, more markedly delimited from upper darker parts; relatively
shorter hairs on femora; distinctly more thickened hind femora; relatively
shorter spicules and spurs on hind tibiae; blunter and more rounded posterior
angles of lobes of tergite g; and more S-curved and relatively shorter processes
(text-fig. 4, bottom left) of sternite 9 which are also more rapidly narrowed to
apical slender part.
From ¢ of sodalicus it may at once be distinguished by the more yellowish
clypeus; more slender and relatively shorter proboscis, with smaller labella;
more conical antennal clubs, only gradually narrowed to base and which are
only a little shorter than segment 3; hind margins of tergites 2-5 (not 2-4)
whitish; slightly more widely separated bullae; slightly denser hairs, denser
hairs on sides of tergite 3 and longish ones also on sides of 4 and 5; relatively
sparser, short hairs on rest of abdomen; shorter and less dense hairs on femora;
paler yellowish on lower faces of femora which is more markedly delimited
from darker upper parts; relatively shorter apical spurs on hind tibiae; and in
having the apical slender part of processes of sternite 9, in side view, more
rapidly delimited above, and lobes of tergite 9g less produced (cf. top and
lower figures in text-fig. 4 on left).
Single ¢ holotype in the South African Museum.
Length of body: about 18 mm
Length of wing: about 12 mm
Distribution: Little Karoo: between Oudtshoorn and Zebra (Museum
Expedition, October 1951). (Named after the late Mr. C. Thorn who was a
technical assistant in the South African Museum and who collected it).
Afroleptomydas rusticanus n.sp.
A smallish, slightly variable, Karoo species very near and almost indis-
tinguishable superficially from humeralis from which it, however, differs in the
following combination of characters:
Body also mainly black; humeral tubercles piceous brownish or dark
reddish brownish, not yellowish; sides of thorax dark or black in both sexes;
pteropleural, metapleural and posterior episternal parts less extensively yellow-
ish or darker, especially in 3, or only yellowish in episternal part; sides of
tergites 1 and 2 less extensively yellowish, only so in part along extreme sides;
bullae black, not orange or orange brownish, much smaller in 9 than in g and
very much smaller than in 9 humeralis, very widely spaced in 9; dorsum or discal
parts of tergites 2-6 (confined to narrow middle of 5 and 6) in 2 sometimes
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 153
ochreous to a variable extent as in braunsi and sodalicus; hind margin of tergite 1
reddish brownish, especially in 9, those of 2-5 in ¢ narrowly yellowish whitish,
and those of 2-6 (or discally also on 7) in @ broadly yellowish, sometimes
broader discally on 2-5; venter as in humeralis, pale basally, dark in apical half
or more, the hind margins of sternites, corresponding to those of tergites,
yellowish whitish, though apparently more completely so in 9 than in humeralis;
legs on the whole darker, more castaneous brownish than yellowish, only the
tibiae more yellowish.
Integument with the same parts shining, and pattern of shiny dark and dull
greyish whitish tomentum in ¢ very similar; striae on abdomen in 9 relatively
less coarse.
Vestiture with the longish hairs on body distributed in same way, but
distinctly and relatively shorter and slightly less dense, also entirely snow
whitish; shorter ones on abdomen in ¢ distinctly less dense than in humeralis;
the two submedial bare streaks on thorax above narrower.
Head with the antennae usually a little longer than thorax (excluding
scutellum), but proportionally shorter than in humeralis; segment 1 a little more
than 3 times length of 1, not or scarcely thickened, less so than in latter species;
segment 3 proportionally much shorter than in humeralis, pyriform, its basal
constricted part relatively much shorter; proboscis as long as, or a little longer
than, thorax, markedly more slender than in Aumeralis, its labella comparatively
very much smaller, narrower; palps distinct, longer than antennal segment 2;
postvertical spines feeble, even in 9.
Wings as in humeralis, clear or hyaline in 4g, slightly tinted yellowish
brownish in 9; veins also reddish brownish, and venational characters the same.
Legs with slightly longer hairs on femora; hind femora much less thickened
than in humeralis; basal segment of hind tarsi a little longer than claw-segment.
Oviscape in 2 with 6 or 7 spines on side.
Hypopygium of 3 with sternite g not or scarcely transversely wrinkled
basally, its processes, in side view (text-fig. 4, middle middle), slightly less
S-curved than in humeralis, more gradually narrowed apically, less curved
upwards apically and slightly blunter.
From 1 g and 2 99 in the South African Museum.
Length of body: about 13-16 mm
Length of wing: about 9:75-11:5 mm
Distribution: Karoo: Richmond district (Museum staff, November 1939)
(3 holotype, 9 allotype, and 9 paratype).
The abdomen in the 2 paratype is not ochreous above, but black.
Afroleptomydas microareolatus n.sp.
Another species from Willowmore, represented in the collections by a
single 2 specimen only, which also has the dorsum of the abdomen ochreous
yellowish or orange yellowish in part as in 9 of braunsi, and with which latter
species from the same region it may be easily confused. It, however, differs
154 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
from braunsi as follows:
Body similarly coloured, but clypeus more reddish brownish yellowish;
humeral tubercles dark; sides of thorax above black, not dark reddish; meta-
pleural part in front of halteres more reddish brownish than yellowish; abdomen
above, on at least tergites 3-5, more extensively ochreous- or orange yellowish,
even more so than in the next species, the black spots or patches on sides smaller
than in braunsi, confined to extreme sides, and tergite 2 also blackened across
base, but 6 as in 9 braunsi s.str. with a discal spot near apex which is, however,
smaller; hind margins of only tergites 2-4 (not 2-6) yellowish, but discally
almost indistinguishable from the ochreous yellowish, but on sides appearing
whitish only on sides of 2-4 and not 2-5 or 6 as in braunsi; bullae also yellowish
brownish; legs, however, much darker, entirely dark reddish brownish.
Integument of head as in braunsi, with only middle part of frons, head below
and to a lesser extent clypeus shining; integument of thorax above dull, with
slightly coarser areolar microsculpture; entire pleurae less shining, duller, due
to distinct or more evident areolar microsculpture than in braunsi, in which
species the anterior lower part is distinctly smoother and more shining and the
rest covered with greyish tomentum; scutellum dull, not shining; abdomen on
the whole less shining or only subshining, due to distinct, minute, areolar micro-
sculpture, and with slightly coarser, transverse striation across last three or four
segments; venter more coarsely transversely wrinkled; legs also duller than in
braunsi, also due to distinct, fine, areolar microsculpture.
Vestiture distinctly shorter and less dense than in braunsi, especially on disc
of thorax, pleural parts and more especially on legs, but also rather dense on
tergite 1 and sides basally of 2; sparse hairs on tergites 3-5 also very short
discally, but longer on sides; hairs on head and body mainly snow whitish, but
those in two broadish submedial streaks on thorax above tinted slightly yellowish
in certain lights, and the reversed ones on last three abdominal segments darker
than in braunsi, more dark brownish or almost black; hairs on legs markedly
short and sparse, the hind tibiae on inner side with sparse longish hairs which
are, however, not so long and dense as in braunsi, all the hairs mainly greyish
whitish, but those on lower apical part of front tibiae and on tarsi below darker;
spines on hind femora yellowish reddish and spicules on tibiae and tarsi more
reddish brownish.
Head with the antennae shorter than in braunsi, shorter than thorax
(excluding scutellum) ; segment 1 more thickened, about 3-3 times length of 2;
segment 3 more coarsely subannulated, more stoutish, with only about one-fifth
of its apex thickened, only a little longer than club; latter more conical or more
gradually thickened than in braunsi, its base also constricted; proboscis relatively
stouter, subequal in length to antennae, about 3:8 mm, the fine striation on
labella slightly coarser than in braunsi, without any longish hairs at base of
proboscis below; palps minute, very much shorter than in braunsi, not much
longer than antennal segment 2, dark-haired apically; postvertical spines
distinct, stoutish, reddish brownish.
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 155
Wings distinctly tinted yellowish brownish, due more to infusions along
veins opposite base of third vein to near apex and also along lower vein of
second basal cell; veins darker, reddish brownish; other venational characters
as in braunsi; halteres brownish.
Legs stouter than in braunsz; hind femora distinctly more thickened, less
slender basally, their double row of spines below stouter, beginning nearer base;
hind tibiae stouter, armed with fewer spicules in apical half below; basal seg-
ment of hind tarsi also longer than claw-segment.
Oviscape with about 8 darker spines on a side, and with darker, more
blackish, longer and slightly denser, bristly elements on the two genital and anal
pads.
The 9 holotype in the Transvaal Museum.
Length of body: about 21 mm
Length of wing: about 15 mm
Distribution: Southern Karoo: Willowmore (Dr. Brauns, 20th November
1920).
Afroleptomydas microreticulatus n.sp.
This species, unfortunately represented by ¢g only in the collections before,
characterized by an entirely dull abdomen, finely micro-areolate pleurae and
bullae as in 9 of microareolatus, apparently comes in the subsection in which the
$3 are characterized by the dull abdomen and dark, basal, discal patches
on tergites. Specifically, however, it is very near the preceding species
microareolatus, of which only the 2 is known. It is characterized as follows:
Body mainly dark or black; clypeus to a variable extent somewhat obscurely
reddish brownish on sides; humeral tubercles rather convex, a little dilated,
appearing large, entirely dark like rest of thorax above; metapleural part
around halteres, suture and extreme upper margins of sternopleural and hypo-
pleural parts to a certain and variable extent, broad sides of tergite 1 and base
laterally of 2 yellowish brownish or reddish brownish; bullae light reddish to
reddish brownish; hind margins of tergites 2-4 or 5 (or sides of 5) yellowish
whitish, their basal borders sometimes tending to be obscurely orange brownish;
venter dark or blackish, the hind margins of sternites 1-4 obscurely yellowish,
more distinct on sides, and bases laterally of 3-6 obscurely yellowish brownish;
legs mainly dark, the front and middle femora reddish brownish along outer
lower aspect, and hind ones also reddish brownish below and along inner lower
part as are the front and middle tibiae along outer part and hind ones along
inner aspect and all the tarsi.
Integument of middle part of frons, head below and extreme bases of tergite
on sides more or less shining; thorax above, scutellum, metanotum and abdo-
men, including discal parts of tergites 1 and 2, mainly dull; abdomen, apart
from very fine areolar microsculpture and aciculate puncturation, with slightly
less than apical halves of tergites 3-7, as well as most of their sides, covered with
greyish tomentum, leaving the basal discal parts dark or with dark tomentum;
156 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
pleurae slightly dulled by very fine reticulate or areolar microsculpture;
bullae also finely or microscopically areolate as rest of abdomen; integument of
legs also mainly dull.
Vestiture with the hairs on head, sides of thorax above, pleural parts, tergite
1 and sides of 2, sides of 3 to a much lesser extent, hind coxae and base of venter
longish and entirely snow whitish; shortish hairs in three discal streaks on thorax
whitish and slightly yellowish or greyish yellowish in certain lights, those at
base of thorax whitish; shortish hairs on rest of abdomen above whitish, but
those on basal discal patches, from tergite 3 at least, appearing dark, but with a
yellowish or slightly fulvous yellowish to fulvous brownish tint in certain lights;
hairs on hypopygium almost fulvous brownish; those on legs short and not very
dense, with rather sparse longish ones along inner aspect of hind tibiae, and with
all the hairs on legs whitish; spines and spicules on legs blackish brown.
Head with a few darkish postvertical spines; antennae longer than thorax
(excluding scutellum); segment 1 slightly thickened, about 2-5-2-9 times
length of 2; segment 3 distinctly longer than club and slightly longer than
interocular space on vertex; club elongate-pyriform, gradually broadened to
beyond middle, then more suddenly broadened, obliquely subtruncate apically
across sensory area, the latter sometimes somewhat sunk in, the base of club
shortly constricted; proboscis usually shorter than thorax, about 3-2-3-6 mm
long; palps minute.
Wings tinted smoky brownish in middle parts, more so along the veins and
even more distinctly so along veins at bases of second submarginal and first
posterior cells; veins dark blackish brownish; hind border of wings distinctly
narrower than first and third posterior cells; apex of discoidal cell shortly
stalked; halteres blackish brown, their knobs rather large, narrowed and
pointed in inner apical aspect.
Legs with the hind femora distinctly thickened, slightly spindle-shaped,
their double row of rather shortish and blunt spines below blackish brownish,
beginning near base; hind tibiae curved apically, their spicules along apical
lower and outer parts longish and stoutish; basal segment of hind tarsi longer
than claw-segment.
Hypopygium with the lobes of tergite g slightly prolonged or produced
apically, their upper surface dulled by distinct areolar microsculpture; sternite 9
rather scoop-like, transversely striated and with fairly dense hairs on sides, its
processes, in side view (text-fig. 4, bottom middle), slightly S-curved, rapidly
narrowed, more so above (somewhat like those of thorni), to the more upcurved,
slender, apical part, bluntly pointed in dorsal view, with relatively dense and
longish hairs below; dorsal central epimere of aedeagal apparatus relatively long
and slender, projecting much beyond the two phallic tubes, and not much
broadened shoe-horn-like towards apex as in most species.
From 3 ¢¢ in the South African Museum.
Length of body: about 17-5-20-5 mm
Length of wing: about 12-13 mm
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 157
Distribution: South-western Cape: 18 miles east of Touws River along
railway line to Ladismith (South African Museum, December 1962) (holotype
on white flowers of a species of Mesembryanthemum, and 1 paratype); Ouberg
Pass south-east of Touws River (South African Museum, December 1962)
(1 paratype).
The fine reticulate or areolar microsculpture on the pleurae and abdomen
distinguishes this species from most others except the 9 of microareolatus from the
Little Karoo. The possibility that it may prove to be only the unknown ¢ of
microareolatus is not excluded, but the antennae are relatively longer, segment 3
being proportionally longer, and the proboscis is shorter. Moreover, there are
very few mydaids with such a widely separated distribution.
From the $¢ of other species, such as opacicinctus, flavigenualis and koupicolus,
which also have the entire abdomen above, including the discal parts of tergites
1 and 2, dull, it may at once be distinguished by the fine reticulate microsculp-
ture on pleurae and abdomen, the distinctly more thickened hind femora, the
more tinted wings, and the more S-curved processes of sternite 9.
Afroleptomydas flavidorsalis n.sp.
This is a Transvaal species in which the 9 has the dorsum of the abdomen
ochreous or pale yellowish brownish as in braunsi, sodalicus and microareolatus.
It, however, resembles braunsi more than the other two species, and the unique 2
specimen in the collections before me differs from the latter in the following
respects:
Body similarly coloured, but yellowish reddish on sides of thorax above
slightly broader; pteropleuron, metapleural part in front of halteres and adja-
cent posterior metapleural and metasternal parts more extensively yellowish
reddish; abdomen with the ochreous-yellowish or brownish above relatively
more extensive, almost equally extensive on tergites 3-5, not present only dis-
cally on 5 as in braunsi, but absent discally on 6, the black spots on sides of 3—5
distinctly smaller; hind margin of tergite 1 distinctly yellowish reddish and
those of 2-6 more broadly yellowish; hind margins of sternites slightly more
broadly yellowish whitish on sides and that on sides of 6 also more distinctly
whitish; bullae narrower, almost black, and shining; legs also mainly yellowish
brownish, but femora more extensively darkened above and hind tibiae slightly
more brownish, and last tarsal segment darker above.
Integument of pleurae distinctly duller, entirely covered with greyish whitish
tomentum, even anteriorly below, a part which is shining in braunsi; scutellum
dull like thorax above, not shining as in braunsi; abdomen, however, also mainly
shining.
Vestiture distinctly very much shorter and less dense, especially the hairs in
5 streaks on thorax above, on pleurae, base of abdomen and on legs; the hairs,
as in braunsi, mainly whitish, but very short ones on disc of thorax tinted slightly
more greyish yellowish; reversed ones on last three abdominal segments also
yellowish brownish or fulvous brownish, but slightly less dense and shorter;
158 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
those on legs much shorter than in braunsz, less dense, though similarly greyish
whitish; spines and spicules on legs also yellowish whitish.
Head with the antennae relatively longer and stouter, though shorter than
thorax (excluding scutellum), the thorax itself relatively longer than in braunsi;
segment 1 about 3-3 times length of 2; segment 3 relatively stouter and very
slightly longer than in braunsi, with its apical part slightly more thickened, the
segment also longer than club, but less so that in braunsi; club relatively more
elongate, its apical part distinctly more tapering or conical to the relatively
larger terminal prominence, not so subtruncate as in braunsi; proboscis much
shorter, only about 2-8 mm long, much shorter than thorax (longer than
thorax in braunsi), also with some longish hairs basally below, its labella not
finely striate, but microscopically scabrous and obliquely ridged in lower half;
palps relatively longer, more slender; postvertical spines as feebly developed as
in braunsi.
Wings distinctly tinged more smoky greyish, with darker veins and more
conspicuous or darker borders along those in middle; venation as in braunszv.
Legs with the hind femora slightly more thickened and with slightly more
numerous spines below; beginning nearer base; basal segment of hind tarsi
relatively shorter, subequal in length to, or even slightly shorter than, claw-
segment.
Oviscape with only about 7 much darker spines on a side.
From 1 @ holotype in the Transvaal Museum.
Length of body: about 18 mm
Length of wing: about 15 mm
Distribution: Transvaal: Pretoria North (G. van Son, September 1935).
Afroleptomydas rubellus n.sp.
Leptomydas ? flavirostris (3) Bezzi, 1924b: 215. (n.syn.)
Leptomydas humeralis (2) Bezzi (nec Gerstaecker) in part, 1924): 211. (n.syn.)
A ¢ and a Q specimen in the South African Museum, which I take to
belong to the same species, constitute another distinct species very near hume-
ralis. The 3, without any locality-label, was questionably referred to flavirostris
and the 9 specimen, from Triangle, was referred to and labelled as humeralis
(Gerst.) by Bezzi. These specimens, however, differ from humeralis in the fol-
lowing respects:
Body with the abdomen, especially in 9, rather more slender, the last seg-
ment being longer and more slender than in 9 humeralis; body-colour mainly
reddish brownish, only central part of frons, sides of face, thorax above, medial
and sublateral infusions of metanotum and, in Q, also discal part of tergite 1,
dark or blackish; two central bare streaks on thorax above, especially in 9,
obscurely reddish to a variable extent; humeral tubercles more reddish than
yellowish, more like sides of thorax; pteropleural, metapleural and posterior
episternal parts, sides of tergites 1 and 2 yellowish as in humeralis, or at least
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 159
paler than rest of integument; hind margin of tergite 1 reddish, those of 2-4
and obscurely on 5 in ¢ yellowish whitish and those of 2—5 (and more narrowly
and obscurely on 6 and 7) in Q broadly yellowish whitish; bullae in ¢ dark
brownish, not orange or reddish, and in 9 dark blackish brown; entire or greater
part of venter unicolorous reddish brownish or yellowish brownish, not so
contrastingly paler basally.
Integument with the same parts, as in Aumeralis, shining and in 3g with a
similar pattern on abdomen; transverse striae on abdomen in Q, especially
posteriorly, distinctly less coarse than in humeralis.
Vestiture with the hairs as long and as dense as in humeralis, also snow whitish,
but with the two submedial bare streaks on thorax above distinctly narrower.
Head with the antennae unfortunately missing in the two specimens;
proboscis, however, distinctly more slender, a little shorter than thorax, its
labella smaller and narrower than in humeralis, more like that of rusticanus.
Wings in both specimens greyish hyaline; venation as in humeralts.
Legs mainly yellowish, the femora not or scarcely darkened above; hind
femora distinctly less thickened than in humeralis; other leg-characters the same.
Oviscape in 2 with 7, more slender, yellowish spines on a side.
Hypopygium of 3 very similar to that of humeralis, but sternite 9 distinctly
less conically pointed apically, broader, blunter, more truncate, without any
transverse wrinkles, its processes (cf. text-fig 4, middle right with text fig. 3,
bottom middle) relatively shorter, in side view proportionally broader basally,
with relatively fewer hairs below; lobes of tergite 9 less produced apically.
Length of body: about 14°5-17-5 mm
Length of wing: about 10-12 mm
Distribution: South-western Koup Karoo: Triangle (January 1885)
(2 allotype). The 3 holotype without locality-label, but judging from the age of
the specimen and the special type of mounting-pin used, presumably from the
same region.
Afroleptomydas paganus (Gerst.)
Leptomydas paganus Gerstaecker, 1868: 84.
Afroleptomydas paganus Bequaert, 19610: 14.
? Afroleptomydas bezzianus Bequaert, 1963: 26, figs 4D and 7C.
Gerstaecker described this species from a single 3 specimen without any
reference to a definite locality, but reputed as coming from South Africa and
collected by Drege. Subsequently Bezzi referred a § and 9 from Cape Town
and Stellenbosch respectively and another ¢ from Okiep in Namaqualand to
this species. Not one of these specimens agrees with Gerstaecker’s fairly good
description of the 3. Moreover, Bezzi’s three specimens do not belong to the
same species, but to three entirely different species which are described in
this revision as capicolus, patruelis and namaquensis respectively. The only speci-
mens in the collections before me which agree in main essentials with Ger-
160 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
staecker’s description of the species and which are referable to paganus s.str.
come from the Eastern Province. These constitute material from the coastal
regions, from Wilderness eastwards to Port Elizabeth and beyond. As Drége
was known to have collected many plants and insects in the eastern Cape
Province, especially around Port Elizabeth, the logical supposition is that
Gerstaecker’s g specimen was also collected in that area. Apparently this
species is more or less restricted to the coastal parts and coastal sand-dunes
of the eastern Cape and does not appear to occur more inland even within the
area of its distribution. From the series of both gg and 99 before me it is also
evident that the species is subject to slight local and environmental variation.
This species was designated by Bequaert in 19610 as the type-species of his
new South African genus Afroleptomydas to which all the species of Leptomydas
in southern Africa are now referred.
To include the as yet undescribed 2 and the slight variational differences of
the 3, the following supplementary redescription of the species is given as
follows:
Body mainly dark or black, but more often with much reddish- or yellowish
brownish; the following parts yellowish, yellowish- or reddish brownish: entire
or greater part of clypeus, in some 99 head below to a variable extent, proboscis
below in 9, humeral tubercles, broadish sides of thorax above (broader in Q),
two submedial discal streaks (broader in 9), sometimes hind margin of scutel-
lum, to a variable extent or even greater part of metanotum in some 99, pleurae
or parts of these to a variable extent (sometimes entire or greater part of
pleurae dark or more dark castaneous or blackish brownish), sides anteriorly
of tergite 1, sometimes to a variable extent extreme sides of 2-4 in ¢ and 2-6
in 9 or even to apex in both sexes, and basal part or half of venter to a variable
extent; abdomen sometimes, especially in 99, dark castaneous or reddish
brownish; hind margins of tergites 2—5 in 3, sometimes to a fainter and narrower
extent also on 6, and 2-5 (or 6) in 9 yellowish whitish or ivory yellowish; hind
margins of sternites 1-3 (or 4) also pallid, more evident on sides; bullae bean-
shaped to hemispherical, smaller in 9, reddish to reddish brownish, separated
above in ¢ by a space broader or much broader than vertical length of bullae,
very broadly separated in Q; legs varying from pale yellowish brownish, reddish
brownish, brownish to dark brownish, the tibiae in the latter case paler, the
femora sometimes appearing darker above.
Integument of middle part of frons, clypeal part of face, scutellum, tergite 1
on sides and across depression between tergites 1 and 2 in both sexes, and in 9
to a great extent abdomen above and below, shining, in 3 mainly dull; integu-
ment of abdomen in Q finely transversely wrinkled, more coarsely and con-
spicuously so on last three segments.
Vestiture with the tomentum greyish whitish on vertex, sides of frons,
occiput, sides of thorax and two submedial streaks above, sometimes confluent
posteriorly, as well as a thin central stripe in both sexes, but more conspicuous
in Q; in Q also with greyish bloom on scutellum and metanotum; in both sexes
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 161
with greyish tomentum on pleural and sternal parts; abdomen in ¢ with broad,
dull, black, discal patches in basal halves or more of at least tergites 2-6, and
rest of surface of tergites with faint greyish tomentum; abdomen in @ with a
conspicuous pattern of greyish whitish tomentum across disc of tergite 1, half-
moon-shaped ones discally on 2-4 and on disc basally of 5, and with the half-
moon-shaped greyish patches on 2—4 surrounding a dull, darker or black, basal,
discal patch, but along middle line usually extending slightly basalwards into
the black basal patch; hairs on head, sides and base of thorax, sides of metano-
tum, propleural tubercle, upper hinder corner of mesopleuron, on pteropleuron,
on tubercle in front of halteres, metasternum, tergite 1, sides of 2 and to a lesser
extent those of 3 and basal part of venter in ¢ much longer and denser than on
same parts in 9, and whitish; those on head in 9 longer than on rest of its body,
and whitish as in 3; hairs on antennal segments 1 and 2, especially above, dark
or blackish in both sexes; postvertical row of spines on each side well developed,
brownish; streaks of short hairs on disc of thorax brownish to fulvous brownish
in both sexes, though sometimes more whitish, especially in 3; hairs on extreme
sides of tergites from 3 posteriorly and sometimes across their hinder parts,
as well as those on genitalia, and to a variable extent on posterior half of venter
in § whitish and gleaming; fine ones on dark discal patches and on greater discal
parts of tergites 2-8 above, or sometimes even on entire tergites from 3 pos-
teriorly and sometimes on all or most of those on sternites 5—7 (or 8) in ¢ black
or dark; fine and much sparser hairs on abdomen in 9, reversed from tergite 3 to
apex, but longer on last two segments, gleaming pale or whitish; hairs on legs
longer and denser in 3, more so on femora, those on hind femora above and
below and on sides of other femora more whitish, and those on front and middle
femora above appearing darker; shorter ones on sides of hind femora with a
slightly more sericeous yellowish or yellowish sheen; shorter hairs on legs in 9 with
a more yellowish sheen; spines and spicules of legs reddish to reddish brownish.
Head (cf. text-fig. 7, left) with the antennae much shorter than thorax
(excluding scutellum), relatively stoutish; segment 1 about or a little more
than 2 times length of 2; segment 3 relatively shortish, stoutish, thickened seg-
ment-like apically, subequal in length to, or a little shorter than, or sometimes
a little longer than, club; latter sub-pyriform, basally only very shortly or
scarcely perceptibly constricted, apically more rapidly obliquely sloping
upwards; proboscis relatively shortish, not, scarcely, or only a little, longer than
front tarsi and claws, with distinct hairs basally below, its labella ovate to
slightly pointed, about half, or a little less than half, length of rest of proboscis;
palps shorter in J, but in 9 quite as long as antennal segment 2; postvertical
spines well developed in both sexes.
Wings rather shortish, hyaline or scarcely greyish hyaline in 3, but in 9
usually more greyish, appearing slightly more tinted, due to faint diffused
fuscous borders along veins in middle part up to base of second submarginal cell;
veins either yellowish brownish or dark, usually darker in 9; knobs of halteres
dark.
162 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
Legs with the hind femora thickened in both sexes, their double row of
spines below beginning much before middle; spicules on hind tibiae strongly
developed, especially in 9; basal segment of hind tarsi longer than claw-
segment, especially in 9.
Oviscape in 2 with 7 or 8 flattened, yellowish brownish to brownish spines
on a side (one side often with one spine less than the other side).
LLL).
CERES
(ZEB YZ,
LEE _ Fic. 5. Side view of hypopygium of $ Afrolepto-
Sg mydas paganus (Gerst.).
ZG;
Hypopygium of 3 (text-fig. 5) with the lobes of tergite 9 triangular, rather
sharply pointed posteriorly, slightly more produced in some 34, their inner
margins meeting in the middle at almost, or quite, a right angle; sternite 9
conical, narrowed and bluntly rounded posteriorly, with long hairs or dense
tufts, its processes, in side view, rather rapidly narrowed apically, slightly
S-curved, with a little more than apical third bent upwards, in dorsal view blade-
like, flattened, bluntly rounded apically, slightly longitudinally grooved above
and more so below; aedeagal apparatus typically three-pronged, the two phallic
tubes rather long and almost parallel.
From a fairly long series of ¢¢ and 99 in the South African Museum,
Transvaal Museum, Natal Museum, Albany Museum, and University of
Stellenbosch. ;
Length of body: about 11-5-20-25 mm
Length of wing: about 8-12-5 mm
Distribution: East Cape: Great Brak River (February); Wilderness (Jan-
uary); Jeffrey’s Bay (December and January); Papiesfontein near Gamtoos
River mouth (January); Van Staden’s River mouth near Port Elizabeth
(January); Port Elizabeth (January); Swartkops (November and December) ;
Bushman’s River mouth (December); Port Alfred (February); Kleinemonde;
and Kasouga (January).
Two 3 specimens, from the collections of the late Dr. Brauns, in the Trans-
vaal Museum and labelled ‘Willowmore (xi, 1919)’ are obviously wrongly
labelled, for from this very large series of 33 and 99 in the collections before me
not a single specimen was collected elsewhere than among vegetation on the
coastal dunes. The late Dr. Brauns collected the same species at the same time
at Swartkops (‘See-Diinen’) near Port Elizabeth and confusion of labels may
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 163
easily have taken place.
The species bezzianus, described from Mossel Bay by Bequaert (1963: 26,
figs 4D and 7C), appears to me to be only a variant of this variable coastal
species. His 3 paratype, from Lourenco Marques (collected by H. A. Junod),
either belongs to the very closely related species described below by me as
inhacae from Inhaca Island or, if this specimen is in fact conspecific with
bezzianus, a wrong locality label has been pinned on to it. The majority of
South African species of Afroleptomydas are remarkably circumscribed in their
distribution, and it is most unlikely that a species occurring at Mossel Bay would
also be found at Lourenco Marques.
Afroleptomydas inhacae n.sp.
This species, from Inhaca Island in Portuguese East Africa, resembles
paganus (Gerst.) from the eastern Cape and like it is a coastal form and probably
restricted to a sand-dune coastal environment. It is characterized as follows:
Body mainly dark, the pleurae and abdomen to a variable extent more
castaneous brownish or, in 9, sometimes even yellowish brownish; antennae
brownish or blackish brown to black, sometimes paler, more yellowish brownish
in 9, the clubs more reddish brownish to dark reddish in middle part; clypeus
reddish brownish, especially on sides, and vertex laterally in 2 usually also
reddish brownish; humeral tubercles yellowish; sides of thorax, postalar calli
and two discal streaks on thorax yellowish brownish or reddish brownish to a
variable extent, though in J the two discal streaks more often obscure, indistinct
or absent; pteropleural, metapleural and metasternal parts tending to be slightly
paler, more yellowish brownish than rest of pleurae; metanotum dark in d,
more reddish brownish to a variable extent or even extensively yellowish
brownish in Q; sides basally of tergite 1 or, in 9, sometimes entire sides of 1,
sides basally or 2 or more often entire sides of 2, and to a variable extent sides of
3 and 4 or even some of rest, also tending to be paler yellowish brownish; hind
margins of tergites 2-6 whitish or yellowish whitish, broader and more con-
spicuous in 9, and 6 in g usually very narrow; bullae shining black, widely
separated above in both sexes, though tending to be wider in 9; venter yellowish
brownish to reddish brownish, becoming darker in apical half; extreme sides of
hind margins of sternites 1-6 also yellowish whitish to a variable extent; apices
of lobes of tergite 9 and apical halves of processes of sternite 9 in ¢ yellowish
brownish; legs yellowish brownish to castaneous brownish, the femora appearing
as if darkened above.
Integument of central part of frons, to a certain extent across vertex, clypeus,
proboscis, and below buccal cavity shining; rest of head dull, due to dense
greyish whitish tomentum; that of thorax above leathery, with fine, sparse,
setiferous puncturation, and with 5 streaks of dull greyish whitish tomentum,
the central one narrow; scutellum shining; pleurae and coxae mainly dulled by
fine, greyish whitish bloom, less dense and more shiny obliquely anteriorly;
metanotum mainly dulled by greyish whitish bloom; abdomen in ¢ shining on
164. ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
sides of tergite 1 and across junction between 1 and Q, the rest dulled mainly by
greyish whitish tomentum, replaced discally across more than basal halves of
tergites 2-6 and base above of 7 by saddle-shaped patches of black tomentum
which are narrowed on sides and do not reach margins, and in addition with
fine, evenly separated, setiferous puncturation on entire tergites; abdomen in 9
mainly shining, but tergites 1 and 2 (excepting a transverse, discal, basal,
bilobed, dark patch) and base of 3 discally dulled by greyish whitish tomentum,
the rest of tergites 4-8, especially 5-7, transversely striated; venter basally
shining in 3, but almost entirely so in 9, and in latter also with shining trans-
verse striation.
Vestiture with the hairs on head, sides of thorax, pleurae, metanotum,
tergite 1, sides of 2 and to a lesser extent sides of 3, and venter basally in 9
longish and fairly dense, in 9 shorter and sparser, with scarcely any longer ones
on sides of tergite 3; hairs on antennal segments 1 and 2 dark, those on frons in
front on sides of antennae, yellowish or slightly fulvous to a variable extent,
the rest of hairs whitish; postvertical spines also yellowish; hairs on thorax above
in 5 streaks, the central one narrowest, and on sides broadest and longest, mainly
whitish, though discal ones sometimes with a very slight sericeous yellowish
tint; those on pleurae, metanotum, tergite 1, sides of 2-4, venter in 9, and venter
basally in ¢, also whitish; short hairs on rest of abdomen in ¢ dark or black,
in 2 whitish, even reversed ones on segments 6-8; hairs on legs slightly longer
and denser in 3, with longish ones on hind femora basally, absent in 9, mainly
whitish, but those on outer part of hind femora and anterior faces of front and
middle ones in § appearing dark or yellowish, more whitish in 9; hairs on inner
lower aspect of tibiae, especially hind ones in J, also appearing dark; spines and
spicules more fulvous.
Head with the antennae only a little shorter than thorax (excluding
scutellum) ; segment 1 slightly thickened, about 2-6—3 times length of 2; seg-
ment 3 stoutish, a little less than its apical third thickened, and a little longer
than club; latter elongate-pyriform, thickest beyond middle, conical apically,
its base shortly constricted; proboscis shortish, much shorter than vertical
length of eyes, only about 1-36—1-72 mm, with some longish hairs basally below,
its labella oval, finely spinulate; palps distinct, short; postvertical spines present,
Wings in ¢ glassy hyaline, very faintly tinted slightly greyish yellowish in 9,
and with faint, scarcely perceptible, fuscous borders along veins; veins yellowish
brownish to brownish; first posterior cell opening fairly widely on costal margin ;
apex of discoidal cell stalked to a variable extent, the stalk sometimes rather
long, occasionally absent and apex meeting third posterior cell at a point; hind
border of wings opposite first posterior cell narrower than cell; knobs of halteres
brownish or dark above.
Legs with the hind femora slightly, but distinctly, thickened in both sexes,
their double row of spines below rather stoutish, separated, yellowish reddish or
fulvous, beginning just before middle; basal segment of hind tarsi distinctly
longer than claw-segment.
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 165
Oviscape in 2 with 7 or 8 yellowish or fulvous spines on a side.
Hypopygium of 3 with the lobes of tergite 9 triangular, angularly pointed
apically; sternite 9 conical, conically narrowed apically, in side view rather
truncate apically, its processes, in side view (text-fig. 4, bottom right), S-curved,
curved up apically, in dorsal view gradually narrowed apically, bluntly pointed.
From 10 gg and 6 99 (g holotype, 9 3 paratypes and 2 9 paratypes in the
Transvaal Museum, 9 allotype, 2 2 and 1 ¢ paratypes in the South African
Museum, and 1 2 paratype in the Natal Museum).
Length of body: about 15-18-5 mm
Length of wing: about 11-12-5 mm
Distribution: Portuguese East Africa: Inhaca Island (G. van Son, 20th—25th
September 1959) (¢ holotype, 5 3 paratypes and 1 2 paratype); Inhaca Island
(E. McC. Callan, December 1954) (2 allotype and 2 2 paratypes) and (K. Kniep)
(1 Q paratype); Inyack (Inhaca) Island (H. G. Breyer, September 1919)
(4d and 1 9 paratypes).
This species differs from the southern coastal form paganus in having rela-
tively longer antennae, segment 3 being proportionally longer; relatively shorter
and less dense hairs in 3, especially on abdomen and legs, and longer hairs in 9
than in 9 paganus; hairs on vertex and above base of antennae tinted slightly
more greyish yellowish and tomentum on frontal part more yellowish; black
discal patches on abdomen in $ smaller; the whitish tomentum broader, more
extensive; in having patches of greyish tomentum on tergites 1, 2 and base of
3 only in Q, not on 4 and 5 as well; hind margins of tergites 2-6 whitish; black
bullae; distinctly less thickened hind femora; less produced lobes of tergite 9
in g; and relatively shorter slender part of processes of sternite 9, which are
more sharply pointed in dorsal view.
Afroleptomydas pulverulentus n.sp.
Some palish, faded-looking, somewhat dust- or sand-covered 3 specimens
from South West Africa in the collections before me obviously belong to the
paganus and inhacae subsection of the humeralis group and may be considered as
an arenophilous South West African representative of these two coastal dune-
frequenting species. They are characterized as follows:
Body mainly yellowish brownish, appearing greyish brownish, due to
adhering dust or sand grains; antennae brownish, pale yellowish brownish to
almost yellowish; clypeus pale yellowish brownish; proboscis yellowish brown-
ish, only labella, as well as central part of frons, very dark blackish brownish;
thorax above brownish, with the sides, humeral tubercles, an infusion anteriorly
on inner side of tubercles, a submedial discal streak on each side, postalar calli
and a narrow transverse basal line in front of scutellum paler yellowish, sepa-
rating broadish darker almost blackish brown streaks; scutellum brownish to
castaneous brownish, its sides and hind border pale yellowish and foveae on
sides dark blackish brown or castaneous brownish; metanotum dark brownish,
slightly paler on sides; pteropleural, metapleural, posterior metapleural parts,
166 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
and to a certain extent metasternal part, paler, more yellowish than the yellowish
brownish rest of pleurae; sides basally of tergite 1, fairly broadish sides of 2,
3 and 4 more ochreous yellowish, merging into slightly paler yellowish brownish
sides of rest of tergites; abdomen above with disc of tergite 2 basally and discal,
saddle-shaped, basal patches on 3-6 (smallest on 6) very dark brown or blackish
brown, not reaching sides; hind margins of tergites 2-4 (or 5), and sometimes
to an obscure or lesser extent 6 and 7, whitish; bullae pale orange brownish,
rather widely separated above; venter pale yellowish brownish to almost
ochreous brownish basally, becoming more yellowish brownish or brownish
apically; hind margins of sternite 1 to about 5 whitish only on extreme sides;
processes of sternite 9 darkened to a variable extent along their upper basal
parts; legs pale yellowish brownish.
Integument of central part of frons, to a certain extent clypeus, proboscis,
and to a certain extent sides of tergites 1 and 2 shining; rest of body mainly dull,
due to greyish or greyish whitish tomentum.
Vestiture with the hairs longish and fairly dense, and snow whitish on head,
sides and base of thorax above, sides of metanotum, pleurae, tergite 1, sides of 2,
extreme sides of 3, base of venter, coxae and basally above on hind femora;
hairs on antennal segments 1 and 2 dark brownish; those on thorax above in
streaks, the shorter ones in discal streaks more fulvous; short hairs on abdomen
not very dense, except on extreme sides, mainly dark up to tergite 7; those at
extremity of abdomen and hypopygium paler, very pale greyish yellowish or
sericeous yellowish; hairs on venter sometimes with darkish ones on sternites
5-7, otherwise pale; those on legs shortish, not very dense, with longish ones
only on inner and upper basal half of hind femora, and some sparse longish ones
on inner parts of hind tibiae, with all the hairs on legs mainly whitish; spines on
femora dark reddish and spicules on tibiae and tarsi more fulvous reddish.
Head with the antennae relatively short, distinctly shorter than thorax;
segment I not much thickened, about 2-6—2-8 times length of 2; segment 3
relatively short, only a very little more than three times length of segment 1,
subequal in length to, or a little shorter than, club, a little less than its apical
third thickened; club subspindle-shaped or slightly elongate-pyriform, thickened
slightly beyond middle; its extreme base constricted; proboscis shortish, less
than vertical length of eyes, only about 1-48—1-8 mm, with some longish hairs
basally below; postvertical spines present, bristle-like.
Wings distinctly subopaquely whitish, appearing dull greyish whitish;
veins pallid or pale yellowish; appendix at base of second submarginal cell
tending to be short; apex of discoidal cell shortly stalked; alula and axillary
lobe normally broad; knobs of halteres oval, brownish above.
Legs with the hind femora distinctly thickened, spindle-shaped, their
double row of spines below from near base; basal segment of hind tarsi subequal
in length to claw-segment; hind claws more sickle-shaped than middle and front
ones.
Hypopygium with the lobes of tergite g narrowed and produced in apical
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 167
part, bluntly angularly pointed; sternite 9 conical, transversely wrinkled
basally and more obliquely longitudinally in apical half, its processes, in side
view, S-curved, the apical part slender, curved upwards, in dorsal view only
gradually narrowed apically, bluntly rounded apically; aedeagal apparatus
with the central epimere narrowish, and the phallic tube rather long, appearing
distinctly truncated apically.
From 4 ¢¢ (holotype and 3 paratypes in the Transvaal Museum and 1
paratype in the South African Museum).
Length of body: about 13-5-17 mm
Length of wing: about 10-11-5 mm
Distribution: South West Africa (Museum Expedition, March 1923),
without any more definite locality-label, but according to Dr. Van Son of the
Transvaal Museum these specimens may have been collected by the son of
Dr. H. G. Breyer who was stationed at Namutoni near the Etosha Pan in
Ovamboland.
This species may at once be distinguished from paganus by the paler, more
yellowish brownish or paler brownish body; proportionally shorter antennal
segment 3 which is more often shorter than club; hind margins of tergites 2-6
(or even 7) yellowish whitish and not only 2-5; the markedly subopaquely
whitish wings; more yellowish brownish or cinnamon brownish discal hairs on,
thorax above and on abdomen above; paler more yellowish reddish or reddish
spines on hind femora below; and relatively shorter, more rapidly narrowed
(side view), less slender, and in ventral view slightly broader processes of sternite
g in the ¢.
From the 3 of inhacae it may be distinguished by the shorter antennae;
shorter legs of which the hind femora are distinctly more thickened and more
spindle-shaped, not so clavately as in inhacae; much paler bullae; and the
markedly subopaquely whitish wings.
Afroleptomydas opacus (Bezz.) n.comb.
Leptomydas opacus Bezzi, 19245: 213.
This slightly variable Eastern Province species resembles paganus super-
ficially. As in the case of the latter, representatives (only 3) of it were also
obtained by members of the South African Museum on their collecting trip
to Port Elizabeth and its surroundings. In the collections before me there are
also some 33 from the Transvaal Museum, collected by the late Dr. Brauns
near Willowmore. Bezzi’s description was based on a single § specimen. In
addition to the ¢¢ there is also in the collections of the Transvaal Museum a
somewhat damaged 9 specimen from the Albany district, which I believe to
be the as yet unknown 9 of this species. Unlike paganus, this species does not
usually frequent the coastal dune regions, but more often appears to occur more
inland in open patches in forested or shrub-covered parts.
Supplementing Bezzi’s original description of the unique ¢ type, adding
168 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
the characters of the 9, and comparing it with paganus, this species is charac-
terized as follows:
Body with the head, dorsum of thorax and metanotum mainly black, the
pleurae mainly yellowish brownish or reddish brownish and abdomen mainly
dark castaneous brownish (in g sometimes very dark blackish brownish) above,
slightly paler on sides and paler, more yellowish brownish or reddish brownish
on venter, darker posteriorly in g; antennae dark, dark reddish brownish, the
clubs in middle more dark reddish; clypeus brownish to a variable extent in
3, especially on sides, more yellowish in 9, the rims in buccal cavity on sides of
proboscis more consistently blackish; proboscis in g mainly black, in 9 paler
reddish brownish below; humeral tubercles yellowish in both sexes as in
paganus, and infusion around them yellowish reddish, fairly extensive on inner
sides of the tubercles, extending broadly on sides of thorax to opposite wing-
bases, then more narrowly; postalar calli also yellowish reddish; hind margin
of scutellum in 2 dark reddish; metanotum mainly black in J, the sides, how-
ever, sometimes obscurely dark reddish brownish, especially in 9; posterior
metapleural part below halteres and metasternal part usually paler, more
yellowish to a variable extent than rest of pleurae; sides of tergite 1, sometimes
only in hinder half, and sides of 2 and 3 or 2—4 and to a variable extent extreme
sides of rest yellowish or paler yellowish brownish than discally; hind margin of
tergite 1 dark or dark reddish in ¢, more distinctly reddish brownish in 9, and
those of 2-5 (and 6 obscurely) in 3 narrowly yellowish whitish to a variable
extent as in paganus, and those of 2—5 in 2 more broadly ring-like yellowish, but,
unlike paganus, obscure and narrow on sides, and with that of 6 in 9 narrowly
obscurely pale; bullae paler than in faganus, more orange yellowish to orange
brownish, smaller in 9, more narrowly separated above in ¢ than in paganus,
by a space subequal to, or slightly narrower than, vertical length of bullae;
hind margins of sternites 1-5 in g and 1-4 in Q pallid or yellowish whitish on
sides to a variable extent, and bases of sternites also pale, pallid or yellowish;
hypopygium of 3 mainly yellowish brownish or reddish brownish below; legs
mainly yellowish brownish, castaneous brownish, or reddish brownish, some-
times very dark in 3, the front and middle tibiae and tarsi sometimes slightly
darker brownish, and apical margins of tarsal segments usually dark, with the
upper faces of femora sometimes darkened to a variable extent in 3, the hind
ones sometimes entirely dark, the claws more dark reddish brownish and with
black tips in both sexes.
Integument of central ocellar part of head, dorsum of clypeus, proboscis,
hinder half of scutellum, tergites 1 and 2 in g and to a feebler extent sides of 3
and 4, and entire abdomen in 9, shining; head in front and behind eyes dulled
to a variable extent by dense, greyish whitish tomentum; pleurae also mainly
dulled by greyish tomentum; thorax above dull and, especially in 2, with 5
streaks of greyish whitish tomentum, separated by 4 black streaks; abdomen in
¢ dulled mainly by greyish or greyish whitish tomentum replaced by dark or
blackish tomentum on disc of tergite 2 and by dark, saddle-shaped, discal
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 169
patches of variable distinctness across more than basal halves of 3-5 and basally
on 6 which in certain lights appear reddish brownish or dark coffee brownish;
abdomen in 9, unlike that of 2 paganus, without any dull discal patches on certain
tergites, the last 3 segments and to a certain extent also 5 transversely wrinkled
as in paganus, but last two more coarsely so, on which there are also slightly
coarser, sparse, setiferous puncturation; integument of hind femora in 2 more
transversely wrinkled than in 9, not so smooth as in paganus.
‘estiture longish and dense in ¢ as in faganus, with longish and dense hairs
on head, sides of thorax above, across base of thorax, on metanotum, pleurae,
especially posterior metapleural and metasternal parts, on tergite 1, sides of 2
and 3 and even of 4 (in paganus absent on 3 and 4), and with all these hairs
entirely snow whitish; hairs in 9, unlike those of 2 paganus, however, also
fairly longish and dense, though shorter than in 3, also mainly whitish; hairs
along streaks on disc of thorax above brownish to fulvous brownish, but whitish
anteriorly on the two broadish submedial whitish streaks, shorter in 9, but
similarly coloured; short hairs on abdomen above in ¢ from disc of tergite 2
posteriorly, and including those on sternites 5-8 and hypopygium, entirely dark
or black, though some on posterior sternites sometimes appearing more
yellowish, all these hairs relatively longer than in ¢ paganus, the longish ones in
basal half of venter whitish; hairs on abdomen in Q, including rather longish
reversed ones on last three segments, entirely whitish, slightly longer than in
paganus; hairs on legs in both sexes slightly longer and denser than in paganus,
also mainly whitish, those on coxae distinctly longer, and those posteriorly on
hind ones sometimes deeper yellowish, with longish hairs also basally and along
inner lower sides of hind femora, and in ¢ also with longish ones on inner sides
of hind tibiae; fine hairs on outer sides of hind femora tinted slightly more
yellowish; spines and spicules on legs dark brownish or blackish brown.
Head with the antennae distinctly longer than in paganus, subequal in
length to, or in Q slightly shorter than, thorax (excluding scutellum) ; segment 1
only slightly thickened in 3, not much in 9, about 2-3~-2-6 times length of 2;
segment 3 distinctly and proportionally much longer than in paganus, either
slightly longer than club or, in 9, about as long as club, its apical third or
slightly less thickened; club subspindle-shaped, slightly more pyriform in 4,
thickest at about its middle third, conically narrowed to apex, about equally
narrowed to base below in basal third as in apical third below, the extreme base
constricted; clypeus larger than in paganus; proboscis relatively very much
longer, sometimes stouter, usually a little or much longer than vertical length
of eye, its surface more wrinkled, its base also with some longish hairs below,
the labella oval, very finely striate; postvertical spines distinct, yellowish to
yellowish brownish.
Wings distinctly tinted yellowish brownish to smoky brownish to a variable
extent in both sexes, though in 3 sometimes almost hyaline, the infuscation
more evident along veins, especially in middle parts; veins yellowish brownish,
brownish, or almost black in some specimens, though paler in specimens with
170 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
almost hyaline wings; hind border relatively narrow, much narrower opposite first
posterior cell than cell itself; first posterior cell sometimes broadly open apically,
appearing more truncate; apex of discoidal cell distinctly shortly or even, in Q,
longly stalked; alula distinctly broader than in paganus; knobs of halteres
relatively broader, more truncated apically, also dark above.
Fic. 6. Side and dorsal views (all to same scale) of right process of sternite 9 of gg of:
Afroleptomydas opacus (Bezz.) (top left). Afroleptomydas suffusipennis (Brun.)
(top middle). Ajroleptomydas (Crossoprosopus) vansoni n.sp. (top right).
Afroleptomydas griquaensis n.sp. (middle left). Afroleptomydas (Crossoprosopus) anuliventris n.sp.
(middle middle). Afroleptomydas (Crossoprosopus) tuliensis n.sp. (middle right).
Afroleptomydas (Crossoprosopus) namaquensis n.sp. (bottom left).
Afroleptomydas (Crossoprosopus) capicolus n.sp. (bottom middle).
Afroleptomydas (Crossoprosopus) orangiae n.sp. (bottom right).
Legs with the hind femora slightly, but distinctly, thickened in both sexes,
slightly less so in 9, their double row of spines below somewhat slender, dark
reddish brownish to blackish brown, and from just before middle; hind tibiae
curved towards apex, their spicules along outer lower parts longer and stouter
than in paganus; basal segment of hind tarsi in J subequal in length to, or in both
sexes distinctly longer than claw-segment.
Oviscape in 2 specimen with 6 or 7 dark brownish spines on a side.
Hypopygium of 3 with the posterior angles of lobes of tergite 9 more bluntly
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 171
rounded than in paganus, with longer and denser hairs below; sternite 9 more
narrowed and conically pointed apically, its surface also wrinkled, its processes
(text-fig. 6, top left) longer than in paganus, less strongly S-curved, with more
than apical third, in side view, slender, slightly curved up, less so than in
paganus and more flattened, in dorsal view more shallowly, or scarcely, grooved
on inner side above apically, broader and more broadly rounded apically, and
with some distinct punctures along outer upper part apically.
From 7 gg and 1 9 (3 gd, including ¢ holotype, in the South African
Museum, 3 go and Q allotype in the Transvaal Museum, and 1 ¢g in Dr.
Bequaert’s collection).
Length of body: about 16-5-18-5 mm (very large specimen 23 mm)
Length of wing: about 10°5-12:25 mm (very large specimen
15°5 mm)
Distribution: South-eastern Karoo and eastern Cape: Modderfontein near
Willowmore (Dr. Brauns, January 1918, 1920); Dunbrody (J. O’Neil, 1901)
(3 holotype); Loerie (South African Museum, February 1960); Swartkops
(Dr. Brauns, February 1919); Resolution in Albany district (A. Walton,
23rd December 1927) (9 allotype).
Afroleptomydas opacicinctus n.sp.
A striking, contrastingly black and greyish-ringed, whitish-haired species,
of which the abdomen of the ¢ has a marked resemblance to the tail-pattern
of a cat or of a lemur, and which belongs to the series with dull and non-shining
abdomen. It is characterized as follows:
Body mainly dark or black, the pleural parts, especially in 9, being in part
more dark castaneous or blackish brownish; antennae brownish to blackish
brown, the clubs usually velvety black, but often, especially in 2, with a dark
reddish or dark reddish brownish tint in basal three quarters; the following parts
yellowish, reddish yellowish or yellowish brownish: clypeus, proboscis below to
a variable extent, humeral tubercles, sides of thorax above (more distinct in @),
thorax anteriorly on inner sides of humeral tubercles, especially in 9, postalar
calli to a variable extent, base of thorax above medially in 9 to a variable extent,
sides of metanotum in 9, propleural prominence, especially in 9, metapleural
parts in front of halteres, pteropleural part in some 99, upper part of metasternal
part, especially in 9, posterior episternal part, outer aspect of hind coxae,
extreme sides and a basal and apical transverse streak on sides of tergite 1, sides
of 2, extreme sides intramarginally of 3 and 4 to a variable extent (broader
in 2 than in 3), and base or basal half of venter or sides of sternites 1-4; hind
margins of tergites 2-4 and obscurely of 5 in ¢ whitish, those of 2-6 and discally
or obscurely on 7 in 9 broader yellowish whitish, margined on basal side with
faint ochreous- or orange yellowish; hind margins of the corresponding sternites
also obscurely whitish on extreme sides; bullae orange yellowish, yellowish
brownish to orange reddish or orange brownish, separated above in g by a
space as broad as, or usually a little broader than, vertical length of bullae;
172 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM.
legs mainly dark castaneous brownish or reddish brownish, the hinder parts
of front and middle femora and lower inner aspect of hind ones, as well as the
tibiae and tarsi, paler, more yellowish.
Integument with only the central part of frons, head below, proboscis and, in
Q, last four abdominal segments and sides up to tergite 2, more or less shining,
the entire abdomen in ¢ being dull, due to greyish whitish tomentum which is
replaced on at least basal halves above of discal and sublateral parts of tergites
2-6 and basally only on 7 by posteriorly-deeply-indented patches of contrasting,
velvety blackish bloom, and that of 2 also dulled above discally by greyish
whitish bloom up to end of tergite 4, of which the discal basal parts of 2-4 are
also replaced by contrasting, posteriorly-indented, discal patches of the same
velvety black bloom; pleurae mainly dull.
Vestiture, apart from the greyish whitish tomentum mentioned above, with
hairs on head, in streaks on thorax above, especially on sides, on metanotum,
propleural and prosternal parts, along hind border of mesopleuron, on ptero-
pleural and metapleural parts, hinder part of metasternum, coxae, tergite 1
and sides basally of 2 and, in 3, also on sternites 1-3, longish, dense, subvillose,
but slightly shorter in 9, entirely conspicuously snow whitish; rest of fine and
shortish hairs on abdomen above in ¢ dark or brownish on the black patches,
tinted feebly greyish yellowish on rest of dorsal discal surface, but more whitish
on sides of tergites and on venter; hairs below processes of sternite 9 in ¢ and on
the sternite itself yellowish or yellowish brownish; fine, short, and sparse hairs on
abdomen of 2 pale, but the longer reversed ones on last two segments more
yellowish or brownish, appearing dark in certain lights; hairs on legs relatively
short, shorter and less dense, especially on hind legs, than in paganus and
opacus, mainly whitish.
Head with the antennae in ¢ as long as, or a little longer than, thorax
(excluding scutellum), in 9 usually a little shorter than, but sometimes as long
as, thorax; segment 1 relatively short, only slightly thickened, about 2-3-2-6
times length of 2; segment 3 stoutish, only a very little, or scarcely, longer than
club and articulating part combined, its apical fourth or a little less distinctly,
though slightly thickened; clubs pyriform, with shortish neck-like basal con-
striction; proboscis relatively short, stoutish, distinctly shorter than thorax,
without any longish hairs basally below, its labella broadish; palps well devel-
oped, longer than antennal segment 2, one sometimes longer than the other;
postvertical spines slender, pallid, more distinct in 9.
Wings greyish hyaline, appearing tinted brownish to a variable extent,
more so in Q, due to diffused fuscous borders along veins in apical two-thirds;
veins dark brownish; first posterior cell moderately broadly open apically, but
sometimes somewhat narrowly so; apex of discoidal cell shortly stalked; knobs of
halteres dark brown to blackish brown above.
Legs with the hind femora slightly, but distinctly, thickened, their double
row of spines below shortish, yellowish to yellowish reddish; hind tibiae slightly
curved near apices; basal segment of hind tarsi longer than claw-segment.
‘THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 173
Oviscape in 2 with 7-8 slender yellowish brownish to brown spines on a side.
Hypopygium of 3 with the apical angles of lobes of tergite 9 rather sharp,
acutangular; sternite 9 relatively short, its apical part bluntly or subtruncately
rounded, and with a patch of darker or black hairs on each side just below bases
of processes, the latter, in side view, rather rapidly and almost equally narrowed
above and below apically, the lower margin substraight, the slender apex
slightly tilted up, in dorsal view rather sharply pointed.
From 21 gg and 3 99 in the South African Museum.
Length of body: about 15-20:5 mm
Length of wing: about 10-15 mm
Distribution: South-western Cape: between Leipoldtville and Elands Bay
(Museum Expedition, October 1947) (3 holotype, 9 allotype 18, § paratypes, and
2 2 paratypes). Western Karoo: east of Pakhuis Pass (Museum Expedition,
December 1947) (2 3 paratypes).
Afroleptomydas consanguineus n.sp.
A Namaqualand species with annulate abdomen, unfortunately repre-
sented by gJ only in the collections before me, and which resembles opacicinctus
very closely. From the ¢ of the latter it is distinguished as follows:
Body similarly coloured, but with the clypeus, humeral tubercles and sides
of thorax above darker or more blackish, at least not pale yellowish or yellowish
reddish; legs on the whole paler, femora below, tibiae and tarsi paler, more
yellowish.
Integument of pleurae more shining, less densely covered with tomentum.
Vestiture very similar, similarly coloured, but fine hairs on hind femora
above darker, appearing blackish brown; fine hairs on last three sternites also
darker, more blackish brown, at least in certain lights, and hairs on hypopygium
on the whole more blackish brown or black; velvety black, opaque, discal
patches on tergites distinctly more extensive, extending to much beyond middle
of tergites and straight-margined, not indented centrally above, appearing as
broad black annulations separating the relatively narrower greyish whitish
ones; spines on hind femora below, spicules on hind tibiae and longish hairs and
spicules on tarsi paler, more yellowish or pallid, the inner faces of hind tibiae
without markedly long hairs.
Head with the antennae distinctly proportionally longer, segment 3 being _
proportionally much longer, much longer than width of eye, which in opacicinctus
is subequal in length to, or only a little longer than, width of eye; clubs propor-
tionally longer, more elongate-pyriform, with a much longer narrowed basal
half.
Wings very similar, but shorter relative to body length; veins sometimes
tending to be paler, and in the specimens before me without fuscous borders,
Hypopygium with the processes of sternite 9, in side view, relatively much
narrowed basally, more gradually narrowed to apex, becoming slender from at
least apical third and not at about apical fifth.
174 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
From 2 34 in the South African Museum.
Length of body: about 17-20 mm
Length of wing: about 10:3-12 mm
Distribution: Namaqualand: Wallekraal near coast (Museum Expedition,
October 1950).
Afroleptomydas milnertonensis Beq.
Afroleptomydas milnertonensis Bequaert, 1963: 42, fig. 7B.
A smallish species from Milnerton, near Cape Town, described by Bequaert
from 2 3 specimens collected by the late Mr. R. Turner and which is not repre-
sented in the collections before me, not even in those of the South African
Museum. According to the description, it is a peculiar species, differing from
most other species of this genus, and more especially from those occurring in the
neighbourhood of Cape Town, in certain important aspects which render its
recognition easy.
It appears to be characterized by its small size; the brownish humeral
tubercles, sides of thorax above and postalar calli; its short antennae; the rela-
tively shortish vestiture which is yellowish brownish or brownish on the vertex,
disc of thorax and on the brownish dull abdomen, the absence of longish hairs
on femora and tibiae, especially hind ones; the dull pleurae; its rather trans-
versely long orange brownish-margined bullae; the first posterior cell in wings
which is scarcely open apically or subtends angularly on costal margin; its
only slightly thickened hind femora, armed below with a double row of slender,
bristle-like spines; and hind tibiae which are straight, armed below with a
double row of rather longish spicules and without any long hairs along inner side.
Characters such as the dull abdomen, dull pleurae and the feebly thickened
hind femora, place it in the Aumeralis group as was done by Bequaert, but the
subdivision or section of this group to which it is to be assigned is uncertain.
The dull abdomen and shortish antennae seem to relegate it to the paganus
section, but the less thickened hind femora, armed with feeble spines below, the
two rows of rather slender spicules on hind tibiae and the indistinct streaks on
thorax above suggest a subsection of its own. The only other species in the
paganus section, without any markedly long hairs along inner face of hind tibiae,
is consanguineus, a species which, however, differs from milnertonensis in all other
respects.
Length of body: about 13-14 mm
Length of wing: about 9-10 mm
Distribution: Western Cape: Milnerton near Cape Town (R. Turner,
January 1926).
Afroleptomydas griquaensis n.sp.
Another species with striking and characteristic, contrasting, velvety black
and greyish whitish annulations on the abdomen, like the markings on a lemur’s
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 175
tail, and which resembles opacicinctus and to a certain extent also consanguineus
superficially. From both these species, especially the former, it differs as follows:
Body also mainly black, the yellowish brownish or reddish brownish parts
very similar, but clypeus distinctly more brownish than yellowish; antennae and
proboscis below usually paler reddish brownish or reddish; sides of thorax
above in ¢ either entirely dark or only obscurely reddish brownish and in 9
either more narrowly reddish brownish or also mainly dark; sides of metanotum
in ¢ entirely dark, in @ less reddish brownish or also mainly dark; sides of
tergites 1 and 2 on the whole less extensively yellowish and sides of 3 and 4, or
the rest, not, or not so consistently, yellowish or reddish brownish intra-
marginally; hind margins of tergites 2-6 (or 7), not only 2-4, in 3 slightly more
broadly whitish and 2-6 or 7 in 9 more broadly yellowish; hind margin of
sternite I more consistently and conspicuously yellowish whitish and sides of 2-6
also more conspicuously yellowish whitish; bullae ochreous brownish, brownish
to blackish brown, black-margined.
Integument of the head with the same parts shining, but, unlike in opacicinctus,
the scutellum and more or less sides of tergites 1 and 2, as well as articulation
between them, also shining; pleurae on the other hand more consistently dulled
by greyish whitish tomentum; integument of abdomen in @, as in latter species,
mainly dulled by greyish whitish tomentum which is also replaced above on a
little more than basal halves of tergites by contrasting, velvety black, discal,
saddle-shaped patches which are, however, not indented posteriorly and which
are also confined to extreme bases on tergites 2 and 7; that of abdomen in 9
also more or less shining on last two, sometimes three, segments, the rest 1-5
(or 6) dulled discally by greyish whitish tomentum, which on 2-5 and at
extreme base of 6 is replaced by velvety blackish, basal, discal patches not so
broadly and deeply indented along their hind margins as in opacicinctus.
Vestiture with the hairs on head, sides of thorax above, pleural parts,
metanotum, and tergites 1 and sides of 2 and 3, and coxae as long, but slightly
less dense, slightly more so in 9, also snow whitish in both sexes; hairs along the
narrow central and two broadish submedial discal streaks on thorax in both
sexes distinctly much shorter and sparser than in opacicinctus; short ones on
abdomen above and on posterior half of venter in 3 slightly longer than in
latter species, but also dark on dark discal patches; hairs on hypopygium mainly
pale, not dark; short hairs on abdomen in 9 as in opacicinctus, but relatively
longer, the longer reversed ones on last three segments, however, whitish;
hairs on legs also snow whitish, but those on femora, especially hind ones,
distinctly longer, more so in 3.
Head with the interocular space below relatively broad, proportionally
broader than in both opacicinctus and consanguineus, only a little narrower than
that on vertex (in latter two species considerably broader) ; antennae subequal
in length to, or a little longer than thorax (excluding scutellum); segment 1
scarcely thickened, about 3 times length of 2; segment 3 stoutish, scarcely longer
than, or about as long as, club plus articulating part, its apical segment-like
I 76 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
fourth thickened; clubs subpyriform, but more gradually narrowed basally than
in opacicinctus; proboscis relatively shorter, subequal in length to, or a little
longer than, vertical length of eyes (much longer in latter species) ; palps distinct,
conical, longer than antennal segment 2; postvertical spines distinct, whitish or
pallid.
Wings, relative to body-length, longer than in opacicinctus, usually greyish
hyaline in g, but sometimes with a very faint yellowish tinge along veins in
middle parts, faintly tinted yellowish in 9, less dark than in opacicinctus, the
infusion mainly along veins; veins yellowish to yellowish reddish or reddish;
discoidal cell shortly stalked apically; knobs of halteres more subracket-shaped
middle part above brownish to dark blackish brown.
Legs with the femora shining (dull in opacicinctus); hind ones slightly more
thickened, their double row of spines below pallid; basal segment of hind tarsi
subequal in length to claw-segment.
Oviscape of 2 with 7-8 relatively broader spines on a side.
Hypopygium of g with sternite 9 very similar to that of opacicinctus, but
without dark hairs on each side, its processes, in side view (text-fig. 6, middle
left), distinctly more S-curved, with more or less apical fourth or less curved up,
with fewer hairs below; aedeagus with relatively shorter epimere projecting
for a shorter distance beyond phallic tubes.
From 3 g¢ and 4 99, including the holo- and allotype, in the South
African Museum.
Length of body: about 14—18-5 mm
Length of wing: about 10°5-14°5 mm
Distribution: Griqualand West: Vryburg (Museum Staff, October 1939).
Afroleptomydas pseudoopacus Beq.
Afroleptomydas pseudoopacus Bequaert, 1963: 31, figs 6, 4 and 8A.
This species, described from a single ¢ from Aus in South West Africa, is
not represented in the collections before me. From the description of Bequaert
it is quite clear that it belongs to the paganus section of the humeralis group, with
dull abdomen and dark discal patches on anterior part of tergites, and also dull
pleurae. From paganus s.str. and also opacus it appears to differ in the distinctly
longer proboscis, distinctly broader interocular space and fronto-facial part,
the less widely-separated bullae, the whitish, not brownish or fulvous, shortish
hairs on disc of thorax, the not entirely dark short hairs on greater part of
abdomen above (those in apical part of tergites being whitish), and the con-
trasting yellowish inner faces of hind femora.
It appears to be nearer griquaensis and opacicinctus, boue closer to the former,
which also differs from paganus and opacus in these respects. From griquaensis it
differs, according to the description, in being distinctly much paler, with paler
thorax, abdomen and venter, with hind margins of only tergites 2-5 yellowish
whitish, in having a broader interocular space and fronto-facial part, a slightly
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 177
longer proboscis, finely granular thorax above, and more yellowish brownish
fine hairs on anterior faces of femora and tibiae, and a longer epimere which is
more rounded apically.
Length of body: about 22 mm
Length of wing: about 16 mm
Distribution: South West Africa: Aus in Great Namaqualand (R. Turner,
January 1930).
Afroleptomydas turnert Beq.
Afroleptomydas turneri Bequaert, 1963: 38, figs 5A and 7A.
Afroleptomydas turneri var. pallidus Bequaert, 1963: 42.
A dark, mainly dull-bodied, variable, montane species, frequenting moun-
tain valleys, sometimes at high altitudes, in the Western Cape, and described by
Bequaert in 1963 from gg and 99 collected by the late Mr. R. Turner at Ceres.
The 3 was described in detail by him, but not the 2. To supplement Bequaert’s
original description and include the 9 a redescription of the species is as follows:
Body mainly dark or black, the pleural parts and abdomen in @ usually
more dark castaneous or blackish brownish; clypeus dark castaneous brownish
to almost black; antennae dark or blackish, more dark reddish brownish to
yellowish brownish in 2; humeral tubercles dark blackish brownish to dark
reddish brownish in 3, usually paler to even yellowish reddish in 9; sides of
thorax above and anteriorly on inner sides of humeral tubercles dark in 3, but
usually reddish to a variable extent in 9; postalar calli usually dark reddish
brownish; metanotum black, but in some 99 obscurely reddish on extreme sides;
posterior pleural (metasternal and episternal) parts in 9 usually yellowish or
yellowish brownish to a variable extent, in 3 usually mainly dark; extreme
sides of tergites 1 and 2, and sometimes also sides of 3 and 4 or even 5 in 9,
usually also yellowish to a variable extent, usually entirely black in 3, though
in some 33 with some obscure brownish on sides basally of 1 and 2; venter in
3g mainly dark, in 9 usually slightly paler than abdomen above; hind margins of
tergites 2-5, and to a certain extent 6, in J narrowly whitish, in 9 2—5 distinctly
(sometimes also 6) more broadly yellowish whitish, their basal borders usually
tinted more orange; hind margins of sternites 1-6 in both sexes also conspi-
cuously and broadly yellowish whitish; bullae vertically elongate, narrowish,
shining black, narrowly separated above in ¢ by a space narrower than the
vertical length of bullae; apices of lobes of tergite 9 and apical halves of pro-
cesses of sternite 9 in 3 reddish brownish; legs mainly dark, dull castaneous
brownish or dark reddish brownish to blackish brown, the knees yellowish
reddish and the inner lower faces of femora and tibiae, hind tibiae, and the tarsi
more yellowish, in 9 slightly paler.
Integument with the following parts more or less shining: central nat of
frons, clypeus, to a certain extent proboscis, head below, to’a variable extent
middle anterior part of pleurae, in 9 greater part of abdomen from hinder half
178 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
of tergite 2, and in J sides of tergites 1-3 and base of 4 as well as basal half or
more of venter; integument of greater part of abdomen above in ¢ dulled by
dull greyish whitish tomentum, replaced by dull blackish, saddle-shaped, discal
patches on basal parts or halves of tergites 2-6 and extreme base of 7; in 9 dulled
by greyish whitish tomentum discally across tergite 1, bases of 2 and 3 and
sometimes obscurely across 4.
Vestiture with the hairs on head in both sexes, extreme sides of thorax in 3,
metanotum, tergite 1 and sides of 2 in both sexes, sides of 3 and even 4 in 4,
and more sparsely on sternites 2-4 in g longish and dense, though slightly
less dense in 9, entirely snow whitish; hairs in streaks on disc of thorax slightly
shorter, shorter and sparser in 9, greyish yellowish, golden yellowish to fulvous
brownish; those on propleural prominence, pteropleural and metapleural parts,
across hind margin of metasternum and on sides of hind coxae shorter than
hairs on tergite 1 and also shorter in 9 than in 3, greyish whitish, but those on
pteropleural and metapleural parts sometimes tinted slightly yellowish or even
fulvous, especially in some 99; short hairs on abdomen in ¢ slightly longer on
extreme sides of tergites and on venter, greyish whitish to greyish yellowish, but
darker, deeper yellowish or brownish on black basal patches; those on abdomen
in 2 very short, sparse, pale, but the longer and denser reversed ones on last
two segments yellowish brownish to brown; hairs on hypopygium of ¢ mainly
yellowish reddish to fulvous brownish; those on legs short in both sexes, though
sparser in 9, mainly greyish whitish, appearing more yellowish on front and
middle femora above.
Head with the antennae a little shorter than thorax (excluding scutellum) ;
segment 1 about, or very little more than, 3 times length of a, slightly thickened;
segment 3 longer than club plus articulating part, its apical third, or a little less,
slightly thickened; club pyriform, more or less gradually narrowed to base, only
its extreme base constricted; proboscis relatively shortish, much shorter than
thorax (excluding scutellum), but longer than vertical length of eyes, without
long hairs basally below; palps distinct, slightly longer than antennal segment 2;
postvertical spines present, pale yellowish.
Wings relatively longer in 9° than in 4, tinted slightly yellowish brownish
in 3, sometimes only very slightly so, or even only greyish hyaline, more dis-
tinctly or darker yellowish brownish in 9, due mainly to diffused fuscous borders
to veins in some 99; veins yellowish brownish to brownish; first posterior cell
narrowly to fairly broadly open apically; apex of discoidal cell shortly stalked;
hind border of wings narrower than first and third posterior cells; knobs of
halteres golf-driver-club-shaped, the apex sometimes rather pointed, dark
brownish above.
Legs with the hind femora scarcely, or only very slightly, thickened, their
double row of spines below yellowish or pallid; basal segment of hind tarsi
much longer than claw-segment.
Oviscape in 9 with the inner lower angle on each side of carina rugosely
punctured, with 7 or 8 spines on a side; two lobes below with a dense brush of
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 179
rather short, stiffish, bristly hairs.
Hypopygium of 3 with the anal lobes rather prominent, projecting, with
short and rather stoutish, bristly hairs above; lobes of tergite 9 relatively long,
slightly produced apically, sharply pointed or acutangular apically; sternite
9 conical, laterally more rapidly narrowed to narrower and bluntly rounded
apical part, grooved or wrinkled basally and with rows of setiferous punctures
on sides of broad basal part, rather densely haired below, its processes relatively
stoutish, in side view, S-curved, rather densely and long-haired below, the
apical part slightly curved upwards, in dorsal view relatively broad, bluntly
pointed apically.
From 41 g¢ and 20 99 in the South African Museum and in the South
African Institute for Medical Research.
Length of body: about 16:5-22 mm
Length of wing: about 11-5-17 mm
Distribution: Western Cape: Ceres (original material collected by R. Turner
at 1,500 ft., December 1920); upper sources of Olifants River in Ceres division
(Museum Expedition, December 1949) ; Citrusdal district (Museum Expedition,
November 1948); Olifants River between Citrusdal and Clanwilliam (Museum
staff, October-November 1931) ; Clanwilliam South African Institute for Medi-
cal Research, October 1951); Bulhoek between Clanwilliam and Klawer
(Museum Expedition, October 1950); Wit River Valley, Bains Kloof near
Wellington (Museum Expedition, December 1949).
One representative of a variational colour form, from the same locality as
the holotype, was named var. pallidus by Bequaert. It apparently differs from
the more typical form in having paler antennae, of which segment 3 is propor-
tionally longer and the apical part of the clubs is darkened; a paler proboscis,
with dark labella; uniformly pale brownish legs; a more yellowish tuft on the
upper part of metapleurae; a faint yellowish hind margin across tergite 6; no
pale hind margins on sternites 5 and 6; a more broadly open first posterior cell
in wings; and in having the apical stalk of the second submarginal cell very
short.
Afroleptomydas flavigenualis n.sp.
A dull-bodied species from Namaqualand, represented in the collections
before me by 2 gg only, and which obviously belongs to the same series as
turnert and which may be considered as the Namaqualand representative of the
latter, from which it differs in the following respects:
Body also mainly black, both the clypeus and humeral tubercles also dark;
pleurae also entirely dark; hind margins of tergites 2-6 also whitish, but the
bands distinctly broader and more conspicuously margined across their basal
margins with orange; hind margins of the corresponding sternites also uninter-
ruptedly yellowish whitish; bullae shining blackish brown or dark reddish
brownish, distinctly more widely separated above by a space only a little
narrower, or broader than, vertical length of bullae; legs, however, with the
180 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
broadish apical parts of femora, the basal parts of hind ones, and the tibiae and
tarsi conspicuously and contrastingly yellowish or luteous.
Integument of body mainly dull as in turnert, the entire abdomen above,
excepting junction between tergites 1 and 2, being also dull, but mainly black,
without pale greyish whitish tomentum on apical halves or more of the tergites
as in latter species.
Vestiture very similar, as long and as dense, but hairs across occiput just
behind vertex more yellowish, and those on thorax above and on pteropleural
and metapleural parts distinctly darker, deeper fulvous reddish or brownish;
hairs on metanotum sometimes appearing slightly more pale creamy yellowish
than whitish; rest of hairs at base of abdomen snow whitish as in turnert.
Head with the antennae (malformed in one specimen) very similar, the
segments with same proportions; proboscis, however, relatively longer.
Wings as in turneri, but first posterior cell tending to be broader open
apically; veins in anterior part of wings paler, more yellowish.
Legs very similar.
Hypopygium differs in having sternite 9 slightly less densely hairy, its pro-
cesses, in side view, distinctly shorter, less S-curved, the upper and lower margins
straighter, more rapidly narrowed apically, the apical part less curved upwards,
and in dorsal view relatively broader.
Holotype in the South African Institute for Medical Research, and para-
type in the South African Museum.
Length of body: about 19-23 mm
Length of wing: about 13-14-:5 mm
Distribution: Namaqualand: Kamieskroon (October 1951) (South African
Institute for Medical Research).
Afroleptomydas koupicolus n.sp.
Another species belonging to the dull-bodied turnert and flavigenualis section
and which may almost be considered as a Koup variety of turnert, but from
which latter species it differs in the following respects:
Body also mainly dark or black; clypeus in both sexes also dark; humeral
tubercles in ¢ dark, in 9 reddish brownish as in 9 turnert; pleurae mainly dark;
hind margins of tergites 2-6 also whitish in 3 and yellowish whitish in 9; bullae
similar; venter, however, yellowish on sternites 1 and 2, base and middle of 3,
and bases of 4-6 in 3, and 1-4, and to a variable extent middle parts of 5-7,
in 2; hind margins of sternites also uninterruptedly whitish as in turneri; apices
of lobes of tergite 9, greater part of processes of sternite 9, and greater part of the
latter sternite itself in J also yellowish brownish; legs with the apical parts of
front and middle femora below, at least basal halves and entire lower and outer
lower surfaces of hind ones in 3, entire hind femora in 9, and all tibiae and tarsi
yellowish, the femora of 3 thus with even more yellowish than in ¢ flavigenualis,
and in both sexes the legs are less dark than in turnert.
Integument with the same parts shining as in latter two species, the abdomen
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 181
in both sexes dulled by the same type or pattern of greyish whitish tomentum
and black as in g and 9 of turnert.
Vestiture with the longish hairs on head, sides of thorax and base of abdomen
in both sexes also snow whitish, but distinctly denser and slightly longer than in
turneri and flavigenualis, those at base of abdomen especially dense, those on sides
of tergite 3 in g very much denser than in latter two species; shortish hairs in
streaks on disc of thorax paler yellowish, the streaks distinctly broader, and two
submedial bare streaks on thorax above in both sexes as in turnert, but those of ¢
relatively a little longer; hairs on legs equally long and dense and similarly
coloured.
Head with the antennae relatively a little longer, but apparently a little
shorter than thorax, especially in 9; segment 1 thickened, about 3:3 times
length of 2; segment 3 longer than club, relatively longer in 9 than in 3; clubs
shaped as in turnert; proboscis distinctly longer than in latter species, its base
below with distinct longish hairs.
Wings similarly tinted and the venational characters similar.
Legs with the hind femora only slightly thickened and in other respects
very similar.
Oviscape in 2 with about 7 relatively shorter spines on a side.
Hypopygium of 3 very similar, but with sternite 9 tending to be more
distinctly, though bluntly, keeled below, its processes, in side view, more like
those of flavigenualis, less slender apically, less curved up apically than in turneri,
more equally narrowed above and below, less curved downwards and then
upwards as in the latter species, in dorsal view more rapidly narrowed apically,
the apex being sharper.
From 1 and 19 in the South African Museum.
Length of body: about 20-21 mm
Length of wing: about 14-17-5 mm
Distribution: Koup Karoo: Lammerkraal in the Prince Albert District
(Museum Expedition, September 1947).
Afroleptomydas namaquensis n.sp.
Leptomydas paganus Bezzi (nec Gerstaecker), 19245: 214. (n.syn.)
The unique, markedly large 3 specimen from Okiep in the South African
Museum which Bezzi referred to and labelled as paganus (Gerst.) s.str. is, like the
other g and 2 specimens so identified by him, not referable to paganus at all.
The true specific identity of paganus was unknown to Bezzi and, as stated under
paganus (Gerst.) in this paper, he confused no less than three different species
with the latter species. This specimen from Okiep is an entirely different
form which is closer to turneri than to other species. From the ¢ of the latter it
differs in the following respects:
Body much larger and longer; antennae reddish brownish; clypeus
yellowish; proboscis below also more extensively yellowish brownish; humeral
182 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
tubercles more castaneous brownish, and greater part of pleurae also more
castaneous brownish; basal part on sides of tergite 1 as well as extreme sides
of 2-4 (or even 5) comparatively paler, more pale castaneous or yellowish
brownish; hind margins of tergites 2-6 distinctly broader, more conspicuously,
yellowish whitish, their basal margins, at least discally, more broadly tinted
orange; hind margins of the corresponding sternites yellowish whitish only on
sides, not uninterruptedly as turnerz; bullae distinctly very much shorter verti-
cally, orange yellowish, very widely separated above by a space very much
broader than vertical length of bullae; legs mainly reddish brownish, paler on
hind femora below.
Integument also mainly dull, even greater part or entire pleurae dull, and
also entirely so on disc of tergite 2 and on rest of abdomen above, but dulled
mainly by black or dark tomentum, no pale greyish or greyish whitish tomentum
being so evident as in furnert.
Vestiture with the long hairs on head, thorax, and base of abdomen as long
and as dense, but those on sides of tergite 3 not so dense and long; all the hairs
not entirely whitish, but those on each side of occiput above, on thorax above,
pleurae, metanotum, tergites 1 and 2 discally and on middle and hind coxae
brownish, slightly darker on thorax above; those on disc of thorax relatively
slightly longer and separated by relatively broader bare streaks; longish ones at
base of venter whitish; short hairs on rest of abdomen above slightly longer
than in turnert, and mainly dark brownish, only pale on extreme sides of tergites,
and on rest of venter; hairs on hypopygium blackish brown, not fulvous or
reddish; those on legs as in turneri, but those on femora above appearing dark in
certain lights, and pale ones on tibiae more greyish yellowish or yellowish-
tinted than whitish.
Head with the antennae relatively very much shorter, considerably shorter
than thorax (excluding scutellum) ; segment 1 thickened, about 3 times length
of 2; segment 3 very much shorter than in ¢urneri, appearing stoutish, subequal
in length to, or even a little shorter than, club plus articulating part, its apical
third only slightly thickened; club distinctly more spindle-shaped, not pyriform,
broadest at about middle; proboscis rather stoutish, scarcely, or only very
slightly, longer than vertical length of eyes, with distinct longish hairs basally
below; palps distinct, much longer than antennal segment 2, dark-haired;
postvertical spines present, reddish.
Wings in the specimen hyaline, not tinted at all; veins reddish; appendix
at base of second submarginal cell rather long; first posterior cell broadly open
apically; discoidal cell shortly stalked; hind margin of squamae brownish, not
whitish; halteres brown.
Legs with the hind femora relatively slightly more thickened, their double
row of spines below more dark reddish brownish; basal segment of hind tarsi
longer than claw-segment.
Hypopygium similar to that of turnert, but sternite g distinctly longer, more
sharply conically pointed, being relatively narrower apically, though also
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 183
transversely wrinkled basally and in curves on sides, its processes (text-fig. 6,
bottom left) distinctly relatively shorter, stouter, in side view less slender, less
S-curved, more gradually narrowed apically, in dorsal view even blunter and
broader apically; last sternite (8) rather elongate, relatively longer than in
turnert.
Holotype in the South African Museum.
Length of body: about 26 mm
Length of wing: about 17-5 mm
Distribution: Namaqualand: Okiep.
Afroleptomydas apricus n.sp.
A species with rather long and broad wings and of which the ¢ resembles
paganus and especially opacus superficially. It is characterized as follows:
Body mainly black, with the antennae in ¢ mainly black, the apical part of
segment 3 obscurely and apical half of club dark reddish, in 9 more dark reddish
brownish, especially segments 1 and 2, and clubs entirely dark reddish; sides of
clypeus reddish brownish, more extensively so in 2; proboscis below yellowish
reddish; humeral tubercles in 9 yellowish, in ¢ appearing dark, showing slightly
and obscurely reddish through the bloom; sides of thorax above in ¢ dark, in
dark reddish in anterior half and on inner side of humeral tubercles anteriorly;
postalar calli obscurely dark reddish in 9, dark in 3; metanotum black in 3,
obscurely dark reddish on sides in 9; pleurae in both sexes mainly black, the
area below wing-bases, however, yellowish brownish and, in 9, that below
halteres also obscurely yellowish brownish; base on sides of tergite 1 and, in 9
also sides basally of tergite 2, yellowish; venter yellowish in basal half in 3, in 2
mainly yellowish up to sternite 6, but 7 and 8 being slightly darker, and middle
part of three basal sternites blackened; ventral part of hypopygium reddish
brownish; hind margins of tergites 2-6 in 3 whitish and those of 2-6 in 9 rather
conspicuously and broadly yellowish; hind margins of sternites in ¢ whitish,
and in 9 broadly yellowish, on sides; bullae black, more broadly separated
above than vertical length of bullae in 3, more broadly so in 9; legs yellowish,
front and middle coxae and, in 3, also hind ones, almost black, with the upper
faces of the femora and, in J, extensive upper and outer and inner upper halves
of hind ones, and upper and lower faces of hind tibiae very dark or blackish
brownish, and claw-segments of tarsi in both sexes darkened.
Integument of middle part of frons, proboscis, scutellum, tergite 1 and greater
part of 2 shining, and in 9 also most of abdomen above up to basal part or
half of tergite 6; thorax above dull in both sexes, streaked greyish whitish and
black, entire pleurae dulled by rather dense whitish tomentum; rest of abdomen
in 3 mainly dull black above, but with greyish whitish tomentum across hind
margins of tergites 3-7 (fairly broadly), broader on sides and also extending
basalwards on extreme sides, and apical half of venter in 3 also dusted slightly
greyish.
Vestiture with the hairs on head, sides of thorax above and anteriorly, on
184 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
pleurae, sides of metanotum, tergite 1, sides of 2 and 3, and basal half of venter
rather longish, dense, villose, slightly shorter in 9, entirely snow whitish; hairs
towards apex of antennal segment 1 and on 2 brownish; short hairs in streaks on
thorax above tinted slightly greyish yellowish in certain lights; short ones on
disc of tergites 2 and 3 and on greater parts above and sides of rest of tergites in
6 fairly dense, longer than in opacus, black, only some on extreme sides of 4-6
whitish; those on sternites 5-8 in ¢ tinted slightly more greyish yellowish than
whitish, and with dark or blackish ones along middle of 5-7; shortish hairs on
rest of abdomen in 2 much sparser than in 3, greyish whitish, but reversed ones
on last two segments longer, more fulvous brownish; hairs on legs fairly dense
and long, less so in 9, the longer ones in ¢ relatively longer and denser than in
opacus, mainly whitish, though the fine ones on sides of hind femora in § appear
more greyish yellowish.
Head with the antennae relatively longer than in opacus, a little longer than,
or in 2 subequal in length to, thorax (excluding scutellum) ; segment 1 slightly
thickened, about or a little less than 2-5 times length of 2; segment 3 relatively
stoutish, a little more than its apical fourth thickened, in 3 about as long as club,
in 9 a little longer; club elongate-pyriform; proboscis longer than vertical length
of eyes, with some longish hairs basally below, its labella obvate; palps distinct,
slightly longer than antennal segment 2; postvertical spines present, yellowish.
Wings relatively long and broad, more so than in opacus and in other related
forms, hyaline in 3, with a slight milky whitish tint, in 9 tinted slightly yellowish
along veins, especially in middle parts; veins brownish; first posterior cell
broadly open apically; apex of discoidal cell shortly stalked; alula broadly
lobe-like; knobs of halteres brown.
Legs with the hind femora distinctly thickened in both sexes, their double
row of spines below reddish or reddish brownish; hind tibiae curved near apex,
especially in 3; basal segment of hind tarsi scarcely, or only a little, longer than
claw-segment.
Oviscape in 2 with 9 or 10 brownish spines on a side.
Hypopygium of 3 with the posterior angles of lobes of tergite 9 acutangular;
sternite 9g longitudinally wrinkled, narrowed apically, bluntly pointed, its
processes, in side view, S-curved, the apical third slender, curved up, in dorsal
view more sharply pointed and narrowed than in opacus.
From 1 g and 1 9 in the South African Museum.
Length of body: about 18-25 mm (@ larger than ¢)
Length of wing: about 13-17 mm
Distribution: Southern Koup: Rooinek Pass to the east of Laingsburg
(Zinn and Hesse, Museum Expedition, January 1943).
Afroleptomydes anomalus n.sp.
A g and a Q, from the same locality, in the collections before me belonging
to the opacus and apricus section are, however, anomalous in that the ¢ has clear
wings and the @ distinctly tinted ones, and the antennal clubs in @ are, relative
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 185
to segment 3, longer than in the g, suggesting that they may not belong to the
same species. As these sexual differences have also been noticed in some other
species and as these specimens agree in most other characters, as far as the sexes
in this genus agree, they are here provisionally taken to be specifically identical.
They show the following characters:
Body mainly black, the pleurae in @ slightly more castaneous brownish;
antennae dark blackish brownish, the apical parts of clubs in 9 more dark
orange reddish; clypeus reddish brownish on sides; proboscis reddish brownish
below; humeral tubercles dark in both sexes, though more obscurely dark
blackish brownish in Q; sides of thorax above black; postalar calli obscurely
dark reddish brownish, more so in 2; metanotum entirely dark; posterior meta-
pleural and metasternal parts, sides basally of tergite 1 more yellowish brownish,
and sides of 2 and 3 slightly paler than discally, more reddish brownish; hind
margin of tergite 1 dark reddish brownish, almost black; those of tergites 2-6 in
3$ whitish, more broadly and conspicuously pale yellowish or yellowish whitish
in Q; bullae black or very dark; hypopygium in ¢ mainly reddish brownish,
the apical parts of processes of sternite 9 paler; venter reddish brownish, paler
and more yellowish basally; hind margins of sternites 1-6 in both sexes whitish
on sides, broader in 9; legs with the coxae in g darker, in 2 dark reddish brown-
ish or dark castaneous brownish, the femora dark or dark brownish above,
paler or more yellowish below, the hind ones especially more contrastingly
yellowish below and basally, the tibiae and tarsi yellowish brownish, slightly
paler in 9, the hind ones appearing darkened below, especially in g, and claw-
segment of tarsi darkened.
Integument of head dulled by dense, greyish whitish tomentum, only central
parts of frons, clypeus above and proboscis shining; thorax above dull, with
4 streaks of greyish whitish tomentum; scutellum shining; metanotum and
pleurae mainly dulled by greyish tomentum; abdomen in J with tergites 1 and
2 shining, but rest dull; composed of greyish whitish tomentum, replaced
by dullish, black, saddle-shaped, discal patches in more than basal halves of
tergites 3—7, smallest on 7, the integument itself transversely aciculate or sub-
sttiate, covered with small setiferous puncturation; abdomen in 2 smooth and
shining, with very feeble dark bluish reflections, obscurely transversely striate,
but more distinctly and more coarsely so on last three segments, and also covered
with minute, sparse, setiferous puncturation, denser posteriorly; venter in 9 also
shining, in both sexes transversely striated in posterior half.
Vestiture long and fairly dense on head, thorax, especially sides and basally,
sides of metanotum, pleurae, tergites 1 and 2, sides of 3, and, in 3, to a lesser
extent and more shortly on sides of rest, and on legs, all these being slightly
shorter and less dense in 9, and in both sexes mainly snow whitish; hairs on
antennal segments 1 and 2 dark; those on thorax above in 5 streaks, those dis-
cally with a very feeble sericeous yellowish tint in certain lights; shorter and
fairly dense hairs on abdomen above in black discally on tergites 2—7 on black
patches, those on 8, as well as those on sides and on hypopygium, whitish;
186 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
sparser hairs on abdomen above in Q, even reversed ones posteriorly, whitish;
hairs on venter whitish in both sexes, denser and longer in 3, and in ¢ also with
some dark ones medially on sternites 5-8; hairs on legs much longer and denser
in 3g, mainly whitish in both sexes; spines on hind femora reddish brownish
in 3, more fulvous in 9, the spicules on legs in both sexes fulvous.
Head with the antennae in ¢ distinctly longer than thorax (excluding
scutellum), in 9 a very little shorter than thorax; segment 1 slightly thickened, .
about 2-3-2°5 times length of 2; segment 3 equally long in both sexes, a little
less than its apical third thickened, slightly longer than club in 3, in 9 about as
long as club; latter elongate-pyriform, gradually and equally narrowed to base,
conical apically, broadest at about middle, but in 9 with a longer broader part,
its base shortly contricted; proboscis a little longer than vertical length of eyes,
in ¢ about 2-2 mm, in 9 about 2-6 mm, with some longish hairs basally below;
palps markedly slender in 3, much longer than antennal segment 2, in 2 much
shorter, scarcely longer than this segment; postvertical spines slender, bristle-
like, yellowish.
Wings almost clear hyaline in 3, the middle veins with scarcely perceptible,
faint, narrow, fuscous borders, in @ distinctly tinted yellowish brownish from
about level of bases of marginal and discoidal cells to more or less level of apices
of these cells, more so along veins in this part; veins reddish brownish; apex of
discoidal cell shortly stalked; alula and axillary lobe rather broadish; knobs of
halteres darkened above.
Legs with the hind femora slightly, but distinctly, thickened, their double
row of spines below from near base; hind tibiae slightly curved near apex; basal
segment of hind tarsi sub-equal in length to claw-segment or very slightly
shorter.
Oviscape in 2 with about 8 or 9 brownish spines on a side.
Hypopygium of 3 with the lobes of tergite g angularly pointed apically;
sternite 9 conical, transversely wrinkled basally, and obliquely longitudinally so
towards apex, its processes, in side view, S-curved, relatively shortish, curved
upwards apically, in dorsal view bluntly pointed apically.
From 1 g and 1 Q in the Transvaal Museum.
Length of body: about 16-5 (3)-20-5 (2) mm
Length of wing: about 12 (9)—15 (2) mm
Distribution: Southern Karoo: Willowmore (Dr. Brauns, 20th December
1920) (¢ holotype); Willowmore (Dr. Brauns, 15th February 1921) (92
allotype).
From apricus it differs in having relatively narrower wings, relatively
shorter antennae and proboscis, whitish hairs, not fulvous ones, on last three
abdominal segments in 2, much shorter and more bluntly pointed processes of
sternite 9 in g, and sternite 8 in J not slightly emarginate in middle.
From opacus the 3 differs, apart from certain comparisons already made in
the description, in having clear wings, dark humeral tubercles, dark sides of
thorax, blackish bullae, more contrasting yellowish on femora, especially the
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 187
hind ones, denser shortish hairs on abdomen above which, even posteriorly,
are whitish on sides, shorter, more pointed lobes of tergite 9 and shorter, less
slender processes of sternite 9.
From paganus it may be distinguished by the black or dark humeral tuber-
cles, black sides and disc of thorax, without two submedial reddish streaks,
whitish hind margins across tergites 2-6, not 2—5, black bullae, longer antennae,
much broader alula and axillary lobe, contrasting yellowish on femora below,
absence of discal patches of greyish whitish tomentum on tergites in Q, etc.
Afroleptomydas pallidipes n.sp.
This mainly pale Karoo species is unfortunately represented in the collec-
tions by a single Q specimen only. It is characterized as follows:
Body and head, with the exception of the dark eyes and labella of proboscis,
and the shining black bullae, mainly yellowish brownish or toffee brownish;
greater part of antennae, clypeus, humeral tubercles, extreme base on sides of
tergite 1, and legs paler yellowish; hind margins of tergites 2-6 (and faintly on 7)
conspicuously broadly lemon yellowish as are also the corresponding sternites on
sides.
Integument of middle part of frons, scutellum, and abdomen shining; entire
pleurae dulled by greyish whitish bloom or tomentum, as are also to a greater
extent the thorax above (in streaks) and the metanotum; legs mainly shining.
Vestiture with the hairs on head, sides of thorax above, on metanotum,
pleurae, tergites 1 and 2, toa much lesser extent sides of 3, base of venter, coxae,
inner basal parts or halves of hind femora, and on inner sides of tibiae, longish,
fairly dense, whitish; hairs on apical half of antennal segment 1 and those on 2
brownish; postvertical spines yellowish; shorter hairs in three streaks on disc of
thorax above also yellowish or pale fulvous in certain lights; sparse shortish
hairs on abdomen above, reversed ones on tergites 5-8 and on posterior half of
venter gleaming pale sericeous yellowish in certain lights; those on legs whitish;
spines and spicules on legs pale reddish.
Head with the antennae longer than thorax (excluding scutellum) ; segment
I quite 3 times length of 2; segment 3 only slightly thickened apically, longer
than club; latter elongate-conical, more swollen in apical half on inner side
than on outer side; clypeus rather prominent, convex; proboscis shortish,
somewhat laterally compressed, subequal in length to antennal segments 2 and
3, its labella ovate, more than half length of shining stem; palps small, about as
long as antennal segment 2.
Wings faintly subopaquely yellowish whitish; veins pallid; first posterior
cell apically broadly touching costal margin; discoidal cell rather longly
stalked apically; knobs of halteres pallid or yellowish.
Legs with the hind femora only slightly thickened, their double row of pale
reddish spines from near base; basal segment of hind tarsi subequal in length to
claw-segment.
188 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
Oviscape with a comb of 7 or 8 brownish spines on a side.
Holotype in the South African Museum.
Length of body: about 17 mm
Length of wing: about 12 mm
Distribution: Nieuveld Karoo: Rietvlei on escarpment near Beaufort West
(Zinn and Hesse, January 1949).
Afroleptomydas latipennts n.sp.
Leptomydas subclausus Bezzi (in part), 19245: 216. (n.syn.)
This species is the other somewhat damaged 92 from Namaqualand which
Bezzi questionably referred to his species subclausus (Afroleptomydas (Crossoproso-
pus) subclausus). There is no doubt that the 2 specimen on which this species is
based is specifically different from subclausus. It is characterized as follows:
Body mainly yellowish brownish; head in front and below and pleurae dark
reddish brownish; thorax discally above blackish, but with the sides broadly
reddish and two submedial discal streaks above also fairly broadly reddish;
humeral tubercles, an infusion on propleural part, pteropleuron and meta-
pleural part in front of halteres yellowish; dorsum of abdomen pale yellowish
brownish, with very dark reddish brownish patches on sides of tergites, and last
tergite also mainly dark reddish brownish, except for some yellowish discally at
apex; hind margins of tergites 1-7 conspicuously and broadly yellowish, and
extreme base of tergite 1 more dark reddish brownish; bullae smallish, reddish
brownish, very widely separated; hind margins of sternites very broadly and
conspicuously, and uninterruptedly, yellowish; legs mainly yellowish, their
spines and spicules pallid.
Integument of middle parts of frons and clypeus shining; thorax above,
scutellum, metanotum, entire pleurae and more or less tergites 1-3 dull, due to
greyish whitish bloom or tomentum which is fairly dense on head, but less
dense on pleurae and tergites 1-3; rest of abdomen above more or less shining;
legs dullish.
Vestiture with the hairs on head, thorax, especially sides, pleurae, metano-
tum, and abdominal segments 1 and 2 and on 7 and 8 longish, fairly dense,
whitish on most of these parts, but posteriorly on abdomen more yellowish,
and on last segment and genital parts more brownish; hairs on disc of thorax
yellowish or fulvous, and not quite as short as in many other species; hairs on
legs, especially coxae, also longish and whitish.
Head with the antennae, excepting segments 1 and 2, missing in the speci-
men, but with 1 distinctly thickened, quite 3 times length of 2; proboscis also
broken off in specimen, but judging from remaining labral part, probably
shortish; palps minute, shorter than antennal segment 2; postvertical spines
not differentiated, not observable.
Wings relatively short, markedly broad, at broadest part distinctly much
more than one-third of their length, with a distinct greyish yellowish subopacity,
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 189
or milky whitish appearance in certain lights; veins pale yellowish reddish;
second submarginal cell markedly narrowed apically; first posterior cell also
tending to be narrowed apically; discoidal cell with a rather long apical stalk;
squamal margin whitish; knobs of halteres brownish above.
Legs relatively longish, especially hind ones; hind femora scarcely or only
slightly thickened, their basal parts, relative to their thickness, rather stoutish,
and their double row of pallid spines from near base.
Oviscape with comparatively short yellowish brownish spines, as far as can
be seen about 5 or 6 on a side.
Holotype in the South African Museum.
Length of body: about 18-5 mm
Length of wing: about 11 mm
Distribution: Namaqualand: Spektakel (Lightfoot, October 1890).
Afroleptomydas luteocinctus n.sp.
Another somewhat damaged @ specimen from Namaqualand in the
collections before me also belongs to the dull-bodied section with extensive
yellowish to pale yellowish brownish on the body of the 2 above, and very
closely resembles the preceding species latipennis. It is characterized as follows:
Body with the head, thorax above, scutellum, discal part of metanotum,
pleural parts, abdomen below and laterally mainly dark; clypeus mainly dark,
but its sides appearing reddish brownish through the hairs; humeral tubercles
yellowish; the following parts pale yellowish reddish or yellowish brownish to a
variable extent: broadish sides of thorax above, two submedial longitudinal
streaks on thorax above (broadish anteriorly and thinning out posteriorly), sides
and hind margin of scutellum, sides of metanotum, hind margin of mesopleuron,
pteropleural and metapleural part in front of halteres, entire tergite 1 (except
for a dark basal spot discally), entire tergite 2 (except for a dark spot laterally),
and discal parts on more or less apical halves of tergites 3-7 (becoming less
extensive posteriorly); last abdominal segment reddish brownish; sides of
tergites 3-7 and across their basal parts above dark blackish brown; venter,
except basally, mainly dark blackish brown; hind margins of tergites 2—7 and of
the corresponding sternites broadly yellowish whitish, the basal margins of
those across the tergites being more yellowish and merging into rest of the
yellowish brownish above; bullae blackish brown, smallish, very widely sepa-
rated above; legs mainly yellowish or pale yellowish brownish, the coxae dark,
but outer sides of hind ones and lower parts of middle ones more reddish or
yellowish reddish.
Integument of middle part of frons, head below, proboscis, and to a lesser
extent anterior and lower parts of pleurae, and the abdomen from hind margin
of tergite 3 shining or subshining; metanotum, tergites 1 and 2, more than basal
half discally of 3, and across base of 4 dulled by greyish whitish tomentum like
thorax above.
Vestiture with the hairs on head, sides of thorax above, sides of metanotum,
190 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
on pleural parts, tergites 1 and 2 (especially on sides) longish, mainly whitish;
those on sides of thorax and on pleurae tinted slightly more yellowish; shorter
hairs on disc of thorax more golden or fulvous; rest of shortish hairs on abdomen
above whitish, but the longer reversed ones on last two segments darker, more
brownish or reddish brownish; hairs on oviscape also reddish brownish; hairs
on legs not long or dense, mainly whitish; spines and spicules on legs pallid or
very pale yellowish.
Head with the antennae in this specimen partly broken off, but with seg-
ment 1 slightly thickened, about 3-3 times length of 2; proboscis rather longish,
slender, much longer than vertical length of eyes, though much shorter than
thorax (excluding scutellum), without any longish hairs basally below; palps
distinct, but short, only a little longer than antennal segment 2; eyes in this
specimen rather depressed vertically along their anterior aspect; some longish,
yellowish, postvertical spines present.
Wings relatively long, tinted faintly yellowish, especially as faint borders
along veins in middle parts, and with a slight subopacity; veins yellowish to
pale yellowish reddish; first posterior cell broadly open apically; apex of dis-
coidal cell shortly stalked; hind margin of squamae more yellowish than
whitish; knobs of halteres brown above in middle.
Legs with the hind femora slightly, but distinctly, thickened, their double
row of spines below pallid, and from near base.
Oviscape with about 6 spines on a side.
Holotype in the South African Museum.
Length of body: about 21 mm
Length of wing: about 17 mm
Distribution: Namaqualand: Kamieskroon (Museum staff, September
1930).
This species differs from Jlatipennis by its slightly darker clypeus, narrower
reddish submedial discal streaks on thorax, the less extensive reddish on sides
only of metanotum, the more distinctly darkened bases of tergites 3-6 (or 7),
darker and larger bullae, distinctly longer and denser hairs on head, thorax, and
especially sides of tergites 1 and 2, more fulvous yellowish hairs on thorax above
and the much longer, less tinted wings.
Afroleptomydas suffusipennis (Brun.) n.comb.
Leptomydas suffusipennis Brunetti, 1929: 9.
A striking and characteristic species with bicolorous abdomen of dark and
yellow and bicolorous wings which Brunetti described from Rhodesia and of
which the late Dr. Arnold, of the National Museum in Bulawayo, has very
kindly submitted some specimens identified by Brunetti himself. The species is
characterized as follows:
Body with the following parts black or blackish brown or dark castaneous
brownish: the head, thorax above, scutellum, discal part of metanotum to a
variable extent, discal part of tergite 1, sides of transverse basal depression of
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA IQI
tergite 2 as well as sides in more than basal half of same tergite, a patch or
infusion of variable size on sides of tergites 3—5 in ¢ (larger on 5) and 3-4 in 9,
to a variable extent across almost entire tergite 6 and entire 7 in ¢ and across
5 and 6 and entire 7 and 8 in Q, to a variable extent sternites 5—7 in g and 3-8
in 9, and anterior lower pleural parts; the following parts yellowish to ochreous
yellowish: humeral tubercles and an area on inner sides of them, sides of thorax
above, sides of metanotum in ¢ to a variable extent, more extensive or even
greater part of metanotum in Q, pteropleural and metapleural parts around
halteres as well as upper part of hypopleuron, sides anteriorly of tergite 1, disc
and sides posteriorly of tergite 2 and of 3—5 in dg, to a variable extent 3 and 4 in
Q, to a variable extent apical part of 6 in gj and 5 in 9, basal half of venter in 3,
base of venter in Q, last sternite in 3, and lower parts of hypopygium in ¢ (the
yellow on abdomen being more ochreous or even orange, contrasting much with
the dark basal and apical parts); antennae blackish brownish or dark reddish
brownish, segment 2 yellowish, and clubs paler reddish brownish in § to more
yellowish reddish or orange in 2; clypeus yellowish brownish or reddish
brownish; proboscis reddish brownish, with black labella; hind margins of
tergites I—7 in g and 1-6 in @ yellowish whitish, those across 6 and 7 in ¢ being
narrow; hind margins of corresponding sternites also yellowish whitish on sides;
bullae relatively small, more so in 9, reddish or reddish brownish, dark- or
black-margined, widely separated above, at least twice or a little more, vertical
length of bullae in 3, in Q a little more than 4 times this length; legs mainly
yellowish, the coxae brownish or castaneous brownish, and upper surfaces of
front and middle femora, extensive upper and lateral parts of hind femora, and
last tarsal segments castaneous brownish.
Integument of central part of frons, scutellum, tergite 1 and base of 2 in 3,
as well as 6 and 7 in 9, and most of abdomen above in 9 shining; entire pleurae
dulled by greyish whitish tomentum.
Vestiture with the longish hairs on head, sides of thorax, on pleurae, sides of
metanotum, tergite 1, sides of 2, and on basal part of venter whitish; shortish
ones in streaks on thorax above also whitish; fine, shortish, fairly dense hairs
on rest of abdomen above in J yellowish to golden or fulvous yellowish, longer
and more whitish on sides of tergites 3 and 4; those on apical half of venter in
g also yellowish like those on hypopygium; reversed hairs on last three,
especially last two, abdominal segments in @ greyish whitish, appearing dark in
certain lights, those on coxae longer, whitish, but the shorter ones on front faces,
especially apically, sometimes tinted slightly yellowish; hairs on inner sides
of hind tibiae longer than rest.
Head with the antennae a little shorter than, or scarcely longer than, thorax
(excluding scutellum); segment 1 slightly thickened, quite 3 times length of 2;
segment 3 distinctly longer than club, a little less than its apical third slightly
thickened; clubs elongate-pyriform, their terminal crater-like prominence more
prominent in g than in Q; proboscis shorter than antennae, but longer than
vertical length of eyes, with a few longish hairs near base below, its labella
192 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
arrow-head-shaped, sharp pointed; postvertical spines present.
Wings characteristically bicolorous, the basal part up to apex of third
posterior cell and straight across to costal margin tinged brownish, more so
along veins, with the rest or apical part contrastingly clear, tinted subopaquely
whitish; veins yellowish brownish in tinted part, paler and more yellowish or
pallid in whitish apical part; first posterior cell fairly broadly open apically;
apex of discoidal cell very shortly stalked; knobs of halteres with a brownish or
dark brownish spot above.
Legs with the hind femora distinctly thickened, less so in 9, their double
row of spines below pallid or yellowish, beginning just before middle; hind tibiae
slightly curved, slightly less so in 9; basal segment of hind tarsi distinctly shorter
than claw-segment.
Oviscape in 2 with 6 or 7 yellowish brownish spines on a side.
Hypopygium of 3 with the lobes of tergite 9 equilaterally triangular, their
posterior angles subacute; sternite 9 conically and bluntly pointed, wrinkled
below, the wrinkles more transverse basally and curving round longitudinally
below to apex, its processes, in side view (text-fig. 6, top middle), gradually
tapering, S-curved, a little more than their apical third turned up, in dorsal view
rather narrowish, rather pointed apically.
From material in the South African Museum, Transvaal Museum, National
Museum of Rhodesia, and Division of Entomology, Pretoria.
Length of body: about 18-20-5 mm
Length of wing: about 12-6—-14 mm
Distribution: Rhodesia: Bulawayo and surroundings (September and Octo-
ber). Northern Transvaal: Njelele River (September).
Crossoprosopus n.subgen. of AFROLEPTOMYDAS Beq.
Nomoneura Bequaert (nec Bezzi) in part (for stevensoni), 1938: 343. (n.syn.)
Some species of Afroleptomydas in the collections before me differ from all
the other species of the latter genus in a combination of characters which at once
characterizes them as belonging to a distinct group or division of Afroleptomydas.
Representatives showing these characters merit a distinct subgeneric status
within the latter genus which, as at present constituted, appears to be rather
heterogeneous. To accommodate these species a new subgenus Crossoprosopus 1s
proposed which shows the following combination of characters distinguishing
it from the more typical representatives of Afroleptomydas:
Head (cf. text-fig. 7, right) with the hairs in front characteristically arranged
in tiers in at least two transverse, awning-like fringes, leaving bare and usually
shining, transverse spaces between them, except for tomentum along inner
margins of eyes, as follows: the hairs on vertex and then a smooth space across
ocellus, followed by an awning-like, fringe-like, downwardly-directed tuft at the
same level on each side just above antennae, then another smooth and hairless,
transverse space below antennae and across at least basal half and upper clypeal
part of face, followed once more by an awning-like fringe of downwardly-
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 193
directed hairs across middle or near apical part of clypeus, leaving dorsal part
and to a certain extent sides below of latter, and the genal depression, hairless;
head in front rather narrowish or even markedly so, the inner margins of eyes
being more narrowly separated than in Afroleptomydas s.str., sometimes con-
verging above and below in 33; interocular space on vertex in $¢g tending to be
subequal in width to or only a little broader than, space just below proboscis,
and, in 99, in comparison with that of most other species of Afroleptomydas s.str.,
proportionally narrower relative to width below; vertex itself rather more
deeply sunk in, especially in 39.
Wings with a tendency for first posterior cell sometimes to open compara-
tively narrowly on costal margin, sometimes subtending angularly on the
margin, appearing sessile or as if very shortly stalked.
Abdomen usually with conspicuous, broadish, ring-like, yellowish or ivory
yellowish hind margins (more conspicuous in 99) across all the tergites, except-
ing sometimes across 1, and with hind margins of all the sternites also corre-
spondingly yellowish or yellowish whitish.
Vestiture with the individual hairs relatively stiff or stoutish, more apparently
serrated; those on thorax above also in streaks as in the humeralis group of
Afroleptomydas s.str., usually in four broadish ones and a narrow central one, but
hairs are markedly depressed, decumbent and flattened against the surface;
pleurae invariably dull, due to fine, greyish or greyish whitish tomentum; hairs
on legs comparatively poorly developed, shortish and sparse, without any
longish ones on inner side of hind tibiae.
Legs with the spines on hind femora below usually whitish, pallid, or pale,
or very pale yellowish; spicules on hind tibiae below situated on distinct small
tubercles or granules and these tibiae without any longish hairs like those in
most species of Afroleptomydas.
Hypopygium of $3 not much different from those of 34 of Afroleptomydas
s.str., though the processes (cf. text-fig. 6, middle middle—bottom right) are
usually more rapidly narrowed to apex, with the base usually much dilated, the
apex tending to be more sharply pointed and bent slightly downwards, and
usually without or fewer hairs along outer ventral edge.
As the first two described species, subclausus (Bezz.) and stevensoni (Beq.),
as well as the other two species rudebecki and junodi of Bequaert, are based on one
sex only, the species maurice: of Bequaert (1963: 15) is designated as the type-
species of the new subgenus.
From the new genus Oreomydas, described farther on, which also has a
narrowish head in front, this subgenus, apart from the characteristic arrange-
ment of the hairs on head in front, is distinguished by the less markedly
narrowish head in front, the larger sensory area on apical part of antennal clubs
which is not so terminal and truncated, the distinctly longer and denser vesti-
ture, the larger, longer and broader anal lobes in $4, more conical sternite 9,
and the comparatively longer, less divergent phallic tubes.
From Nomoneura Bezz. (emended sense), which also has a narrowish head
194 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
Fic. 7 (same proportions)
Left: Front view of head (minus antennae) of 3 Afroleptomydas paganus (Gerst.) to show arrange-
ment of hair of Afroleptomydas s.str. Also separately dorsal view of left antenna and side view of
proboscis of same species.
Right: Front view of head (minus antennae) of $ Afroleptomydas (n.subgen. Crossoprosopus)
mauricei Beq. to show arrangement of hair of n.subgen. Crossoprosopus. Also separately dorsal
view of left antenna and side view of proboscis of same species.
in front and narrowish interocular space, this subgenus may at once be dis-
tinguished by the arrangement of the fronto-facial hairs, presence of hairs on
metanotum, posterior part of mesopleuron and on pteropleuron, and the
distinctly less stalked first posterior cell in wings. The various species assigned
to this subgenus are:
Afroleptomydas (Crossoprosopus) anuliventris n.sp.
A Karoo species of which the conspicuously yellow-ringed abdomen of the
Q gives it a marked wasp-like appearance resembling a masarid, or a Camp-
someris-species of the Scoliidae. It is characterized as follows:
Body rather stoutish and thick, mainly black in both sexes; antennae in 9
yellowish, the clubs more orange yellowish, in 3 mainly dark, only apical halves
of clubs reddish; clypeus in 3 reddish, in 9 brighter, more orange yellowish;
humeral tubercles in both sexes and base of tergite 1 (on sides) in 9, and extreme
base of venter in both sexes yellowish; more yellowish reddish to reddish are:
stem of proboscis in Q, postalar calli in 3, broadish sides of thorax above in 9,
basal part of scutellum in Q, sides basally of metanotum in @ to a variable
extent, area below wing-bases in both sexes, sometimes greater part of ptero-
pleuron in Q, area surrounding halteres (deeper reddish in 3), basal part of
venter, especially in 3, apical slender half of processes of sternite 9 in 3, apical
part of anal lobes of 3 to a variable extent, aedeagus and ventral part of
hypopygium to a variable extent, hinder halves and posterior faces of hind
coxae in both sexes, entire abdominal segment 8 in 9 (usually more yellowish
than yellowish reddish), and last sternite and genital segment in 9; hind margins
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 195
of tergites 1-7 in 9 and 2-7 in ¢ broadly and conspicuously yellowish, especially
in Q, that of 7 in Q yellowish in more than apical half; broadish hind margins of
sternites in both sexes and also sides of sternite 7 in 9 yellowish; bullae well
developed in both sexes, shining black, widely separated; legs in 3 reddish
brownish, the femora blackened above, and tarsi slightly paler, more yellowish,
the legs in 9 paler, more yellowish.
Integument of middle part of frons, transverse depression between tergites
1 and 2, and in 9 abdomen from tergite 3 (without coppery tomentum on 3 and
4), shining; that of tergites 1 and 2 in 9 and entire abdomen in @, and entire
pleurae and thorax above in both sexes dull; integument of abdomen above in 2
strongly transversely wrinkled in posterior half, especially across last three
segments.
Vestiture with the hairs on head, sides of thorax above, sides of metanotum,
on pleurae (where present), on tergites 1 and 2 and on coxae longer and denser,
more or less equally developed in both sexes, entirely snow whitish, the indi-
vidual hairs even more coarsely beaded or serrated in appearance than in many
other species; shortish hairs on rest of abdomen in ¢ also whitish; reversed ones
on posterior part of abdomen in Q, especially last two segments, rather dense,
stiff, bristle-like, conspicuous and fulvous like hairs on genital segment; hairs
on legs short and sparse in both sexes, a little denser on tibiae, whitish; spines
and spicules on legs also whitish.
Head with the antennae much shorter than thorax (excluding scutellum) ;
segment 1 about 2-5 times length of 2 in 9 and about 3 times in 33; segment 3
more slender in J, slightly thickened apically, subequal in length to, or even
very slightly shorter than, or sometimes a very little longer than, club; club
inflated, pyriform, its apical third rapidly conical or narrowed to terminal
protuberance, and finely silvery pubescent; proboscis short, stoutish, shorter
than vertical length of eye, its labella elongate-oval, only a little shorter than
stem; palps distinct, a little longer than antennal segment 2; postvertical spines
well developed in 9.
Wings rather long in 9, greyish hyaline in 3, distinctly, though faintly,
tinted more yellowish in 9, especially along main veins; veins pale reddish;
first posterior cell broadly touching or opening on costal margin; apex of dis-
coidal cell with a short or very short stalk; knobs of halteres brownish above.
Legs with the hind femora in ¢ distinctly thickened a little, though scarcely
so in 9, but longer in Q, their apical parts in 3 sometimes tending to be slightly
bent upwards, their double row of spines below well developed; hind tibiae
curved near apex, especially in J; basal segment of hind tarsi markedly elongate,
much longer than claw-segment; claws markedly elongate, rapidly curved down
apically.
Oviscape in ° armed with 6-8 stoutish, flattened, blunt, reddish brownish
spines on a side.
Hypopygium of 3 with the lobes of tergite 9 angularly pointed apically, their
inner hind margins together forming a broad obtuse angle; sternite 9 conical,
196 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
narrowed and bluntly rounded apically, its processes, in side view (text-fig. 6,
middle middle), with the basal half broad, and the apical half nearly straight,
slender and, in dorsal view, narrowish, slightly grooved above, at first con-
verging then diverging, and rather bluntly pointed apically, with relatively very
few hairs along outer ventral edge; epimere of aedeagal apparatus apically
broadened, scoop-like, about as broad as distance between apices of phallic
tubes, and extending only a little beyond phallic tubes.
From 2 g¢ and 2 99 in the South African Museum.
Length of body: about 17-23-5 mm
Length of wing: about 11-18 mm
Distribution: Koup Karoo: Laingsburg district. (Museum Staff, October 1931
(3 holotype) ; September 1931 (9 allotype and 1 g and 1 Q paratypes)).
Afroleptomydas (Crossoprosopus) karooanus n.sp.
Another species very near to, if not merely a distinct variety of, anulzventris,
and of which the very similar Q also has a superficial resemblance to a masarid or
to scoliids of the genus Campsomeris. From anuliventris it however differs in the
following respects:
Body in the 3 comparatively more slender, similarly coloured in both sexes,
but clypeus darker, either entirely dark in 3 or, in 9, only yellowish or brownish
on sides; the yellowish reddish on sides of thorax above in 9 more consistently
present from humeral tubercles to postalar calli; antennae in 2 darker, segment
3 mainly dark, and clubs also more darkened apically; sides of metanotum in
2 more extensively reddish; hind margins of tergites 7 and 8 in 3 more broadly
yellowish, and tergite 6 in 9 distinctly more broadly yellowish posteriorly, at
least, or more than its apical half yellowish; knobs of halteres less extensively
darkened above.
Integument similar, but that of tergites 3 and 4 in 9, apart from discal parts
of 1 and 2, duller, due to a tomentum which gleams feebly coppery in certain
lights (absent in anuliventris).
Vestiture with the hairs on last three abdominal segments in 2 darker, more
brownish.
Head with the antennal clubs distinctly less inflated or thickened, appearing
more elongated, more gradually narrowed basally, at broadest part distinctly
much more than half its length; proboscis distinctly more slender, slightly
longer, its length, from theca, distinctly more than horizontal width of eyes, its
labella very much shorter than stem.
Hypopygium of 3 with sternite g more inflated or bulbous apically, not so
narrowed and conically pointed apically as in anuliventris, more bluntly trun-
cated, its process relatively longer; epimere of aedeagal apparatus narrower,
narrower than distance between phallic tubes, comparatively longer, extending
for a longer distance beyond phallic tubes than in anuliventris.
From 5 3d and 2 99 (types and 2 gand 1 9 paratypes in the South African
Museum, and 2 ¢ paratypes in the Transvaal Museum).
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 197
Length of body: about 14-21 mm
Length of wing: about 9-17 mm
Distribution: Karoo: Murraysburg district (Museum staff, March 1931)
(3 holotype, 2 allotype and 2 ¢ paratypes). Koup: Laingsburg division
(Museum staff, February 1938) (Q paratype); Laingsburg district (Museum
staff, December 1937) (1 3 paratype). Southern Karoo: Willowmore (Dr.
Brauns, March 1910) (2 ¢ paratypes).
Afroleptomydas (Crossoprosopus) campsomeroides n.sp.
A single 9 specimen in the Transvaal Museum, from the south-western
corner of the Orange Free State, resembles the 9° of anuliventris and karooanus
very closely and like them has a marked superficial resemblance to 9° of certain
Scoliidae, such as those of the genus Campsomeris. It agrees and differs from 99°
of anuliventris and karooanus as follows:
Body also mainly dark or blackish, the non-pale yellowish parts of abdomen
above and below more castaneous brownish or reddish brownish than even in
karooanus; sides of vertex dark reddish; antennae dark brownish as in latter, the
clubs however darkened in basal parts, more orange brownish in more than
apical halves; clypeus darkish, more castaneous, like that of karooanus; reddish
infusion around yellowish humeral tubercles distinctly more circumscribed than
in the other two species; extreme sides of thorax above only very narrowly and
obscurely reddish, but postalar calli and base of thorax also yellowish reddish;
scutellum darker, more blackish; metanotum even less extensively reddish
on sides anteriorly than in anuliventris; pleurae, including metapleural part in
front of halteres, mainly dark or blackish; sides basally of tergite 1 also yellowish,
but sides of 2 more castaneous like rest of abdomen, not very dark or blackish;
hind margin of tergite 1 darker, more dark reddish brownish, not pale yellowish;
hind margins of rest of tergites also broadly and conspicuously, ring-like
yellowish whitish, also becoming broader on 5-7 as in karooanus, but only so
discally, the last tergite however dark, not yellowish or reddish; hind margins
of sternites not conspicuously and strikingly yellowish as in the other two species,
only so on extreme sides; bullae black, with some shallow, pit-like depressions
intramarginally along base; legs slightly darker, especially femora above, the
hind ones more extensively brownish, and apical parts of hind tibiae also more
darkened.
Integument with the same parts shining as in the other two species, but not
only are discal parts of tergites 1 and 2 dulled by more conspicuous greyish
tomentum, but more than basal halves of 3 and 4 are dull dark discally, with a
tomentum which gleams coppery in certain lights, very much more con-
spicuously so than in karooanus (absent in anuliventris); last three abdominal
segments also transversely wrinkled, but less coarsely so than in anulvenirts,
more like those in karooanus. |
Vestiture very similar, but comparatively slightly shorter, even on head in
front, but especially on thorax above, metanotum, on sides of tergites 1 and 2
198 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
and apical part of abdomen, and legs; hairs on head not entirely snow whitish,
those on sides of vertex, a tuft on each side at middle of frons, on sides of clypeus
above, and on palps distinctly yellowish; short, decumbent hairs in streaks on
disc of thorax and to a certain extent the slightly longer ones on extreme sides
also tinted yellowish, not whitish; rest of hairs on pleurae and abdomen whitish,
the reversed ones on last three abdominal segments comparatively shorter and
sparser, as in karooanus, but distinctly even darker, those on genital segment
even more blackish; hairs on legs much shorter, sparser, though also mainly ©
whitish; spines and spicules on legs whitish or rather pallid.
Head with the antennae distinctly proportionally longer than in other two
species, only a little shorter than thorax; segment 1 shorter, about 2-6 times
length of 2 (proportions 8:3, whereas in the other two species, these are 9:4);
segment 3 proportionally longer, even a little longer than club; latter also
relatively longer, less inflated, more rapidly narrowed to base, the latter con-
stricted for a slightly longer distance; proboscis distinctly longer, even slightly
longer than in karooanus, about 2-4 mm, though also shorter than vertical length
of eyes; some whitish postvertical spines present.
Wings also very faintly greyish yellowish, but apical half of costal cell, first
basal cell and faint borders along upper vein of latter cell, as well as along lower
vein of second basal cell and base of first posterior cell, distinctly tinted more
faintly yellowish; veins yellowish reddish, posterior ones pallid; venational
characters similar; halteres pallid, the outer upper parts of knobs brownish.
Legs as in the other two species, the hind femora comparatively shorter,
but slightly more thickened, their double row of spines below also from just
before middle; basal segment of hind tarsi also much longer than claw-segment.
Oviscape with 7 darker, more brownish, and slightly more slender, spines on
a side.
Length of body: about 17-5 mm
Length of wing: about 15-3 mm
Distribution: South-western corner of Orange Free State near Orange
River: Rooipan (Herbert) (H. Munro, 24th March 1922).
Afroleptomydas (Crossoprosopus) matetsiensis Beq.
Afroleptomydas matetsiensis Bequaert, 1963: 46, figs 4B and 10.
A yellowish reddish, not very densely-haired, species from Rhodesia, of
which the 3 was described in detail by Bequaert in 1963. To include the as yet
undescribed 9, the species is redescribed as follows:
Body and legs mainly yellowish reddish, the thorax above in ¢g and the
anterior and sternal part up to behind middle coxae however darkened more
brownish, as are also the dorsum of tergite 1 in both sexes, extreme sides of
tergites in Q, last tergite in 9, hind margins of sternites in 9, and to a variable
extent so medially in 3; antennal segments 1 and 2, basal part or half of segment
3, greater part of club, greater part of proboscis (excepting dark labella),
humeral tubercles, pteropleural part, and abdomen slightly paler, more
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 199
ochreous or orange; scutellum orange yellowish, the depression on its sides, as
well as bullae, shining black; hind margins of tergites 1-7 in both sexes broadly
and conspicuously pale yellowish, that of 1 in ¢ being narrower, less distinct,
and that of 8 in 3 sometimes also narrowly yellowish, with the pale yellow on 6
and 7 in 9 usually more extensive, extending basalwards to about or nearly
middle of the segments; hind margins of sternites 1-5 in ¢ also yellowish on sides,
dark in middle, and hind margins of all sternites in 2 usually darkened.
Integument of middle part of frons (entire frons in 9), clypeus, and in @
depressed base of tergite 2 and most of abdomen above and below, excepting
tergites 1-4 discally, shining; most of body above dull in g; pleurae in both
sexes mainly dulled by tomentum like abdomen in ¢.
Vestiture poorly developed in 9, the body almost bare, in j rather dense and
longish on head, broadly on sides of thorax above, in a submedial patch
anteriorly on thorax on each side (continued as streaks of finer, shorter and
sparser ones), at base of thorax, on metanotum, on posterior part of meta-
sternum, posterior metapleural part, tergite 1, especially sides, sides of 2, and
to a lesser extent sides of 3; all these hairs in g and those on head in 9 snow
whitish; fine hairs in streaks on thorax above in @ yellowish or fulvous, being
more whitish only on extreme sides of thorax; sparse ones on pleurae whitish;
fine hairs on abdomen in ¢ white; reversed hairs on last two abdominal seg-
ments in 2 brownish to blackish brownish; hairs on venter shortish; hairs on
legs in both sexes poorly developed, more so in 9, but denser on coxae in both
sexes, though longer in 3, whitish or greyish whitish in 3, more yellowish or
fulvous in Q; spines and spicules on legs yellowish; tomentum on head (where
present), on disc of thorax, metanotum, tergite 1, and entire pleurae greyish
whitish in 3, more yellowish or even brownish in Q.
Head with the antennae subequal in length to thorax (excluding scutellum) ;
segment I in 3 about 3 and in 9 about 2-3-2:-6 times, length of 2; segment 3
elongate, thickened apically, slightly shorter than club; the latter elongate-
pyriform to amphoriform, its apical fifth or less sharply conically narrowed to
apical protuberance, its base constricted; proboscis stoutish, longer than
anterior tarsi, its labella shortish, comparatively small, sharply pointed; palps
distinct, longer than antennal segment 2; some postvertical spines present.
Wings tinted very faintly yellowish in 3, more distinctly faintly yellowish
brownish in Q, especially along veins of which the fuscous borders render the
wings darker; veins reddish brownish; first posterior cell apically either broadly
opening on margin or touching very narrowly at a point; discoidal cell shortly
stalked apically; knobs of halteres brownish above.
Legs with the hind femora distinctly thickened in both sexes, more so in 3,
their double row of spines from near base.
Oviscape in 9 armed with 6-8 flattened, brownish spines on a side.
Hypopygium of 3 with the lobes of tergite 9 rather sharply angular
posteriorly, their inner margins together forming almost a semicircle; sternite 9
narrowed and bluntly rounded apically, its surface slightly shallowly grooved
200 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
below, its processes undulating, curving downwards then upwards in side view,
nearly the apical half tapering to a sharp downwardly curved apex, in dorsal
view flattened, slightly broadly depressed, directed inwards, rather sharply
pointed apically.
From 2 g¢ and 2 99 (9 allotype and 9 paratype in the South African
Museum).
Length of body: about 14-19 mm
Length of wing: about 11-5-13-5 mm _
Distribution: Rhodesia: Matetsi (R. Stevenson, April 1934).
This species appears to be variable in the colour of the 9 and in the apical
width of the first posterior cell which in two specimens (¢ and 2) almost touch
the coastal margin at a point. One 9 also differs from the 9 allotype in having
the body darker, more dark reddish brownish or castaneous brownish and with
comparatively narrower yellowish hind margins of the tergites.
From the other Rhodesian species stevensoni (Beq.), dealt with below, this
species differs, apart from slight colour differences, in not having conspicuous,
discal patches of tomentum on tergites 3—5, in having only about apical half of
processes of sternite g slender, and sides of the sternite itself not distinctly
verruculous.
Afroleptomydas (Crossoprosopus) stevensoni (Beq.) n.comb.
Nomoneura stevensoni Bequaert, 1938: 343, figs 7-10.
Of this species I have seen only the unique ¢ holotype in the National
Museum of Rhodesia at Bulawayo and which Bequaert described so compre-
hensively in 1938. Unfortunately the antennae are missing in the specimen. The
character which induced Bequaert to refer it to the genus WNomoneura is
apparently the nature of its first posterior cell which at its apex only touches the
costal margin at a point. As Bezzi’s definition of Nomoneura is somewhat vague
and as he confused other genera with it, Bequaert at the time could not have
referred the specimen to any other genus. There is, however, no doubt that it
belongs to the genus Afroleptomydas and that the characteristic and peculiar
arrangement of the hairs on the head in front relegates it to the new subgenus
Crossoprosopus of that genus.
It is apparently very near the preceding species matetsiensis, from the ¢ of
which it differs in having the thorax above darker; the metanotum dark;
abdomen above with dark, discal, basal, greyish-bloomed patches on tergites
3-5; pale yellowish brownish legs of which the hind femora are scarcely or only
very faintly darkened on inner aspect; its rather narrow and more sunk in
interocular space on vertex which is comparatively narrower; its comparatively
shorter proboscis which is very much shorter than vertical length of eyes; its
only very faintly tinted yellowish brownish wings; the blunter posterior angles
of lobes of tergite 9; the minutely verruculous texture on sides of sternite 9
posteriorly; and the rather slender, apically more attenuated, and less curved
downwards, processes of latter sternite.
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 201
Length of body: about 16-5 mm
Length of wing: about 11 mm
Distribution: Rhodesia: Bulawayo (October).
Afroleptomydas (Crossoprosopus) capicolus n.sp.
Leptomydas paganus Bezzi (nec Gerstaecker) in part, 1924: 214. (n.syn.)
The 3 specimen from Cape Town which Bezzi referred to, and labelled as,
paganus Gerst. is obviously not the paganus s.str. from the eastern Cape (see under
paganus). It does not agree with Gerstaecker’s good description of the latter.
Moreover, the peculiar arrangement of the hairs on the head in front, places it at
once in the subgenus Crossoprosopus together with anuliventris, matetsiensis, stevensont
and other species. In fact, it resembles the two Rhodesian species —matetsiensis
and stevensoni—very closely, but differs from them in the following respects:
Body mainly dark above; clypeus darker than in matetsiensis, even slightly
darker castaneous brownish than in stevensoni; antennae with the basal segment
reddish brownish, and clubs mainly orange as in matetsiensis; proboscis dark
reddish brownish above, paler below; thorax above dark; dark scutellum dark
reddish brownish; humeral tubercles yellowish; sides of metanotum with some
obscure reddish on sides anteriorly; pleurae mainly blackish brownish, even
hypopleural and metasternal parts dark, not mainly yellowish as in mateisiensis ;
abdomen above with the foundation colour mainly dark, even darker than in
stevensoni, but sides of tergite 1 anteriorly, sides of 2 (especially posterior half)
and narrower, extreme sides of the rest contrastingly ochreous yellowish like
venter; hind margins of tergites 1-7 broadly and conspicuously ivory yellowish,
bordered on basal side with distinct orange; hind margins of sternites corre-
spondingly whitish; bullae dull blackish brownish, widely separated by a space
wider than vertical length of a bulla, but narrower than in matetsiensis; hypopy-
gial structures mainly yellowish, though last sternite (8) darkened; discal part
of tergite 2 and greater discal parts of 3-5, and basal parts of 6 and 7 (very
narrow) appearing dull blackish, more extensively so on sides than in stevensont,
and with brownish or slightly brownish golden bloom on these parts, the discal
part of tergite 2, apical parts of 3—5 (broader on sides), more than apical half
of 6, and almost entire 7 with greyish whitish bloom; legs mainly yellowish,
the front and middle coxae darkened and inner and outer apical two-thirds of
hind femora, and an cbscure streak along upper surface of the other femora
darkened.
Integument of body above (excluding shining central parts of frons, mid-
dorsum of clypeus and transverse depression across base of tergite 2) and pleurae
mainly dull, the latter also with fine greyish tomentum.
Vestiture with the hairs as long as and as dense and arranged as in matetsiensis
and stevenson, entirely snow whitish; hairs on sides of thorax above and in a
submedial anterior elongated patch on each side also dense and longish; sides
of tergite 3, as in stevensoni, without any longish hairs; shortish ones on abdomen
above distinctly less dense than in the other two species; hairs on legs apparently
202 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
a little denser than in stevensont, also entirely whitish.
Head with the antennae longer than thorax (excluding scutellum) ; segment
1 about 2-6 times length of 2, not thickened; segment 3 slender, with less than
its apical third thickened; club elongate, shaped as in matetszensis, a little longer
than segment 3; proboscis slender, less stout than in the other two species,
subequal in length to vertical length of eyes, but distinctly longer than in
stevensont, its labella smallish; palps distinct, yellowish, longer than antennal
segment 2; some yellowish postvertical spines present.
Wings slightly more subopaquely whitish and less distinctly tinted yellowish
than in the other two forms; veins yellowish reddish; first posterior cell broadly
open apically; apex of discoidal cell stalked; knobs of halteres darkened above.
Legs with the hind femora slightly, but distinctly, thickened, their double
row of spines below yellowish; basal segment of hind tarsi rather long, longer
than claw-segment.
Hypopygium very much like that of stevensoni; sternite 9, however, longer,
more compressed apically, with a more pronounced keel apically below, the
lateral apical parts not verruculous, not longitudinally wrinkled, its processes
(text-fig. 6, bottom middle) similar to those of stevensonz, but the slender part —
(side view) longer, less sharply pointed apically, in dorsal view slightly broader,
apparently less deeply grooved above.
Holotype in the South African Museum.
Length of body: about 15 mm
Length of wing: about 12 mm
Distribution: Cape: Cape Town (without any other particulars).
Afroleptomydas (Crossoprosopus) tuliensis n.sp.
Another species from Rhodesia, with reddish sides to the thorax, which
resembles stevensont very closely and may almost be considered as only repre-
senting an autumn variety of the latter. It is, however, characterized and
different from stevensoni in the following respects:
Body mainly dark, the abdomen much darker, mainly very dark brown to
blackish brown, not mainly yellowish brownish as in stevensont; antennae mainly
black, the thickened part of more than apical half of clubs, however, orange;
humeral tubercles, a large infusion around latter, and also sides of thorax up to
wing-bases yellowish or yellowish reddish (in stevensoni not sides of thorax) ;
postalar calli and greater part of scutellum also reddish brownish or yellowish
brownish as in stevensoni; sides of metanotum to a variable extent reddish
brownish, black in latter species; posterior metapleural part and metasternal
part not yellowish as in stevensoni; sides of tergite 1 as in latter yellowish basally
and apically, but rest of abdomen not yellowish or paler along extreme sides;
hind margin of tergite 1 darker and those of 2-7 comparatively broader yellowish,
whitish, even broader and more conspicuous across 5—7; bullae also black, but
usually with some reddish in middle; venter darker, with more conspicuous and
broader whitish hind margins; hypopygium darker, more brownish or reddish
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 203
brownish than yellowish brownish; legs on the whole more brownish than
yellowish, the femora appearing darker above and hind ones distinctly much
darker or more extensively brownish or dark brownish above and on sides or,
excepting paler base, almost entirely brownish; hind tibiae much darker or even
mainly brownish, the claw-segment of all the tarsi darker or blackish.
Integument as in stevenson, the middle part of frons, dorsum of clypeus,
proboscis and head below shining; pleurae, especially anterior half, on the
whole, however, more shining and with less bloom; disc of tergite 2 and discal,
saddle-shaped, dull blackish patches on at least basal halves of 3—5 also present,
but less evident, due to darker colour of abdomen.
Vestiture with the hairs as dense and as long as in stevenson, but apparently
slightly denser on thorax above; the longer ones on head, sides of thorax, pleurae
metanotum, and on tergites 1 and 2 also mainly whitish, though discal ones on
thorax more whitish than in stevensoni; short hairs on rest of abdomen slightly
longer and with a slightly more sericeous yellowish sheen; hairs on coxae and
legs slightly longer and denser, especially on coxae, with some distinctly longer
ones basally on hind femora, and all these hairs on legs whitish; spines and
spicules on legs pallid or whitish.
Head with the interocular space on vertex comparatively broader, much
broader than length of frons from vertex to antennal bases (about subequal in
stevenson.) ; antennae longer than thorax (excluding scutellum); segment 1 not
much thickened, about 2-3 to nearly 3 times length of 2; segment 3 long,
slender, its apical part only very slightly thickened, distinctly longer than club;
latter elongate, thickest beyond middle, gradually narrowed to base, the latter
constricted for a short distance, the apical part conically narrowed from a slight
girdling ring-like ridge to apical tubercle; proboscis shortish, but distinctly
longer than in stevensoni, about 2:12-2:44 mm (only about 1-56 mm in steven-
sont), shorter than vertical length of eyes, also without any longish hairs basally
below; palps short, but longer than in stevensoni; a few whitish postvertical
bristly spines present.
Wings greyish hyaline, without the very faint suggestion of a yellowish tint
evident in stevensoni; veins on the whole darker, more brownish; second sub-
marginal cell comparatively broader apically; first posterior cell tending to be
relatively more broadly open apically; discoidal cell shortly stalked; knobs of
halteres darker above than in stevensont.
Legs with the hind femora comparatively slightly longer, but also distinctly
thickened, their double row of spines below from near base; hind tibiae com-
paratively longer, but also with whitish spicules on tubercles; basal segment of
hind tarsi also much longer than claw-segment.
Aypopygium differs from that of stevensont in having the lobes of tergite 9
less sharply pointed apically; sternite 9 distinctly much longer, more produced,
also conically narrowed apically, apparently more coarsely wrinkled, its pro-
cesses, In side view (text-fig. 6, middle right), with the slender part distinctly
shorter, and in dorsal view slightly broader, more rapidly attenuated apically,
204. ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
aedeagal part below phallic tubes comparatively stouter.
From 3 gd (holotype and 1 paratype in the National Museum of Rhodesia
at Bulawayo, and 1 paratype in the South African Museum).
Length of body: about 17-18 mm
Length of wing: about 12-12-5 mm
Distribution: Rhodesia: Tuli on the Shashi River (B.S.A.P., and—14th May,
1959).
Afroleptomydas (Crossoprosopus) junodi Beq.
Afroleptomydas junodi Bequaert, 1963: 34, figs 4C, 6(1), 8B and 9g.
This south-east African species was described by Bequaert from 2 gd
collected by Junod. It is not represented in the collections before me. From the
description it appears to be entirely different from the other species znhacae,
also from Portuguese East Africa, but which belongs to the paganus section and
not to the subgenus Crossoprosopus.
From Bequaert’s comprehensive description it is quite evident that this
species is referable to the above mentioned new subgenus. It is apparently
characterized by the chestnut brownish body and legs; the yellowish hind
margins of the tergites; the delimited, antero-median, semicircular areas of
dense golden gleaming pruinosity on tergites 2-6; the chestnut brownish venter,
without yellowish hind margins across sternites; the relatively shortish antennae
of which the clubs are elongate, conical, apically pointed and attenuated, and
distinctly longer than segment 3; the shortish proboscis; the faintly tinged and
relatively shortish wings; the comparatively shortish and sparse vestiture which
is longish only on head, sides of thorax and on two basal tergites; the rather long
and slender processes (side view) of sternite 9; shortish phallic tubes; and the
comparatively long dorsal epimere which is apparently longer than in most of
the known species.
From the ¢ of matetsiensis Beq., which is also mainly pale or light reddish to
pale yellowish reddish, it appears to differ in being more chestnut or castaneous
brownish, with more brownish bullae, tergite 1 not mainly dark, absence of
yellowish whitish hind margins on sternites, distinctly much shorter proboscis,
sparser and shorter vestiture, more distinct and delimited discal antero-medial
patches of golden gleaming tomentum on tergites 2-6, the distinctly less
thickened hind femora of which the base is more slender, the not S-curved
processes of sternite 9, relatively shorter phallic tubes, and, relative to these,
much longer epimere.
Length of body: about 16 mm
Length of wing: about 10 mm
Distribution: Portuguese East Africa: Lourengco Marques (H. Junod,
January—March 1914).
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 205
Afroleptomydas (Crossoprosopus) mauricei Beq.
Afroleptomydas mauricet Bequaert, 1963: 15, fig. 4. A.
This species described by Bequaert from a ¢ and 2 QQ, collected by J.
Maurice at Ghanzi in Botswana (Bechuanaland), is represented by a long series
of gg and 99 from the Kalahari in the Transvaal Museum. From Bequaert’s
description of the arrangement of the hairs on the head in front, it belongs to the
new subgenus Crossoprosopus of which it is here designated as the type-species.
There is no doubt that this species is variable, occurring in distinct colour
forms, and the §¢ differ markedly from the 99. As the §¢ agree in nearly all
respects with the ¢ described by Bequaert and as all of them have a distinct
shoe-horn-shaped epimere, the absence of this structure, mentioned by Bequaert
in the case of his single § specimen, is probably due to mutilation and has either
been broken off or worn off.
This species resembles both stevensoni and tuliensis.
To incorporate the numerous g¢ and 992 a supplementary redescription
of this species is as follows:
Body mainly dark or black, the abdomen in ¢ with much brownish,
yellowish brownish, reddish brown to dark castaneous- or reddish brownish,
in 2 mainly very dark or black, but sometimes very dark toffee-brownish to
even paler yellowish brownish; sides of vertex in 2 sometimes dark piceous
reddish or blackish red; antennae reddish brownish, blackish brown to black,
the clubs in middle parts to a variable extent usually orange yellowish, orange
brownish, to dark reddish; clypeus in ¢ yellowish, yellowish brownish to
castaneous brownish to a variable extent, the dorsum and lower sides often
darkened in 9, more consistently dark reddish brownish, castaneous brownish
to dark piceous reddish; proboscis yellowish reddish, reddish brownish to dark
reddish below; humeral tubercles and postalar calli in both sexes, and hind
border of scutellum in some 3, yellowish, but humeral tubercles often darkened
to a variable extent in some specimens, especially §3; posterior metapleural
part behind and below halteres often yellowish or obscurely yellowish to a
variable extent; sides basally and to a lesser and variable extent apically of
tergite 1, sides of 2 to a variable extent in both sexes, either extensively so to
surround bullae, or only along extreme sides, and also along extreme sides of 3-5
(or even 6 and 7) to a variable extent in J yellowish or at least much paler than
dorsum, and with the sides of these tergites in 2 usually black, but occasionally
with extreme sides of 2 and 3, or even 2-6, narrowly also yellowish to a variable
extent; hind margins of tergites 1-7 in both sexes prominently ring-like and
conspicuously yellowish whitish to yellowish, usually slightly broader in 9, but
in g form from Gemsbok Pan with that of tergite 1 darkened or more brownish
and with those of 6 and 7 usually narrower than even in typical Damara Pan
form and evident only discally; hind margins of tergites in some 99 from Gems-
bok Pan usually not conspicuously yellowish, but duller or more often more
brownish or even reddish; bullae shining black, usually smaller in 9, and in both
sexes usually with some distinct pit-like depressions, more often 4 or more,
206 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
behind anterior ridge-like margin; venter pale yellowish brownish to pale
brownish in g, dark or very dark blackish brown to even black in 9; hind
margins of sternites 2—7 in typical ¢ also conspicuously and broadly yellowish
whitish, usually slightly duller or interrupted along middle, and in ¢¢ from
Gemsbok Pan more obscure and confined to extreme sides on last two or three
sternites; legs in § mainly pale yellowish brownish, the coxae darker brownish,
the legs in 9 darker, more brownish, castaneous brownish to dark brown, the
upper surfaces of femora, especially hind ones, darkened to a variable extent
in both sexes, the basal parts of hind femora and tibiae usually paler, more
yellowish, and claw-segment of tarsi darkened above.
Integument of middle part of frons and dorsum of clypeus and head below in
g, and in 2 almost entire head in front excepting tomentum on sides, shining
and polished; proboscis shining; scutellum in both sexes shining; disc of thorax
dull, but with the sides, two broadish submedial streaks and a narrow central
one dulled by slightly greyish yellowish tomentum, more evident and sometimes
more golden in 9; pleurae only obscurely shining, dulled by greyish tomentum;
abdomen in 9 highly shining and polished, only tergite 1 discally and to a much
lesser extent 2 basally dulled by greyish yellowish to brownish tomentum, in ¢
abdomen mainly dulled by a slightly greyish yellowish to greyish whitish
tomentum which discally on tergite 2 and on more than basal halves, or at
least basal halves, of 3—5 and basally on 6, are replaced by tomentum which
in certain lights appears as saddle-shaped, discal, black patches, but sides of
abdomen basally and the ring-like hind margins however shining; venter in 9
shining and in J also so in at least basal half; last four segments in 9 transversely
wrinkled, more coarsely so on last two.
Vestiture with the hairs fairly dense and longish in 3 on head, thorax,
especially sides and basally, on metanotum, pleurae, tergites 1 and 2 and sides
of 3, base of venter and on coxae, the vestiture in 9 very much shorter and
sparser, being almost absent from tergites 3-6 and on venter; longish hairs on
the parts mentioned mainly snow whitish in both sexes; hairs on thorax above
arranged in 5 streaks along the streaks of greyish or greyish yellowish tomentum,
the shorter ones along broadish submedial and narrow central streaks discally
tinted slightly more sericeous yellowish to yellowish in 3, but deeper yellowish
or even subfulvous in 9; short decumbent separated ones in punctures on abdo-
men in ¢ sericeous whitish to sericeous yellowish; reversed ones on last two
abdominal segments in ° relatively sparse, dark or brownish; hairs on venter
in ¢ whitish basally, becoming slightly more sericeous yellowish apically; hairs
on legs relatively shortish, even shorter and sparser in 9, but those below front
and middle femora in ¢ fairly dense and longer than rest, and all these hairs
whitish; spines and spicules on legs whitish or pallid.
Head with the antennae more often longer than thorax (excluding scutel-
lum), but sometimes as long as or even a little shorter; segment 1 not or scarcely
thickened, sometimes slightly shorter in 9, about 2-3-2-6 times length of 2;
segment 3 elongate, more than 3 times combined length of 1 and 2, usually a
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 207
little longer than club, but sometimes subequal in length to or even very
slightly shorter in some 99, and less than its apical third thickened; club elon-
gate, amphoriform, broadest beyond middle, its apical part rapidly conically
narrowed, its base slightly constricted; proboscis either shorter than or longer
than vertical length of eyes, about 2-2-8 mm long, sometimes with some longish
hairs basally below in 3; palps distinct, usually longer in 3, but even in 2 a
little longer than antennal segment 2 or at least as long; postvertical spines
present, whitish, more perceptible in 9.
Wings in 3 very faintly, but distinctly, though sometimes scarcely per-
ceptibly, tinted yellowish or greyish yellowish, sometimes slightly more so along
veins, in 2 more infuscated, either uniformly yellowish brownish to brownish or,
as in one form, with distinct, conspicuous and consistent clear or clearer areas at
base of first basal cell, in front of appendix in first submarginal cell, and along
middle of all the cells in hinder half, including second submarginal; veins
brownish or reddish brownish, usually darker in hinder half; first posterior cell
either fairly widely open apically, or narrowly opening, or sometimes even
angularly subtending, on costal margin; base of second submarginal cell of
variable width, sometimes even angular, and its appendix also of variable
length; discoidal cell usually distinctly stalked apically, sometimes rather longly
so; knobs of halteres brownish to dark brownish above.
Legs with the hind femora distinctly thickened, less so in 9, subclavate,
their double row of pallid spines below from near base, in some specimens or
forms tending to be less numerous and farther spaced; spicules on hind tibiae,
especially below, situated on small granules; basal segment of hind tarsi usually
distinctly longer than claw-segment; claws in 3g longer and even strongly
developed.
Oviscape in 2 with from 7-10, usually 8 or 9, yellowish brownish to dark
brownish spines on a side.
Hypopygium of 3 with the lobes of tergite 9 triangular, rather sharply angu-
lar or subangular apically; sternite 9 rather inflated, bluntly conical, bluntly
rounded apically, appearing truncate or subtruncate apically in side view,
grooved or sulcate vertically below apically, the surface transversely wrinkled
basally below and obliquely longitudinally on sides to a variable extent, its
processes, in side view, S-curved, the slender part rather long, gradually
narrowed to apex, curved upwards apically, but extreme apex bent downwards,
in dorsal view broadish, directed inwards, gradually narrowed apically and
apex sharply pointed, slightly depressed above, grooved or furrowed below
along inner side; epimere of aedeagal apparatus shoe-horn-shaped, narrowish,
only slightly widened apically, quite twice length of phallic tubes.
From 51 gg and 36 99 in the Transvaal Museum and the South African
Museum.
Length of body: about 12-18-5 mm
Length of wing: about 8-14 mm
Distribution: Kalahari in Botswana (Bechuanaland) : Damara Pan (Vernay-
208 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
Lang Kalahari Expedition, 15th—-21st April 1930); Kaotwe (Vernay-Lang
Kalahari Expedition, 8th—-1gth April 1930); Gemsbok Pan (Vernay-Lang
Kalahari Expedition, 23rd April-May 1930).
As indicated in the description this species is distinctly variable, represented
by the following forms:
(1) A form from Kaotwe and Damara Pan in which both the 3 and 9 have
conspicuous yellowish hind margins on tergites I-7, consistent yellowish humeral
tubercles, and distinct clear or clearer areas in cells in hinder halves of wings
in Q. :
(2) A Gemsbok Pan form in which the hind margin of tergite 1 in ¢ is
darker, duller or more brownish, and yellowish hind margins of 6 and 7
narrower, obscure or present only discally, the hind margins of tergites in 9
usually darker, more brownish or reddish, the humeral tubercles darkened to a
variable extent or entirely dark, and wings in 9 uniformly infuscated, without
distinct clearer areas in cells.
(3) A slight transitional form, also from Gemsbok Pan and from Ghanzi,
in which the @ has distinct yellowish hind margins to tergites, but uniformly
infuscated wings, and dark humeral tubercles.
(4) Another slight transitional form, also from Gemsbok Pan, in which the
2 has darkened tergal hind margins, but slightly clearer areas in cells in wings,
and darkish humeral tubercles.
The distribution of these slightly different forms are in agreement with the
phenomenon of marked localization of species and varieties of the family in
South Africa. The two localities, Kaotwe and Damara Pan, which are not very
far apart, constitute an area of the distribution of one form, but nearly 70 miles
to the north-west at Gemsbok Pan, with a slightly different type of environment,
the Damara Pan form still occurs, but is being replaced by varietal forms of
which one, the numerically preponderant one (No. 2), may be looked upon as
an incipient species which will eventually replace the other less common
transitional forms and evolve into a species distinct from that of Damara Pan.
From the 3 of the more northern species stevensoni, from Rhodesia, which it
also closely resembles, the 3 of mauricei may at once be distinguished by the
much longer proboscis, comparatively broader interocular space, absence of
extensive reddish around humeral tubercles and anterior lateral part of thorax
above, relatively broader and more conspicuous hind margins of tergites 3-6,
longer hairs on sides of tergite 3, slightly longer processes of sternite 9, and
distinctly larger, more inflated sternite 9.
Afroleptomydas (Crossoprosopus) kaokoensis n.sp.
Two somewhat damaged 9° specimens from the Kaokoveld in the Transvaal
Museum appear to represent the Kalahari species mauricei in the north-western
part of South West Africa. They are without doubt very near mauricei, agreeing
and differing from 99 of the latter, especially the form from Gemsbok Pan
(No. 3), in the following respects:
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 209
Body with the abdomen less elongate, proportionally broader; the body
similarly coloured; clypeus however much darker, very dark blackish brown to
black; yellowish brownish infusion around the pale yellowish brownish humeral
tubercles distinctly more extensive; posterior metapleural part below halteres
entirely dark or black like rest of pleurae; sides of tergite 1 more reddish
brownish only across base and sometimes extreme sides; hind margins of
tergites comparatively more narrowly yellowish, tending to be narrower and
duller discally than on sides, and that of tergite 7 sometimes wider than in
mauricet; bullae slightly narrower or smaller, sometimes more brownish across
posterior part; venter distinctly darker, as dark as abdomen above, the hind
margins of sternites more conspicuously yellowish, especially up to sternite 5,
scarcely or more narrowly darkened in middle (very broadly so in mauricet) ;
legs with the femora on the whole tending to be slightly darker brownish.
Integument with the same parts shining, though tergites 1 and 2 tend to be
very slightly duller discally; last two abdominal segments distinctly more feebly
and more shallowly transversely wrinkled, tergite 6 scarcely or not wrinkled at
all (in maurice: 6, and also 5 to a certain extent, usually also wrinkled).
Vestiture with the hairs and tomentum developed to the same extent, as short
and sparse, also mainly whitish; minute ones on disc of thorax also more
yellowish brownish; shortish hairs on sides basally of tergite 1 even shorter than
in mauricei, not whitish, but more yellowish, yellowish brownish to brownish
like rest of minute ones discally on 1 and 2; reversed hairs on last two abdominal
segments sparser and slightly shorter, but also dark.
Head with the antennae very much shorter, though slightly longer than
thorax (excluding scutellum) ; segment 1 about 2-3 times length of 2; segment 3
proportionally shorter than in mauricei, though also subequal in length to club;
the latter similarly shaped, but shorter; proboscis distinctly very much shorter
than in mauricei, very much shorter than vertical length of eyes, only about
I-32-1-6 mm (2-2-8 mm in mauricet).
Wings uniformly tinted or infuscated yellowish brownish to brownish,
without any clearer areas in cells in hinder half, more like the ‘Gemsbok Pan
form’ of mauricei; venational characters similar.
Legs with the hind femora thickened to the same extent, their double row
of spines below whitish; hind tibiae slightly more curved near apex.
Oviscape with some of the brownish spines missing in the specimens, but
apparently with about 7 or 8 on a side.
Length of body: about 13 mm
Length of wing: about 9-5-10 mm
Distribution: South West Africa: Franzfontein in the Kaokoveld (C. Koch,
16th May 1948).
Afroleptomydas (Crossoprosopus) orangiae n.sp.
A single 3 specimen from the Orange Free State, with its antennae unfor-
tunately missing, constitutes one of the only two known species of mydaids from
210 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
that Province. Superficially it resembles the three species capzcolus, stevensoni
and mauricei, but appears to be nearer capicolus. From the latter it differs in
having the clypeus comparatively smaller and even darker; the metanotum
entirely black; abdomen above also very dark blackish brownish or dark
castaneous brownish, but paler, more yellowish on extreme sides, less contrast-
ingly yellowish, and sides of tergite 2 more extensively darkened, the tergites 3-6
discally with similar dull blackish patches on at least basal halves and with the
same golden shining bloom in certain lights; hind margin of tergite 1 much
narrower yellowish, and those of 2—7 also distinctly narrower yellowish whitish,
their basal margins scarcely, or not, bordered with distinct orange yellowish;
venter and hypopygium more yellowish than ochreous yellowish; the vestiture
very similar, mainly snow whitish; the wings tinted very slightly more yellowish
than sub-opaquely whitish, the veins darker brownish; proboscis comparatively
shorter, only about 2 mm long (about 2-4 mm in capicolus) ; the lobes of tergite 9
more sharply angular apically; sternite g distinctly less compressed towards
apex, without a keel in apical half below, its processes, in side view (text-fig. 6,
bottom right), with a comparatively shorter slender part, relatively narrower
in dorsal view, with sharper points, and not so distinctly bent outwards apically.
From stevenson it may at once be distinguished by the dark and slightly
shorter clypeus; broader interocular space on vertex; longer and more slender
proboscis; less extensive yellowish reddish around humeral tubercles; posterior
black, not yellowish, metapleural part; much darker abdomen above, the
blackish patches slightly more extensive on sides of tergites; fine hairs on abdo-
men distinctly less dense; less thickened hind femora; more sharply angular
apices of lobes of tergite 9; the processes of sternite 9, in side view, more rapidly
narrowed to apex, appearing less slender, and the sternite itself distinctly longer;
and epimere of aedeagal apparatus slightly broader apically.
From the ¢ of mauricez it may also be distinguished by the much darker and
shorter clypeus; darker abdomen above, with comparatively narrower ivory
yellowish hind margins, especially across tergites 3-5; distinctly sparser short
hairs on abdomen, and with fewer or scarcely any long hairs on sides of tergite
3; no puncture-like depressions in bullae; and less slender and comparatively
shorter processes of sternite 9.
Holotype in the Transvaal Museum.
Length of body: about 14mm
Length of wing: about 10 mm
Distribution: Orange Free State: Bothaville (A. Roberts).
This 3, coming from more or less the same geographical areas as the 9 of
campsomeroides, cannot represent the ¢ of the latter. It apparently has too few
structural characters in common with this 9. Its unknown 2 would more likely
resemble that of mauricez.
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA PFW A
Afroleptomydas (Crossoprosopus) vansoni n.sp.
This other species from the Kalahari, which I am naming after the ento-
mologist, the late Dr. G. van Son of the Transvaal Museum, who was a member
of the Vernay-Lang Kalahari Expedition in 1930, differs from all the other
described species of this subgenus in the rather longish vestiture and dense
greyish yellowish or creamy yellowish hairs on the thorax above. It is charac-
terized as follows:
Body mainly dark castaneous brownish, the frons, thorax above, pleurae,
and in 2 abdomen, slightly darker, and discal part of tergite 2, more than discal
halves of 3-5 and bases of 6 and 7 in g saddle-shaped and also appearing very
dark and blackish; antennae mainly yellowish brownish, brownish to dark
brownish, greater part of clubs however more orange yellowish; clypeus, head
below, and greater part of proboscis, excepting its dark labella, pale yellowish
brownish to reddish brownish; humeral tubercles yellowish; an infusion around
latter, the notopleural fold, extreme sides of thorax above to a variable extent,
postalar calli, base of thorax sometimes, greater part of scutellum (excepting
dark discal part), sides of metanotum sometimes, more often part of ptero-
pleuron, metapleural part in front of halteres, and posterior metapleural part
behind and below halteres reddish brownish; sides basally of tergite 1 and to a
variable extent narrowish sides of 2-5 yellowish; hind margins of tergites 1-7
in both sexes conspicuously ring-like yellowish whitish, narrowed on sides in 3,
then broadened again in posterior lateral corners, those of 2-4 (or 5) in ¢
usually broader than rest and that across 7 in 2 much broadened, halfmoon-
shaped and present only discally; last tergite in 9 yellowish reddish apically
above; bullae black, but more often reddish or reddish brownish in hinder part
or half; venter in 3 pale yellowish brownish, usually darkened beyond sternite
5 or in apical part, entirely dark in 9; sternites 1-7 in § and 1-6 in 9 yellowish
whitish, but broadly darkened in middle; hypopygial structures mainly pale
yellowish brownish, the processes of sternite 9 more yellowish reddish; oviscape
yellowish reddish; legs mainly pale yellowish brownish, the hind femora in
apical half slightly darker, more brownish on upper and outer parts.
Integument of vertex in front and middle part of frons, clypeus above, pro-
boscis, head below, and area around humeral tubercles shining; thorax above,
metanotum and pleurae mainly dulled by greyish tomentum, the thorax above
with the usual 5 streaks of greyish bloom; abdomen in 2 mainly shining, but
discal parts of tergites 2-4 slightly duller, due to fine dark bloom which, in
certain lights, appear coppery reddish, the last three segments transversely
wrinkled; abdomen in 3, excepting sides of tergites 1 and 2 and extreme sides
of 3-5 or more and certain shiny spots on sides basally of 3-6, mainly dulled by
greyish tomentum which on the saddle-shaped darker or more blackish discal
parts appear dark, but gleam coppery reddish in certain lights; venter more or
less shining in both sexes and transversely wrinkled to a variable extent, more
so posteriorly.
Vestiture rather long and dense in both sexes, appearing longer and denser
212 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
than in some of the other species, more like that of tulzensis, slightly longer and
denser in ¢ than in Q, the hairs in streaks on thorax above rather dense, those
on sides of metanotum, pleurae, tergites 1 and 2 and sides basally of 3, and even
4, in g long and very dense, almost villose; hairs on thorax above and, in 4,
to a lesser extent also on vertex distinctly dull greyish yellowish to creamy
yellowish, not whitish as in most other species; hairs on head in front and below
snow whitish, and those on pleurae, metanotum, tergites 1-3, and coxae also
whitish; shorter ones on abdomen above and slightly longer ones on venter in
$ gleaming more sericeous yellowish; reversed hairs on last two abdominal
segments in 9 rather sparse and brownish; hairs on legs denser and longer in
g, mainly whitish in both sexes; spines and spicules on legs whitish.
Head with the antennae usually a little shorter than thorax (excluding
scutellum), but sometimes in 3 subequal in length to it; segment 1 only very
slightly thickened, about 2-15-2-3 times length of 2; segment 3 elongate,
distinctly longer than club, with a little less than its apical third thickened; club
elongate-pyriform, thickest beyond middle, slightly constricted basally, sub-
truncate towards apex before ending in apical prominence; proboscis markedly
short, stoutish, projecting only a little beyond buccal cavity, only about 1-36—
1-6 mm and much shorter than vertical length of eyes, its labella ovate; palps
distinct, small, at least as long as antennal segment 2; some whitish postvertical
spines present.
Wings in ¢ distinctly faintly tinted yellowish, darker and more yellowish
brownish in 9 and more so along veins in middle part; veins yellowish brownish,
darker in hinder half, the basal parts, costal and first veins yellowish; first posterior
cell relatively broad, broadly open; apex of discoidal cell stalked; apex of first
submarginal cell closed in one ¢ (holotype), but apparently not a consistent
character; halteres and knobs pale yellowish.
Legs with the hind femora distinctly thickened in both sexes, their double
row of spines below from just before middle; hind tibiae rather stoutish; basal
segment of hind tarsi in 3 subequal in length to, slightly shorter, or a little
longer than, claw-segment, in 9 distinctly longer than claw-segment.
Genital segment of 2 with the last vertical sclerite almost smooth, not rugose,
with setiferous punctures only.
Oviscape with about 7 yellowish brownish, slender spines on one side and 6
on the other.
Hypopygium of 3 with the lobes of tergite g angularly pointed apically;
sternite 9 conical, conically pointed, transversely wrinkled basally below, and
obliquely longitudinally so on sides to a variable extent, its processes, in side
view (text-fig. 6, top right), slightly S-curved, gradually narrowed to apex, the
extreme apex slightly bent downwards, in dorsal view shallowly grooved along
inner side, fairly sharply pointed apically, the apices slightly divergent; shoe-
horn-shaped epimere of aedeagal apparatus narrowish and only slightly
broadened apically.
From 5 gd and 1 2 (gd holotype, 2 allotype and 3 ¢ paratypes in the Trans-
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 213
vaal Museum, and 1 ¢ paratype in the South African Museum).
Length of body: about 13-5-15 mm (stretched —16 mm)
Length of wing: about 9-5-12 mm
Distribution: Botswana (Bechuanaland) Lake N’Gami region: Maun
(Vernay-Lang Kalahari Expedition, 18/5—7/6/1930) (¢ holotype, 9 allotype,
and 2 :
WSS
\
Fic. 24
Left: Side view of left hind leg of $ Cephalocerodes bequaerti n.gen. et n.sp.
Right: Right side of head of 3 of the same species.
dark castaneous or dark piceous brownish; venter to a variable extent dark
toffee brownish, darker posteriorly; legs very dark castaneous or blackish
brownish to almost black, the tibiae sometimes paler, more yellowish brownish,
and tarsi even more yellowish; hind margins of tergites 2-6 (sometimes 2-5)
narrowly, but conspicuously, ivory yellowish or whitish; hind margins of
sternites I—5 at least slightly more broadly pallid or yellowish whitish, more so
on sides; bullae black and shining, much larger and longer transversely than in
preceding two species.
Integument of greater part of vertex, frons, clypeus, head below, scutellum,
pleurae, abdomen above and below and the legs shining; that of thorax above
dull leathery, with two very faint and obscure, submedial, discal streaks of
greyish tomentum perceptible in certain lights; integument of metanotum dull,
leathery, but with a fine greyish tomentum evident in certain lights; abdomen
above acicularly setiferously punctured, more so posteriorly; pleurae with faint
greyish tomentum perceptible in certain lights on mesopleuron anteriorly and
posteriorly and on hypopleural and metapleural parts.
Vestiture very dense, long and brush-like on head in front (cf. text-fig. 24,
right), especially facial part, long and dense on thorax above, the hairs more or
less along two broadish, submedial, discal streaks, denser anteriorly and broadly
so on each side laterally, separated by three streaks; metanotum, unlike that of
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 363
two preceding species, without any hairs, even on sides; the hairs very dense
and long on sides of tergite 1 and base laterally of 2, markedly dense and long
on legs, villose and bottle-brush-like on hind femora (cf. text-fig. 24, left), denser
on front and middle tibiae than on hind ones (all the hairs on legs very much
denser than in two preceding species); vestiture coloured as follows: those on
inner parts of tubercles on vertex whitish, the very dense and long ones around
antennal bases and facial part contrastingly snow whitish, the rest of hair on
head blackish brown; hairs on thorax above mainly very dark brownish to
blackish brown, with some whitish ones in front of scutellum; those on pleurae
and sternal parts also very dark blackish brownish; dense tuft on sides of tergite
1 and anteriorly in basal lateral tuft on 2 contrastingly whitish; rest of short,
decumbent hairs in acicular punctures on abdomen above, as well as hairs on
hypopygium and those on venter, very dark blackish brownish; those on legs
also very dark blackish brownish to blackish, but some longish ones on upper
inner basal part of hind femora whitish.
Head (text-fig. 24, right) with the relationship between vertex, fronto-
facial width and interocular space on head below as 38:38:18 to 50:50; 21;
interocular space on vertex thus relatively very broad, about as broad as fronto-
facial width at about level of antennae and comparatively broader than in
preceding two species and about 2-1—2-38 times width of space on head below;
clypeus relatively narrower and smaller than in eremobius; antennae (text-fig. 24,
right) markedly shorter than interocular space on vertex, shorter than head,
segment 1 markedly thickened, incrassate, very much more so than in the other
two species, quite twice, or a little more, length of the rather prominent segment
2, segment 3 short, shorter than 1 and 2 together; club inflated, ovate, spindle-
shaped, ending in a rather long, teat-like apical process; clypeus smaller and
narrower than in the other two species; proboscis (cf. text-fig. 24, right), though
short and only about 0-8-1-12 mm long, resembling that of species of Cephalo-
cera, slender and with small labella; palps minute.
Wings tinged yellowish brownish in basal and anterior half up to base of
second submarginal cell, due mostly to faint borders along veins in this region;
veins brownish; first and second submarginal cells only slightly, or normally,
narrowed apically; first posterior cell on the other hand sometimes tending to be
narrowed apically; discoidal cell, unlike that of eremobius, normally and broadly
open apically on basal part of posterior vein of first posterior cell, its apex thus
stalked; anal cell, unlike that of eremobius, only very shortly, or scarcely, stalked
apically; alula much reduced, almost wanting; knobs of halteres very dark or
blackish brownish above.
Legs with the hind femora (text-fig. 24, left) more like those of species of
Cephalocera, distinctly much thickened to a slightly variable extent, even incras-
sate, subspindle-shaped and curving slightly outwards, flattened on inside,
armed below with more numerous and, though slender, stronger, apically-
directed, blackish spines than in two preceding species, beginning at about, or
just beyond, middle and situated on slight tubercles; front and middle tibiae
364. ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
with denser and longer hairs along outer face in basal two-thirds or more and
which are distinctly denser than on hind tibiae; latter, unlike those of the other
two species, with only very short and scarcely distinguishable spicules apically
(apart from the spurs); basal segment of hind tarsi also longer than claw-
segment; claws more curved down apically, not so sickle-shaped as in the other
two species; pulvilli a little longer, nearly reaching apex of claws.
Hypopygium with the lateral lobes of tergite 9 relatively narrower, more
sharply pointed than in the other two species; scoop-like sternite 9 usually
shorter than 8, also deeply and angularly indented posteriorly as in eremobius,
its upwardly and apically inwardly curved processes relatively shorter and
stouter than in preceding two species and, as in the case of eremobius, without
any distinct inwardly-directed basal process.
From 5 gd in the South African Museum.
Length of body: about 9-11-:3 mm
Length of wing: about 6-16—-8-8 mm
Distribution: Koup Karoo: Prince Albert Road (Railway Station) (A. J.
Hesse, July 1945).
Subfamily Mydainae Beq.
Orthomydainae-Oligoneurinae Bequaert, 1961 (a: 16 and b: 14 and 15).
Mydainae Bequaert, 1963: 3.
To accommodate all the genera of Mydaidae in which the aedeagus of the
33 is single, ending in a single phallic tube or gonopore, Bequaert suggested the
subfamily Orthomydainae in 1961 (a: 16 and b: 14 and 15), for which denomi-
nation he subsequently (1963: 3) substituted two separate subfamilies, the
Mydainae and the Diochlistinae.
The representatives of these two subfamilies differ from §¢ belonging to
the other subfamily Syllegomydainae, in which the aedeagus is double and
ending in two phallic tubes, also in certain other characters which enable us to ~
allocate the 9° as well. These other supplementary and distinguishing characters
are venational ones and centre around anomalies of the second submarginal
cell and the presence of a posterior cross-vein in the hind border of the wings.
As far as the second submarginal cell is concerned it either opens normally
on the second vein, in which case there is also present a distinct posterior cross-
vein in the hind border of the wings, or the cell opens directly on the costal
margin and with or without a posterior cross-vein, or three submarginal cells
are present of which the normal second one is represented by an enclosed cell
between the normal first and the additional third.
These wing characters, as referred to in the paragraphs dealing with the
classification of the Mydaidae and also in the key to the subfamilies and genera,
enable us to allocate the various genera to two distinct subfamilies, the Mydainae
and Diochlistinae of Bequaert.
The only representative of genera with a single aedeagus in Southern
Africa is the genus Eciyphus of Gerstaecker and which is to be assigned to the
subfamily Mydainae.
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 365
Representatives of this subfamily, as stated in the introduction and in the
key to the subfamilies and genera, are characterized by the presence of only
two submarginal cells in the wings of which the second opens either normally on
the second vein (in which case a posterior cross-vein is also present in hind
border), or the cell more frequently opens on the costal margin itself. The genus
Ectyphus Gerst. belongs to the first category of this subfamily.
Genus ECTyPHus Gerst.
Ectyphus Gerstaecker, 1868: 92. Bezzi, 19245: 194. Séguy, 1928: 133 and 141.
Cephalocera Macquart (nec Latreille), 1838: 13 (I).
This genus which Gerstaecker first described from South Africa is
apparently confined to southern Africa as was stated by Bezzi in 1924. Species
described from other geographical regions outside Africa as belonging to this
genus will probably be found to belong to other closely related genera. North
American species, formerly referred to this genus, have already been transferred
to the genus Opomydas by Curran. The supposed occurrence of Ectyphus in South
America is also doubtful.
From all the other known genera represented in southern Africa it may
at once be distinguished by the following combination of characters:
Body rather shortish, plump or stoutish, more bulky in 99, the abdomen
broadish, plump and bulky; extreme anterior, basal, lateral part of tergite 1
rather tumid and inflated.
Integument of thorax above finely or more coarsely rugulose or shagreened in
appearance; that of abdomen above usually with fine or more coarse areolar
microsculpture to a variable extent or sometimes even subscabrous or
shagreened.
Vestiture relatively very poorly developed, greater part of body being almost
bare, the §¢ however slightly more hairy; hairs on head, pteropleuron, coxae
and legs, especially tibiae, the longest; metanotum bare; hairs on thorax above
and on abdomen minute and, in 99, wanting on most of abdomen, even those
on last segment very short, not so reversed or pointing forwards as in 99 of other
genera; metapleural part in front of halteres and rest of metapleural and upper
metasternal parts bare in both sexes.
Head with the face (clypeal part) (text-fig. 25) comparatively broad, much
broader than in other genera, sometimes dilated or broadened lobe-like antero-
laterally, giving the clypeus a flat-nosed shape, on sides either or almost touching
the inner eye-margins, overlying the genal grooves; inner margins of eyes
emarginate on sides of frons above antennal insertions; proboscis either rudi-
mentary, vestigial, or only very short, confined to buccal cavity, differing from
that of most other genera in having, in proportion to its length, relatively large
sometimes rather long, broadish, fleshy and not horny labella (cf. text-fig. 25
top right), covered with more distinct, more conspicuous, or even relatively long,
hair-like spinules; palps distinctly longer, more slender than in most genera.
Wings rather broadish, distinguished from those of all other known South
366 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
African genera in having a distinct cross-vein in the veinless hind border;
second submarginal cell opening on second vein; first posterior cell opening on
costal margin as in Afroleptomydas; third posterior cell usually rather truncate
apically, not much narrowed or obtuse as in some other genera, usually more
posterior than level of first posterior; discoidal cell usually more acute apically.
Legs with the hind femora usually markedly thickened or incrassate, more
so in $3, with two rows of spines below and also with a short row of 2 or more
spines above these on each side near apex (hind femora thus actually with four
rows of spines); hind tibiae characteristic, somewhat compressed, sharply
carinate along middle below, ending apically below in a tibial process which
in some 9° are however wanting; hind trochanters with 1 or 2 distinct spines
below.
Genital segments in 9° usually withdrawn into segment 7; last perpendicular
tergite with a central keel-like carina as in other genera, but the oviscape-
sclerite on each side which also bears a row of spines is rather narrowish.
Hypopygium of 33 (cf. text fig. 26) covered below by sternite 8 which
appears scoop-like, sternite 9 being hidden by the latter and not prominent and
unconcealed as in the other genera; lateral process or prong on each side from
concealed sternite 9 armed below with a palp-like or flattened lobe-like process
or appendage; aedeagus tubular, stoutish, conical, ending apically in a cowl-like
or inverted cup-like cap and a fairly large gonopore.
Geographically this genus seems to be better represented in the more
wooded and forested parts of the south-eastern and eastern Cape, Natal and
Transvaal. Only one rather aberrant species occurs in the south-western Cape.
It has not been recorded from the Karoo, western Cape, Namaqualand and
north-west Cape.
The type-species is Ectyphus pinguis Gerst.
The known species and their varieties may be separated by the following
key:
1. (a) Proboscis much shorter, smaller, much reduced or even rudimentary, its labella much
reduced, very much shorter, smaller, very much shorter than buccal cavity; clypeus
distinctly broader, more broadened lobe-like on sides, its sides very near to or touching
eye-margins; hind trochanters with at least 2 spines; apical process of hind tibiae below
much shorter, usually much shorter than apical width of tibiae above process and in
O° very short or sometimes wanting; disc of thorax above without two conspicuous
submedial streaks of much coarser or rather longitudinally arranged coarse rugae or
rugulose sculpture Ay fs at a rt: ai fe Ba ie 2
(6) Proboscis much longer, more developed, its labella large, conspicuous, fleshy, occupying
most of length of buccal cavity; clypeus much narrower, scarcely or not broadened lobe-
like on sides, farther away from eye-margins; hind trochanters with only 1 spine; apical
process of hind tibiae below more strongly developed, longer in both sexes, as long as or
much longer than apical width of tibiae above process; disc of thorax with two more
conspicuous submedial streaks of more coarse, more or less longitudinally arranged
rugae in front half Be. am nie a ie ae a SF 2) SO
—
ho
(a) Clypeal part of face characteristic, relatively broader, more triangular, flat-nosed-like,
the sides at first slightly indented from narrow base, then broadly dilated or roundly
broadened lobe-like, usually with much sparser and shorter hairs which are not stiffish
(0)
= (@)
(0)
a (@
wa
(0)
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 367
or bristly; clypeus, humeral tubercles and inflated lateral basal part of tergite 1 and to a
variable extent extreme base on sides of tergite 1 behind inflated part conspicuously
lemon yellowish, pallid or pale yellowish; proboscis very rudimentary, not longer
than half length of buccal cavity; hind margins of tergites 2-7 usually very broadly
yellowish on sides, even if interrupted medially above, often occupying nearly or about
or even more than half of tergites on sides; dorsum in 99, even if with interrupted
yellowish hind margins, not contrastingly ochreous yellowish or brownish; apical
process of hind tibiae relatively shorter in §¢ and either absent or very short in 99 3
Clypeal part of face not so characteristically triangular, more uniformly convex, more
semicircular, its sides from base more outwardly rounded and continuous with broadened
sides near apical part, usually with either very much denser and longer hairs or with
denser stiffish or bristly ones; clypeus, humeral tubercles and inflated lateral basal part
of tergite 1 not, or not all of them, conspicuously pale lemon yellowish or pale yellowish;
proboscis slightly longer, longer than half length of buccal cavity and, if very short,
clypeus at least not triangularly flat-nosed-like; hind margins of tergites, if yellowish,
either only so on sides or complete dorsally, distinctly less broadened on sides, much less
than half length of tergites; dorsum of abdomen in 99 usually contrastingly ochreous
yellowish or brownish to a variable extent; apical process of hind tibiae relatively
stronger in known gg and even in 29 strongly developed .. we af ss 5]
Integument of dorsum of abdomen (tergites 2-basal half of 7) with distinctly coarser
microsculpture, either areolar and finely shagreened in appearance or even subsca-
brously areolar or rugulose or more transversely more coarsely rugulose and ‘nadel-
rissig’; yellowish hind margins of tergites, especially in jg, more narrowly interrupted
dorsally or not at all; wings tinted more yellowish or yellowish brownish, usually less
uniformly so, the middle parts of apical and posterior cells being clearer or less tinted;
legs usually more reddish brownish to yellowish .. a 3 4
Integument of dorsum of abdomen with distinctly very much ae aehiae or ee
microsculpture; yellowish hind margins of tergites, especially in g, more broadly
interrupted dorsally, in 2 complete and also across tergite 1; wings on the whole darker,
tinted darker, more uniformly smoky brownish to almost black in ¢ and even in 2
darker brownish, with darker veins; legs in g, especially hind ones, much darker, very
dark brownish to almost black and in 92 also darker brownish. .
3 Pirenis var. feecralion n.
Vestiture on head, body and legs, especially on abdomen and hind femora, even in 3d,
distinctly less dense, shorter, the abdomen not appearing markedly hairy; abdomen in
3d, apart from yellowish hind margins, either mainly dark or black or very dark
blackish brown; integument of abdomen above mainly with either fine, areolar or
shagreen-like microsculpture or with more coarsely rugulose or subscabrous micro-
sculpture; legs in $¢, especially hind femora, either darker, more reddish brownish,
darkened above to a variable extent, or mainly pale yellowish, and in known 29 more
yellowish oe é : ae 5
Vestiture on body and oe especially yatta a ea aa in ie aie longer,
denser, the abdomen above appearing markedly hairy or pubescent; abdomen in 4, apart
from broadish yellowish hind margins, with tergites 1 and 2 and discally, narrowly and
transversely across apical parts of 3 and 4 darkened, the rest sometimes reddish; integu-
ment of abdomen more or less coarsely transversely rugulose or aciculately punctured;
legs in $ at least more luteous or yellowish reddish .. ¢ capillatus n.sp. (2 unknown)
Abdomen above with finer, areolar microsculpture, having a shagreened appearance,
the yellowish hind margins of tergites in g¢ more broadly interrupted discally, at least
twice or more than twice length of yellowish lateral part, in 2 either complete or inter-
rupted discally by more reddish to a variable extent; venter yellowish brownish, with
narrower yellowish hind margins, occupying less or much less than hinder half of
sternites, the last sternite in ¢ darker, more reddish brownish to brown; wings in ¢
more uniformly tinted brownish, the middle parts and apical and posterior cells less
conspicuously clearer .. : a ae ea 3 Q pinguis Gerst. s.str.
Abdomen above with geencay coarser, areolar, or more rugulose, or semiscabrous
microsculpture, the yellowish hind margins of tergites in $d either more narrowly
368
(b
(b
. (a
)
SE
wa
=
)
~—
ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
interrupted above (the space being distinctly much less than twice length of yellowish
lateral part), or complete and uninterrupted; venter dark, black or yellowish in ¢g,
with much broader yellowish hind margins, occupying at least, or even more than,
hinder half of sternites, the last sternite in $¢ pale yellowish; wings, even in 3, less
uniformly tinted, the middle parts and apical and hinder cells more evidently clearer
6 ($d) (22 unknown)
Hind margins of at least tergites 2-5 broadly yellowish only on sides, being interrupted
above discally by darker or more reddish brownish and tergite 1 without any yellowish
across hinder part; integument of abdomen above slightly more coarsely subscabrous;
metanotum without any extensive reddish on sides submedially; venter mainly black or
very dark, with broad yellowish hinder halves; hind legs darker, more reddish brownish,
extensively darkened above; wings on the wholé more darkly or deeper yellowish
brownish, with middle parts of apical and posterior cells clearer to a lesser extent
3 pinguis var. karooensis n.
Hind margins of tergites 2-7 broadly and completely yellowish (Ceramius-like), only a
little narrower above than on sides and tergite 1 also with a broad, conspicuous, yellow-
ish ring across hinder part; integument of abdomen above duller, slightly finer sub-
scabrous; metanotum with a reddish infusion submedially on each side; venter paler
yellowish, with much broader yellowish hinder parts; legs much paler or lemon yellow-
ish, the hind femora more yellowish, darkened only along inner upper face and laterally
in apical part; wings less tinted, more yellowish, with the apical and posterior cells
more extensively, or almost entirely, clear or clearer .. 3 pinguis var. ceramiiformis n.
Proboscis more developed, distinctly longer, at least half length of, or as long as, buccal
cavity; palps longer, distinctly longer than antennal segment 1; clypeus usually more
yellowish and sides of thorax above either reddish or reddish brownish and sometimes
also much of humeral tubercles and, if dark, proboscis is longer; disc of thorax usually
with three velvety black streaks; legs, in 2 at least, paler, more reddish brownish, the
tibiae even paler Si ; ss 33 he : a aes dys 8
Proboscis less developed, saints shorter, scarcely half length of buccal cavity;
palps shorter, only as long as, or shorter than, antennal segment 1; clypeus darker,
more brownish or reddish brownish and sides a thorax above black or dark, including
much of humeral tubercles; disc of thorax with only two conspicuous, broadish, sub-
medial, velvety black streaks, the rest of surface with ashy grey bloom; legs darker,
reddish brownish to dark brown, even tibiae dark .. $s .. ® bitaeniatus n.sp.
Hairs on head, body and legs distinctly longer and denser, those on clypeus not rela-
tively sparse, and all the hairs mainly whitish or at least paler; ochreous yellowish on
abdomen above in °° more extensive, broader, occupying also discal part of tergite 6
and hinder part of tergite 1 to a variable extent; hind margins on sides of tergites 2-5
or 6) whitish or pale yellowish whitish in both sexes; first posterior cell markedly
broad apically; hind tibiae in both sexes with the carina below more strongly developed,
ending in a longer, more prominent process, the tibiae appearing more compressed.. 9
Hairs on these sites distinctly shorter, sparser, those on clypeus relatively sparse and
more bristly and all the hairs darker, those on vertex and upper frons even more brown-
ish and the rest on head, body and legs more fulvous to fulvous reddish; ochreous
yellowish on abdomen above in @ distinctly less extensive, narrower, occupying only
narrower discal parts of tergites 2-5, w ithout any ochreous on tergite 1; hind margins
of tergites, in 9 at least, reddish and more evident on sides of 2-4; fet posterior cell
normally broad apically; hind tibiae, in Q at least, with a feebler carina below, ending in
a much shorter apical process, the tibiae appearing more cylindrical
2 abdominalis Bezz. (3 Seer
Ochreous yellowish on abdomen above in 9 distinctly more extensive, much broader;
the black on sides narrower; sides of tergites and last tergite with distinct, rather coarse,
sparse puncturation, the last tergite also more transversely wrinkled; proboscis dis-
tinctly longer, almost as long as buccal cavity; ocellus yellowish; wings distinctly tinted
darker, more brownish; antennal segment 1 relatively longer, quite twice, or even a
little more, length of 2; hind femora relatively more thickened
Q flavidorsalis n.sp. (¢ unknown)
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 369
(6) Ochreous yellowish on abdomen above in ? narrower, the black on sides much broader;
sides of tergites and last tergite in Q without any, or very much fewer, much sparser
puncturation and last tergite not or scarcely wrinkled, smoother; proboscis in both sexes
distinctly shorter, only about half length of buccal cavity; ocellus reddish; wings in
both sexes clearer, only feebly tinted slightly yellowish in middle part; antennal segment
1, especially in 9, relatively shorter, a little less than twice length of 2; hind femora
relatively less thickened; (g mainly black, the abdomen black, with reddish hind mar-
gins on tergites 2-5 (or 6), whitish on sides) .. Hi i 3 & pretoriensis Bezz.
10. (a) Legs mainly pale, the femora reddish brownish in 3, the hind ones often darkened to a
variable extent, femora in 2 entirely pale yellowish like the tibiae; clypeus dark reddish
or reddish brownish in g, paler reddish or yellowish reddish in 9; antennae yellowish,
yellowish reddish to reddish; reddish part of thorax paler in both sexes, more yellowish
reddish or pale yellowish whitish, broader in 9; wings tinted more brownish or reddish
brownish at ay bi s ae ib 3 2 armipes Bezz. (typical)
(6) Legs, in g at least, very dark or black, only underparts apically of front and middle
femora, front and middle tibiae and tarsi more yellowish brownish; clypeus in g very
dark or black; antennae entirely dark or black; reddish parts on ions very dark and
obscurely reddish; hind margins of tergites dull and inconspicuously yellowish or
greyish yellowish, more evident on sides; wings distinctly much darker, very dark
blackish brown to black Bt oi Bc 3 armipes Bezz. (a dark form of)
Ectyphus pinguis Gerst.
Ectyphus pinguis Gerstaecker, 1868: 92, pl. 1, figs 6 and 7. Bezzi, 19245: 196.
Cephalocera longirostris Macquart (nec Wiedemann), 1838: 13.
Cephalocera longicornis Macquart, 1838: 14 (error in transcription).
As there are at least four known forms of Ectyphus in the southern and south-
eastern Cape with a very similar pattern of yellowish markings on the head and
body and as pinguis itself appears to be distinctly variable the true identity of
the type-species pinguis s.str. becomes imperative.
To arrive at this it is necessary not only to compare specimens very care-
fully with Gerstaecker’s good description and figures of this species, but also to
try to locate the original locality from where the type specimens came. Ger-
staecker’s specimens were collected by Drége, a collector who was known to
have collected mostly in the southern Cape and more especially in the eastern
Cape in the neighbourhood of Port Elizabeth and adjacent parts.
Most of the specimens in the collections before me which I presume to be
pinguis s.str. on the strength of both Gerstaecker’s description and figures and on
the identification of Bezzi and other authors were collected either at Port Eliza-
beth or other localities in the same region and usually not along the extreme
coastal forested dunes.
The ‘Cephalocera longirostris’ of Macquart (1838: 13) is, as stated under
Arenomydas mger (Macq.) in this revision, not a Cephalocera but an Ectyphus
(the only South African genus which has a ‘petite nervure transversale au bord
interieur’ in the wings). From notes on the specimen so identified in the National
Museum in Paris kindly supplied by Dr. L. Tsacas, it is evident that at least
three errors are involved in Macquart’s identification. Firstly the specimen
is a J and not a 9. Secondly it is not a Cephalocera and not the species longirostris
of Wiedemann, and thirdly there is an error in transcription (‘longicornis’ for
370 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
‘longirostris’) where the same specimen is compared with Cephalocera nigra
(Arenomydas niger) on page 14. Dr. Tsacas also states that a label “Ectyphus
pinguis Gerst.’ was subsequently attached to it by Séguy. From Macquart’s
very brief description of his longzrostris (p. 13) it is quite evident that Séguy
identified it correctly and that it is a 9 of Ectyphus pinguis Gerst. which is a
variable species occurring in at least 3 distinct varieties, as described below.
Specimens, both gg and 99, which agree with Gerstaecker’s description
are characterized as follows:
Body mainly dark, dark reddish brownish -to blackish brown, the dark
parts of head and disc of thorax nearly or mainly black, the abdomen above in 9
usually more reddish brownish, usually darker in 3 to almost black; pleurae
either reddish brownish to even black; antennae yellowish brownish in ¢ to
yellowish in 2, segments 1 and 2 or sometimes only 2 in ¢ often pale or yellowish,
the clubs yellowish or more orange in apical half, sometimes strikingly orange
yellowish in 9; clypeus strikingly lemon yellowish to orange yellowish; vertex
on each side usually reddish to a variable extent; also pale lemon yellowish to
pallid or even almost whitish are: the humeral tubercles, broadish sides of
thorax above to wing-base, inflated basal part on sides of tergite 1 including
extreme lower basal angle of tergite 1 below inflated part, extreme sides of junc-
tion between tergites 1 and 2, broadish hind margins of 2—7 on sides in ¢
(broadest on extreme sides and broadly interrupted discally above, though usu-
ally a little narrower on 3), broadish hind margins of 2-6 (or 7) in @ (also
broadest on sides, but more narrowly interrupted above discally, or sometimes
not interrupted, or sometimes less broadly yellowish there, but more often not
interrupted posteriorly across 5 and 6), and broadish hind margins of sternites
1—6 in both sexes; reddish or reddish yellowish are: a spot anteriorly on thorax
on inner side of humeral tubercle (usually more extensive in 9), sides of thorax
from wing-base to include postalar calli, a medial discal spot or infusion of vari-
able extent on thorax (usually more extensive in 2), hind margin of scutellum to
a variable extent, a spot on each side of metanotum, more extensive in Q, an infu-
sion on propleural tubercle, sides of tergite 1, hind margin and junction between
1 and 2, in both sexes sometimes hinder half of 1 and middle discal part of hind
margins of 2-4 and, in 3, sometimes also 2-6 or 7 and much of the last two
tergites in 9; extreme sides of tergites 2-7 in 9 to a variable extent and inflexed
margins of tergites below in ¢ black; venter, apart from ivory yellowish hind
margins, mainly yellowish brownish or reddish brownish in both sexes, but
usually darker in some 33, especially in basal or apical half, the sides of sternites
usually darkened in Q; genital parts mainly yellowish brownish to reddish
brownish; bullae reddish brownish to blackish brown, the narrow or linear
bullae themselves usually darker or blackish, sometimes very narrow, short, or
even wanting in some 99; legs yellowish brownish to reddish brownish in d,
more yellowish in 9, especially tibiae and tarsi, the coxae and hind legs in 3
darker reddish brownish.
Integument of most of frons, except shining middle ocellar part, dull, longi-
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 371
tudinally wrinkled; discal part of thorax above dull, finely rugulose; that of
pleurae subshining, with faint bloom; postalar calli and hind margin of scutel-
lum more shining; tergite 1 above, and especially depression between 1 and 2,
the yellowish hind margins of tergites and, in 9, also sides of abdomen and last
segment, as well as greater part of venter in both sexes, shining; tergites 2—7
in ¢ above with distinct, fine, areolar microsculpture (shagreened in appear-
ance) and setiferous punctures which on last two segments become transverse
or ‘nadelrissig’, the last sternite transversely wrinkled, the tergites in 9 with the
same areolar microsculpture, but slightly finer and only discally on 2-6 (only
on basal part or half of latter); integument of hind femora, in 3 at least, with
fine, areolar sculpture and transversely wrinkled to a variable extent, less so in 9.
estiture on head and body greyish whitish, tinted sericeous yellowish,
becoming slightly more distinctly sericeous yellowish towards end of abdomen in
3 above and below; that on abdomen above in g moderately sparse and
shortish, in 9 minute and sparse, even on last two segments; hairs on legs also
longer and denser in 3, longer than in some of the varieties, greyish whitish,
but tinted slightly sericeous yellowish in certain lights.
Head (cf. text-fig. 25) with the antennae much shorter than thorax (minus
scutellum) ; segment 1 short, only about twice length of 2 in J, a little less in 9;
segment 3 very slightly thickened apically, distinctly shorter than club; latter
almost spindle-shaped, but broadest much nearer apex, its base constricted for a
short distance; clypeus characteristically triangularly flat-nosed-like, its sides
at first slightly indented from narrow base, then dilated or broadened lobe-like;
proboscis rudimentary, subequal in length to, or scarcely or not much longer
than, antennal segment 1; palps distinct, rod-like, rather longish, sometimes
even subequal in length to proboscis.
Wings tinted yellowish brownish to distinctly brown in both sexes, some-
times darker so in g, the middle parts of submarginal cells, first posterior cell,
third posterior and anal cells, as well as hind border, often slightly less tinted
or clearer, especially more evident in some 99, and extreme apex of wings
(apices of first posterior cell and hind border) usually clearer still, appearing
whitish; veins yellowish to yellowish reddish; apex of second submarginal cell
narrowed, tending to be narrower there than apices of first submarginal and
first posterior cells; apex of discoidal cell more often shortly stalked to a variable
extent; knobs of halteres more often entirely pallid or yellowish above.
Legs usually with 2 (rarely 1) spines on hind trochanters; hind femora dis-
tinctly thickened, very much so and incrassate in g, armed below with 1-3
spines basally, then a double row and apically on each side an outer row of 2
or 3, all these spines yellowish reddish to reddish; hind tibiae compressed below,
with a prominent and sharp keel below, more prominent in 3, ending apically
in g in a sharp prong, shorter than apical width of the tibia, without or with
only a very feeble prominence in 9, without any or with only 1 spicule laterally
apically below in 3 and 2 or 3 (apart from apical spurs) in 2; basal segment
of hind tarsi distinctly longer than claw-segment.
372 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
Hypopygium of 3 (cf. text-fig. 26) with the apical angle of lateral lobes of
tergite 9g usually bluntly obtusangular; ventral appendage or process below
process or prong of concealed sternite 9 palp-like, slightly longer than hind claw;
aedeagus as described for the genus and as shown in text-figure 26.
In the collections of the Albany, Natal, South African and Transvaal
Museums.
Length of body: about 11-18 mm
Length of wing: about 8-5-12-5 mm
Distribution: Eastern Cape: Port Elizabeth (February) ; Swartkops (Novem-
ber); Dunbrody: Kleinmond near Port Alfred (January); Kasouga near Port
Alfred (December); Port Alfred; Cuylerville near Kleinmond (December).
A 2 specimen in the Transvaal Museum, from the collection of the late
Dr. Brauns and with the yellowish hind margins of the tergites rather broadly
interrupted, has a locality label “Tulbagh 10/xii/1927’. This locality cannot be
correct for this species appears to be restricted to the scrub forest and wooded
parts of the eastern Cape and has not been recorded from any part in the
western Cape Province.
This species, however, appears to be very variable in size, colouration,
infuscation in the wings and the extent to which the yellowish hind margins of
the tergites in 29 are developed or interrupted discally above. Apparently it is a
plastic species varying in certain directions according to its topographical and
probably botanical habitat, and to such an extent that certain distinct varieties
are recognizable.
Three such varieties are described below:
Ectyphus pinguis var. lttoralts n.
This eastern Cape and coastal form, frequenting the scrub- or sclerophyll-
covered coastal dunes of the southern coast from Jeffrey’s Bay to a little beyond
Port Elizabeth, and which does not occur inland beyond this extreme coastal
belt is a distinct variety which has been confused with pinguis s.str. in some
collections. It may almost be considered as a distinct subspecies if the very much
finer microsculpture on the abdomen and, in 3, also the longer and denser hairs
on the hind femora be taken as of subspecific value.
It, and more especially the 3g, differs from pinguis s.str. in the following
respects:
Body on the whole much darker, especially in 3, the dark parts in ¢ either
or almost black, the legs in J very much darker, the femora, especially hind ones,
very dark blackish brown to black, the tibiae often also dark, only the knees,
extreme apices of tibiae and front and middle tarsi yellowish; legs in 9 either
yellowish as in pinguis s.str. or often also slightly darker, more yellowish brownish
than yellowish; pattern of lemon yellowish and yellowish reddish on head and
thorax identical, the conspicuous very pale yellowish whitish or pallid inflated
part on sides basally of tergite 1 and sides of same tergite as conspicuous, but
sometimes tending to be slightly more extensive; hind margins of tergites in J
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 373
Fic. 25
Oblique ventral view of head of $ Ectyphus
pinguis var. litoralis n. to show broad flat-
nose-like clypeus, much reduced proboscis
and ventral view of right antenna.
Right top: Ventral view of left antenna of
3 Ectyphus armipes Bezz.
Right: Side view of proboscis of g Ectyphus
armipes Bezz.
yellowish whitish, ivory yellowish or lemon yellowish, confined to extreme sides,
the interruption dorsally usually being broader to much broader than in typical
pinguis; hind margins of all the tergites (1-7) in @ distinctly and relatively
broadly and uniformly yellowish, only broader on sides, the medial discal parts
not tending to be more reddish or even slightly interrupted as in some of the
typical 99 and hind margin of 1 always completely yellowish, not more reddish
or dark; venter in g mainly or more extensively dark, the hind margins of
sternites being more narrowly yellowish than in typical form, in 9 usually also
relatively darker and, if mainly pale, the yellowish hind margins apparently
narrower.
Integument of abdomen above with distinctly very much finer, areolar
microsculpture in both sexes, smoother, distinctly less dull and shagreened
discally, that of 2 especially very fine and minute.
Vestiture slightly longer and denser in 4, especially on abdomen posteriorly,
distinctly so on hind femora and, even in Q, hairs on hind femora are relatively
longer, the hairs on body and legs however similarly coloured.
Head (text-fig. 25) with the antennae as in typical form, the club usually
also a little longer than segment 3; proboscis similar.
Wings on the whole tinted darker, more blackish brown or smoky brownish
to almost black, especially in 3; veins usually darker.
Legs very similar, but apical ventral process of hind tibiae relatively longer
in g and, though short in 9, usually more prominent than in typical 9.
Hypopygium of 3 (text-fig. 26) with the posterior angles of lateral lobes of
tergite g more often tending to be more bluntly acutangular, less obtuse;
appendage below process of sternite 9 relatively shorter than in typical J, only
about as long as hind claws.
From 46 gd and 22 99 (g holotype, 9 alloptype and 36 g and 19 @ para-
374 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
types in the South African Museum, 7 § paratypes in the Transvaal Museum,
2 2 paratypes in the Rhodes University, 1 g paratype in the University of
Stellenbosch and 1 g and 1 Q paratypes in the collection of Dr. M. Bequaert of
Gand in Belgium).
Length of body: about 11-19 mm
Length of wing: about 8-5-13 mm
Distribution: Eastern Cape: Jeffrey’s Bay near Humansdorp (South African
Museum, January 1960) (¢ holotype, 2 allotype, 14 3 and 13 @ paratypes) ;
Jeffrey’s Bay (Brauns, 1924) (1 g paratype) and December 1932) (6 ¢ para-
types); Jeffrey's Bay (J. Heyns, December) (1 3 paratype); Papiesfontein,
Gamtoos mouth (South African Museum, January 1960) (22 ¢ and 7 Q para-
types) ; Van Staden’s mouth (South African Museum, January 1960) (1 ¢ para-
type); Port Alfred (F. Junor, February 1955) ( 1 2 paratype).
Fic. 26
Side view of hypopygium of 3 Ectyphus pinguis v. litoralis n. showing the single aedeagus with
its hood- or cowl-shaped apical part (more enlarged on left in oblique, ventral view and separ-
ately also its rather large oval gonopore), and the processes of sternite 9 with the palp-like
appendage (also enlarged on left).
Ectyphus pinguis var. karooensis n.
Two ¢ specimens, from the late Dr. Brauns’ collection in the Transvaal
Museum, obviously belong to pinguis Gerst., but constitute a distinct southern
Karoo or Little Karoo variety which differs from the typical form in the
opposite direction to that differentiating the preceding variety litoralis from
pinguis s.str.
They agree with the typical form in colour and the colour pattern and have
the same parts of the head and body lemon yellowish, yellowish reddish and
black respectively; the lemon yellowish on extreme basal part on sides of tergite
1 however more extensive.
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 375
They however differ in having the integument of abdomen above (which
has similar yellowish hind margins, also interrupted medially discally, but
relatively narrower so) distinctly more coarsely or more rugulosely sculptured
or shagreened and duller, the more areolar microsculpture of the typical ¢¢
being replaced by distinctly more subscabrous or rougher rugulose sculpture.
The venter is on the whole much darker and the yellowish hind margins of
sternites relatively broader, more conspicuous, the last sternite entirely yellowish.
Wings similarly infuscated, but there is a greater tendency for the middle
parts of the submarginal cells and cells in hinder half to be clearer, less tinted.
Legs with the hind femora darker, sometimes much darkened above and
even from about middle below, and the microsculpture of these femora, apart
from the slightly coarser transverse wrinkles, also more coarsely areolar or
shagreened and duller.
Head with the antennae apparently relatively longer; segment 3 and the
club, though having the same proportions, apparently slightly longer.
Both the holotype and paratype in the Transvaal Museum.
Length of body: about 13~-17-5 mm
Length of wing: about 10-12:5 mm
Distribution: Southern Karoo: Willowmore (Dr. Brauns). Probably col-
lected in the more wooded Georgida and Uniondale side rather than on the
Karoo side of Willowmore.
Ectyphus pinguis var. ceramitformis n.
Still another very distinct inland variety of pinguzs from the late Dr. Brauns’
Karoo collection, but unfortunately represented in the collection by only a
single g specimen. It is obviously very near the variety karooensis if not merely an
extreme form of the latter and has a very striking resemblance to species of the
masarid-genus Ceramius. It may be distinguished from the more typical pinguzs,
slight forms of the latter and from the var. karovensis in the following respects:
Body differs from karooensis in having the hind margins of all the tergites,
including the first, very broadly and conspicuously, uninterruptedly yellowish,
on sides being even much broader than half the length of a tergite, the abdomen
appearing very strikingly yellow-ringed as in species of Ceramius; venter mainly
yellowish, due to almost entire sternites being yellowish; entire sides of tergite 1,
including inflated part, unlike those of pinguis s.str. and var. karooensis, very
extensively and continuously yellowish with the broader hinder part of tergite
1; front and middle legs conspicuously pale yellowish, not yellowish brownish
or reddish brownish as in karooensis and more typical $3; hind legs, including
lower face of hind coxae, also very much paler yellowish, but with the inner
dorsal part and apical part laterally of hind femora brownish; antennae very
pale yellowish, the apex of segment 3 darkened and the club orange yellowish.
Integument somewhat similar to that of the var. karooensis and different from
that of typical 33 of pinguis and slight forms of the latter in the relatively duller,
coarse, scabrous, or rugulose, sculpture on abdomen above, the sculpture how-
376 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
ever slightly less coarse than in karooensis, but distinctly more so than in typical
form.
Wings distinctly less tinted than in either of the other two; the hinder half,
including greater middle parts of the submarginal cells and first posterior cell,
however more extensively clearer or more hyaline; veins more yellowish.
Holotype in the Transvaal Museum.
Length of body: about 18 mm
Length of wing: about 14°25 mm
Distribution: Southern Karoo: Willowmore (Dr. Brauns).
Ectyphus capillatus n.sp.
Two ¢ specimens from the eastern Cape Province may almost be con-
sidered as still another, rather hairy, more inland or eastern Karoo variety or
subspecies of pinguis, but as the hairiness of the abdomen is rather conspicuous
and much longer than in pinguts and its varieties, and as they also differ in other
respects they are considered as representing a distinct species which agrees and
differs from colour forms of pinguis and the var. karooensis in the following
respects :
Body with the head and thorax and tergites 1 and 2 dark or black as in
both these forms, but tergites 3—7 either also pitch brownish and black, or
sometimes paler, paler reddish brownish; venter, excepting dark extreme sides
and inflexed sides of tergites, on the whole or sometimes much paler yellowish
brownish or reddish brownish; antennae, or at least club, paler, more luteous;
other pale yellowish and reddish parts and markings on head and thorax same
as those of pinguis and its varieties, the hind margins of tergites also ivory yellow-
ish and also much broadened on sides as in var. karooensis; hind margins of
sternites also yellowish; legs yellowish reddish.
Integument similar to that of var. karooensis, that of abdomen however even
slightly coarser, more transversely rugulose or ‘nadelrissig’, and that of hind
femora smoother, more shining.
Vestiture, especially that on abdomen and legs, distinctly very much denser
and much longer and slightly more sericeous yellowish (the abdomen appearing
distinctly more hairy) ; hairs on hind femora, especially above, distinctly denser,
longer, more villose.
Head with the antennae as in var. karooensis, slightly longer than in more
typical forms, with the club distinctly longer than segment 3 (but probably as
variable as in pinguis and its varieties where it is sometimes shorter, sometimes
subequal to or sometimes longer).
Wings infuscated yellowish brownish as in the pinguis series, but less uniform
than in pinguis, more like those of the var. karooensis, with clearer or less infuscated
parts apically in middle of submarginal cells and middle parts of posterior cells;
veins more yellowish.
Legs as in var. karooensis, but with more numerous spines in outermost
lateral row on hind femora.
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 277
Hypopygium similar to that of pinguis and its varieties, but with the apical
part of process of sternite 9 relatively longer, not much shorter than appendage
(in pinguis s.str. much shorter than appendage).
The holotype in the South African Museum and paratype in the Transvaal
Museum.
Length of body: about 16-17 mm
Length of wing: about 13 mm
Distribution: East Cape: Brakkloof near Grahamstown in the Albany dis-
trict (G. White, 1907) (holotype) ; Resolution in the Albany district (A. Walton,
January 1924) (paratype).
Ectyphus pretoriensis Bezz.
Ectyphus armipes Bezzi, subsp. pretoriensis Bezzi, 1924): 197.
This slightly variable species from Pretoria which Bezzi described as a
subspecies of his armipes from Natal, and of which the types are in the South
African Museum and 2 gg and a 9 are in the Transvaal Museum, is without
doubt an entirely different and distinctly separate species.
It differs from armipes, which is dealt with farther on, in the following
respects:
Head with the clypeus much broader, more lobe-like dilated on sides
apically, touching and very slightly overlapping eye-margins, sometimes entirely
black in some 3; proboscis much reduced, very much smaller, the labella very
much shorter, more reduced; antennae sometimes dark or entirely blackish,
shorter, the clubs shorter, more ovate-pyriform, their narrowed or constricted
base much shorter.
Wings rather long, only faintly subopaquely greyish hyaline to very faintly
yellowish brownish in middle parts, not darkly infuscated; veins very pale,
pallid or pale yellowish; first posterior cell tending to be markedly broad api-
cally, more than in other species; halteres pale yellowish.
Abdomen distinctly smoother, more shining, without fine, areolar micro-
sculpture; tergite 1 with much finer longitudinal grooves, especially in g;
hind margins of tergites only yellowish on extreme sides, more broadly inter-
rupted discally with reddish brownish in ¢ and, in 9, with the dorsum of 1-6
extensively ochreous yellowish; tergite 7 in 9 darker, more castaneous or blackish
brownish.
Legs sometimes very dark in 3; hind femora distinctly less thickened in both
sexes; hind trochanters usually with 2 (not 1) spines below; hind tibiae with the
apical process below distinctly shorter in both sexes, much shorter than width
of tibia above process.
Vestiture with the hairs relatively longer on head, thorax above, pleurae,
coxae and legs, denser on head and thorax; disc of thorax with 3 velvety black
streaks separating 4 streaks of greyish whitish tomentum, which are more
conspicuous.
Hypopygium of 3 with the appendage below process on each side of sternite 9
378 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
narrow, palp-like, not flattened or broad and flap-like.
From pinguis, with which it agrees in its broadish clypeus, the presence of 2
spines on hind trochanters, finer grooves on tergite 1 and in the structure of the g
genitalia, it differs in the more semicircular clypeus, the slightly more developed
proboscis, relatively longer palps, more ovate-pyriform antennal clubs, smoother
abdomen, different colour on abdomen above in Q, clearer wings, and presence
of a longer apical process on hind tibiae below in 9.
This species shows closer affinities with the species abdominalis from the
Western Province and the Karoo species flavidorsalis described below.
From the former it however differs in the clearer wings, pale halteres,
paler legs, more developed apical process on hind tibiae in 9, denser and longer
and more whitish hairs and broader ochreous yellowish on dorsum of abdomen.
From the new species flavidorsalis the 2 differs in the narrower, ochreous
yellowish on abdomen above, absence of distinct, coarse, sparse punctures on
sides of tergites and on last tergite, shorter proboscis and less dark wings.
Length of body: about 12-5-16 mm
Length of wing: about 11-14 mm
Distribution: Transvaal: Pretoria (September).
Ectyphus abdominalis Bezz.
Ectyphus abdominalis Bezzi, 19245: 198.
This somewhat aberrant species from the south-western Cape is still repre-
sented in the collections by only the unique 2 type from Montagu on which
Bezzi based his description. It shows some affinities with pretoriensis.
It differs and is distinguished from all the other species by its large,
markedly broad, convex, pale yellowish reddish clypeus which slightly overlaps
the eye-margins; smallish proboscis which is however larger than that of pinguis;
rather longish palps; deep or dark reddish parts of thorax; smoothish abdomen
of which the dorsum (dorsal or discal parts of tergites 2-5) is ochreous yellowish
and hind margins of tergites which are more reddish brownish than in the
preceding series of species; darker reddish brownish femora and less yellowish,
more pale yellowish brownish, tibiae; more cylindrical hind tibiae, with only
a very short, dentate process apically below; hind trochanters with 2 spines
below; infuscated wings of which most of the infuscation is in form of narrowish
brownish borders along veins; dark halteres; and reddish or fulvous brownish
vestiture of which the hairs on head are rather stiffish and somewhat sparse
and those on thorax above and on tergite 1 are very short and sparse.
Length of body: about 15 mm
Length of wing: about 12-5 mm
Distribution: Western Cape: Montagu (January).
Ectyphus flavidorsalis n.sp.
Another slightly variable species in the collections of the Transvaal
DO
YY
Museum, represented by only two 99, superficially resembles the 2 of pretoriensis
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 379
and even more so that of abdominalis, from the latter of which they may be
distinguished as follows:
Body mainly dark, but with the clypeus yellowish; antennae yellowish
brownish, the clubs darker basally and apically; humeral tubercles yellowish
reddish, but darkened discally; sides of thorax above, postalar calli, an infusion
anteriorly around humeral tubercles extending backwards on each side as an
abbreviated submedial fascia, and hinder border of scutellum, paler, more
yellowish reddish than in abdominalis; metanotum laterally also extensively
yellowish or yellowish reddish; pleurae with area below wing-base, sutural
parts, hinder part of pteropleuron, metapleural and upper metasternal parts
more yellowish reddish than reddish; sides laterally of tergite 1 and base of
venter much paler than in abdominalis, more pale yellowish to pallid; broad
discal parts of 2 on sides above, or entirely, and those of 3-5 (or sometimes also
6) and sometimes also hinder half or part of tergite 1 more broadly and exten-
sively ochreous yellowish, only extreme sides of 2—5 (or 6) being blackish or dark,
this black extending dorsalwards just in front of hind margins; hind margins of
tergites 1-6 more yellowish than in abdominalis and on sides of 2-6, especially
2-4, conspicuously ivory whitish or yellowish (darker and more narrowly and
obscurely yellowish reddish in latter species) ; bullae dull black; last tergite, and
sometimes also one before it, also either dark reddish brownish or dark; venter
yellowish in basal half, dark on sternites 5—7 in holotype, more uniformly
reddish brownish in paratype, the hind margins of sternites whitish or ivory
yellowish in holotype, less yellowish in paratype, but in both specimens paler
than in abdominalis; legs also reddish brownish, the knees more conspicuously
pale yellowish.
Integument as in abdominalis, the abdomen however slightly less brilliantly
shining, except last two segments; pteropleuron larger, with coarser striae;
extreme sides of tergites 2—5 with slightly more numerous, denser puncturation
and more numerous punctures on last two tergites.
Vestiture on the whole similar in length and density, but apparently slightly
longer on thorax above and denser also on legs, distinctly much paler, more
whitish on head, only the postvertical spines reddish; hairs on disc of thorax
only feebly sericeous yellowish, not dark; those on pleurae and base of abdomen
and on legs also more whitish.
Head with the antennae slightly shorter, segment 3 being relatively shorter,
but club also longer than segment 3, the club however apparently less broad;
proboscis as long; palps rather long.
Wings tinted brownish as in abdominalis and also mainly as fuscous borders
along veins; apex of first posterior cell markedly broad, more like that of
pretoriensis.
Legs with 2 or 3 spines on hind trochanters; hind femora also with reddish
spines; hind tibiae distinctly more compressed, with stronger, distinctly more
prominent keel below, ending in a relatively much longer apical process,
without any inner lower spines in apical half below, excepting extreme apical ones.
380 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
From the 2 of pretoriensis, which it also resembles very closely, it may be
distinguished by the slightly longer proboscis which is almost as long as buccal
cavity, the broader, more extensive ochreous yellowish on abdomen above, the
more numerous, coarse, but sparse puncturation on sides of tergites and on last
tergite and by the more infuscated wings.
Holotype and paratype in the Transvaal Museum.
Length of body: about 17-5-18-5 mm
Length of wing: about 13°5-14 mm
Distribution: Southern Karoo: Georgida near Willowmore (H. Brauns,
January 1927) (holotype); Willowmore (H. Brauns, December 1909)
(paratype).
Ectyphus bitaeniatus n.sp.
Another species of which the 9 has the abdomen above extensively ochreous,
but unfortunately also represented in the collections by only a single 9 specimen.
Superficially this 2 resembles both those of abdominalis and flavidorsalis and
also to a certain extent pretoriensis. It agrees with and differs from all these in the
following respects:
Body mainly dark; antennae dark reddish brownish; clypeus brownish,
densely covered with greyish tomentum; thorax above, unlike in the case of
the others, and including humeral tubercles, dark or black; pleurae dark
blackish brown; postalar calli dark brownish; extreme hind border of scutellum
and slight infusion on sides of metanotum reddish brownish; abdomen discally
extensively ochreous yellowish on tergites 2-6, this narrowest on disc of 6;
tergite 1 reddish brownish; sides of tergites and last segment dark blackish
brown or piceous; venter yellowish up to end of sternite 4, then darker, more
dark reddish brownish to piceous or black on last one; hind margins of tergites
2-4 (and 5 obscurely) conspicuously ivory whitish as in flavidorsalis and pre-
toriensis, but only fewer of these so; hind margins of sternites 1-5 also whitish;
legs dark reddish brownish (hind ones missing in specimen), the knees yellowish.
Integument as in abdominalis, that of abdomen smooth and shining, with even
fewer punctures on sides; last tergite slightly more transversely wrinkled than
in the other species; integument of thorax above dull as in all the others, also
covered with greyish whitish and black tomentum, but whereas the others have
3 streaks of black discally separating the greyish, this species has only a single,
conspicuously velvety, blackish streak on each side discally (there being only
2 black streaks on disc).
Vestiture shorter and less dense than in the other three species, that on disc
of thorax very sparse and shorter, all the hairs pale or whitish as in fretoriensis
and flavidorsalis ; hairs on legs shorter and sparser, whitish.
Head with the antennae relatively much shorter, segment 3 being pro-
portionally much shorter and very much shorter than club; proboscis rudi-
mentary, vestigial, even more reduced than in pretoriensis, more like that of
pinguts; palps slender, nearly as long as proboscis.
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 381
Wings relatively shortish, even more darkly infuscated brownish than in
the other three species.
Legs with 2 spines on hind trochanters.
The 2 holotype in the Transvaal Museum.
Length of body: about 14:5 mm
Length of wing: about 10-5 mm
Distribution: East Cape: Resolution in the Albany district (A. Walton,
December 1921).
Ectyphus armipes Bezz.
Ectyphus armipes Bezzi, 19245: 196.
An easily recognizable Natal species which differs from the other known
species and varieties in the following respects:
Head with the proboscis (text-fig. 25, right), though confined to buccal
cavity, distinctly larger, not rudimentary, with well-developed, large, long,
fleshy labella, extending backwards under basal part of proboscis, occupying
almost entire length of buccal space, covered with rather conspicuous, longish,
hair-like spinules; clypeus very much narrower, its sides farther away from eye-
margins, not so obviously dilated lobe-like near apical part as in pinguis and
pretoriensis; antennal club (cf. text-fig. 25, top), which is also longer than seg-
ment 3, distinctly more spindle-shaped, more gradually narrowed basally and
also narrowed apically.
Thorax with slightly coarser sculpture, especially along two submedial,
slightly rugulose streaks; scutellum entirely black, rugulosely sculptured, at
least across base.
Wings more darkly infuscated brownish to very dark or blackish brownish,
more like those of pinguis var. litoralis; halteres more darkened above or even
black.
Abdomen not very shining, appearing dull, due to minute, areolar or
leathery microsculpture; tergite 1 discally with coarser or deeper longitudinal
grooves, especially in 3, than in any of the other species; hind margins of
tergites 2-5 in g narrowly yellowish whitish, though darker discally, much
narrower on sides than in pznguis and its varieties, those of tergites 1-6 in 9 more
broadly yellowish than in 3, more like those of 9 of pinguis var. litoralis, and entire
tergite 7 in 9 yellowish brownish or reddish.
Legs either mainly yellowish (9) or the femora brownish or reddish to even
black to a variable extent in 3; hind trochanters with only 1 spine; hind femora
rather more incrassate, even in 9, than in the other species; hind tibiae com-
pressed, sharply keeled below, ending apically in a prominent and long process
in both sexes, which is distinctly longer than tibia is broad just above it.
Hypopygium of 3 with the posterior angles of lateral lobes of tergite 9
acutangular; appendage below process on each side of the concealed sternite 9
very characteristic, broadened, flattened, projecting triangularly flap-like
posteriorly on each side above and beyond sternite 8, and differing from the
382 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
appendages of all the other known 3; both sternite 8 and the appendages with
distinctly longer and denser, whitish hairs than in the other species.
This species appears to be variable in the colour of the body, legs and the
infuscation in the wings.
Among the material before me are some gg taken by Mr. C. Booth at
Durban between January and March 1959 which represent a distinct dark form.
These 3 differ from the more typical form and aberrations of it in being
almost entirely black; in having very dark or black legs, only the underparts
apically of front and middle femora, front and middle tibiae and tarsi being
more yellowish brownish; in having a very dark or black clypeus and dark
antennae; the usually yellowish markings on thorax very dark and only
obscurely reddish; the hind margins of tergites dull and inconspicuously greyish
yellowish, more evident on sides; and in having very much darker, very dark
blackish brownish or black wings.
In the South African Museum (including types), Transvaal Museum and
Natal Museum.
Length of body: about 13-19°5 mm
Length of wing: about 10°5-14 mm
Distribution: Natal: Durban (January—March).
SUMMARY
This contribution is a comprehensive revision of all the known genera and
species of the dipterous family Mydaidae occurring in southern Africa, inclu-
ding South West Africa, Botswana (Bechuanaland), parts of Rhodesia and
Portuguese East Africa.
Altogether 22 genera and 2 subgenera are dealt with and described. Of
these 12 genera and 2 subgenera are new. The genera are grouped into 3
subfamilies and 3 new tribes. The number of species described in detail is 156
of which 108 are new. Ten varieties are also described and among them 8 are
new. Descriptive keys for the separation and identification of the subfamilies,
tribes, genera, subgenera, species and varieties are given. Two maps, indicating
the geographical distribution of the genera and subgenera, are given and 27
figures of various morphological structures of taxonomic importance in the
text and 11 on 2 plates supplement the descriptions. A list of the most important
bibliographical references is given and an index is appended.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
In the execution of this piece of taxonomic research my thanks are due to
the following gentlemen and the institutions they represent for kindly lending
and submitting valuable material and types to me for study, comparison and
description: the late Dr. G. Arnold of the National Museum of Rhodesia, Mr.
C. Jacot Guillarmod of the Albany Museum, Dr. McC. Callan previously of
Rhodes University (now C.S.I.R.O. Canberra, Australia), Dr. H. K. Munro of
the Division of Entomology in Pretoria, Mr. B. Stuckenberg of the Natal
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 383
Museum and the late Dr. G. van Son of the Transvaal Museum.
I am indebted to the following members of the South African Museum
staff for the acquisition of many new forms: Mr. Clive Booth, Mr. F. W. Gess,
former staff member Mr. B. S. Griffin, the late Mr. C. Thorn and Mr. H. Zinn.
A special vote of thanks is due to Dr. C. D. Michener of the Department of
Entomology of the University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, U.S.A., who, while
on a visit to the Republic during 1966-7 to study the biology of the bee-genus
Allodape, very kindly collected some Mydaidae for this Museum and contributed
quite a number of species to its collections, among these a few new ones.
To the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research of South Africa my
thanks are due for the award of grants towards the costs of some of the field-
work and collecting and for the award of a grant towards the cost of publishing
this revision. ;
To Dr. M. Bequaert of Gand in Belgium, who is himself a world authority
on Mydaidae, I as a novice in this field am indebted for the friendly advice,
discussions of taxonomic problems and helpful suggestions in his many letters
addressed to me and above all for the reprints of his various papers he kindly
sent to me.
To Dr. L. Tsacas of the Entomology Department of the National Museum
in Paris I am grateful for comparing some specimens with certain types of
Macquart and for his comments on these types.
REFERENCES
BEcKER, T. 1906. Die Ergebnisse meiner dipterologischen Friihjahrsreise nach Algier und Tunis.
XK. syst. Hymenopt. Dipterol. 6: 276-281.
BEQUAERT, M. 1938. Contribution a la connaissance des Mydaidae de I’Afrique. Bull. Annls
Soc. r. ent. Belg. 78: 331-349.
BEQUAERT, M. 1940. Mydaidae du Congo Belge. Bull. Mus. r. Hist. nat. Belg. 16 (30) : 1-25.
Bequaert, M. 1951. Contribution nouvelle a la connaissance des Mydaidae de 1|’Afrique tropi-
cale. Bull. Inst. r. Sci. nat. Belg. 27 (19) : 1-20.
Bequaert, M. 1959. Diptera (Brachycera). Jn Hanstrém, B., Brinck, P. & Rudebeck, G., eds.
South African animal life. 6: 356-372. Stockholm: Almqvist & Wiksell.
Bequaert, M. 1961a. Contribution a la connaissance morphologique et la classification des
Mydaidae (Diptera). Bull. Inst. r. Sci. nat. Belg. 37 (19): 1-18.
BEQuaAERT, M. 19615. Mydaidae palearctiques nouvelles ou peu connues. Bull. Inst. r. Sci. nat.
Belg. 37 (34): 1-36.
Bequaert, M. 1963. Contribution nouvelle 4 connaissance des Mydaidae de la région éthio-
pienne. Mém. Inst. r. Sci. nat. Belg. (2) 71: 1-68.
BeRTOLONI, G. 1861. Illustrazione dei prodotti naturali del Mozambico. Dissertazione intorno ad
insetti Ditteri. Memorie R. Accad. Sci. Ist. Bologna 12: 41-60.
Bezzi, M. 19242. Deux Syllegomydas inédits d’Egypte (Dipt.). Bull. Soc. ent. Egypte 7: 157-166.
Bezzi, M. 1924). The South African Mydaidae (Diptera) as represented in the South African
Museum. Ann. S.Afr. Mus. 19: 191-232.
Bezz1, M. 1926. Materiali per lo studio della fauna Tunisia raccolti da G. e L. Doria. Ditteri.
Annali Mus. civ. Stor. nat. Giacomo Doria 50: 139-144.
Brunetti, E. 1920. The fauna of British India. Diptera Brachycera. 1: 314-321. London: Taylor &
Francis.
Crausen, C. P. 1962. Entomophagous insects: 345, 350, 371-372. New York: Hafner.
Curran, C. H. 1934. The families and genera of North American Diptera: 163-165. New York:
Ballou Press.
384. ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
GERSTAECKER, A. 1868. Systematische Uebersicht der bis jetzt bekannt gewordenen Mydaiden
(Mydasii Latr.). Stett. ent. 353> 354 BN
Dysmachus Lw. (Asilidae), 350
E
Ectyphus Gerst., 4, 6, 9, 19,
353, 364, 365, 369, 370
edulis L. (Carpobrotus), 258
eremobius (Cephalocerodes), 357, 358, 359;
363, 364
Eremohaplomydas Beq., 5, 7, 10, 13, 45; 46, 47
Eumeninae (Eumenidae), 2
euryptera (Cephalocera), 308, 343, 344, 345
2, 43, 255, 282,
F
fasciata Beq. nec Bezz. (Nomoneura), 221, 226
fasciata Bezz. (Nomoneura), 219, 221,
224, 226, 228, 230, pl. 1
JSasciata Bezz. nec Wied. (Nomoneura), 219, 226
fasciatus (Wied.) (Afroleptomydas), 58, 63,
97, 103, 104, 106, 107, 109, I10, III, 112,
113, 114, 115, 116, 121, 122, 123, 134, 219,
222
Sascipennis Bezz. nec Macq. (Cephalocera), 303,
328, 334
fascipennis Macq. (Cephalocera), 302, 303,
307, 327, 328, 330, 331, 332, 333, 334, 335.
336, 337, 338, 341, 343
flavidorsalis (Afroleptomydas), 82, 130, 157
flavidorsalis (Ectyphus), 282, 368, 378, 380
flavigenualis (Afroleptomydas), 70, 157,
179, 180, 181
flavilineata (Cephalocera), 308, 344
flavirostris (Bezz.) (Afroleptomydas), 158
flavirostris (Bezz.) (Afroleptomydas), 63, 73,
106, 107, 108, 126, 130
flavitibialis (Afroleptomydas), 59, 64, 116,
118, 119, 129
flavomarginata Brun. (Rhopalia), 42, 43
fuscifrons var. of brunneus
neuroides), 241, 246
(Nomo-
G
gariepinus (Nothomydas), 292, 293
gessi (Afroleptomydas), 59, 63, 97, 114, 120,
121
gigantulus (Afroleptomydas), 64, 108, 109,
III
goldingi (Beq.) (Vespiodes), 31
griquaensis (Afroleptomydas), 68, 76, 170,
174, 176
guichardi Beq. (Afromydas), 41
ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
: H
Halterorchis Bezz., 6, 10, 17, 46, 48, 228, 272,
287, 290, 292
Haplomydas Bezz., 4, 5, 10, 12, 42, 45, 46, 47,
290, 292
Heleomydas Séguy, 12, 42
heros Perty (Mydas), 3
hesperus var. of peringueyi Bezz. (Myda-
selpis), 23, 25, 26, 27, pl. 1
Heteroleptomydas Beq., 4, 5, 10, 15, 218, 235
Heteromydainae Beq., 9, 19
hirtipes (Afroleptomydas), 64, 107, 108, 109,
III 2
hirtipes Ric. (Dysmachus), 350
hirtus (Agaperemius), 272, 273
Hoplistomerus Macq. (Asilidae), 130
humeralis (Bezz. nec Gerst.) (Afroleptomydas),
158
humeralis (Gerst.) (Afroleptomydas), 54, 71,
73, 78, 88, 104, 106, 122, 129, 133, 134, 136,
137, 138, 139, 143, 144, 145, 146, 149, 150,
152, 153, 158, 159, 165, 174, 176, 193
I
ignicornis (Brun.) (Mydaselpis), 23, 30
imitata (Cephalocera), 304, 339, 341, 342
inermis Bezz. (Halterorchis), 288, 289, pl. 2
inhacae (Afroleptomydas), 67, 75, 149, 163,
165, 167, 204
inopinus (Afroleptomydas), 77, 142
junceus F. (Belonogaster) (Vespidae), 28, 29
junodi Beq. (Afroleptomydas (Crossoproso-
pus)), 85, 193, 204
kaokoensis (Afroleptomydas (Crossoproso-
pus)), 88, 208
karooanus (Afroleptomydas
pus)), 83, 87, 196, 197, 198
karooensis (Halterorchis), 288, 289
karooensis (Mydaselpis), 23, 26, 29, pl. 1
karooensis var. of pinguis Gerst. (Ectyphus),
368, 374, 375,376
katangensis (Beq.) (Vespiodes), 31
kochi (Lachnocorynus), 48, 50
koupicolus (Afroleptomydas), 70, 76, 149,
157, 180
(Crossoproso-
L
Lachnocorynus, 5, 7, 10, 13, 46, pl. 1
lampronotus (Afroleptomydas), 61, 65, 129,
130
lanipes (Bezz.) (Afroleptomydas), 57, 97, 100,
102, 103, 120, 121, 133
lateritius Gerst. (Belonogaster) (Vespidae),
28, 2
latipennis (Afroleptomydas), 80, 188, 189,
190, 213
leopolditertii (Beq.) (Vespiodes), 31, 36
Lepidoptera, 7
Leptomydas Beq. nec Gerst., 51, 214
Leptomydas Bezz. nec Gerst., 5, 7; 15, 51, 88,
92, 100, 103, 106, 122, 124, 137, 146, 158,
160, 167, 181, 188, 201, 213, 214, 215, 216;
219, 222, 295
THE MYDAIDAE (DIPTERA) OF SOUTHERN AFRICA 387
Lepiomydas Brun. nec Gerst., 5, 7, 15, 190
Leptomydas Gerst., 51
Leptomydas Gerst., 51, 133, 159
Leptomydas Sack nec Gerst., 11, 31, 34
Leptomydas Stuck. nec Gerst., 5, 7, 15, 51, 98
lesnei Séguy (Heleomydas), 42, 43
lightfooti (Arenomydas), 250, 263, 266, 270,
271
litoralis var. of pinguis Gerst. (Ectyphus),
367, 372, 373, 374; 381
longicornis Macq. (Cephalocera)
transcription), 255, 369
longirostris Cuv. nec Wied., 297
longirostris Macq. nec Wied. (Cephalocera), 255,
G05: S707 aes
longirostris (Wied.) (Cephalocera), 7, 108,
297, 299, 300, 308, 310, 312, 313, 314, 315,
316, 317, 328, 329, 330, 331, 347
longiventris Bigot (nom. nud. of Cephalocera), 93
luctuosus (Bezz.) (Oreomydas), 88, 214, 215,
216, 217
lusitanicus Meigen (Leptomydas), 51
luteipes var. of fascipennis Macq. (Cephalo-
cera), 303, 307, 330, 331, 333, 336
luteccinctus (Afroleptomydas), 80, 189
M
macrocera (Cephalocera), 300, 320, 3222
324, 325
maculiventris (Namamydas), 284, 285, 286
marginipunctatus (Afroleptomydas), 72,
78, 143, 149
Masaridae, 44, 196, 368, 375
matetsiensis Beq. (Afroleptomydas (Crosso-
prosopus)), 85, 87, 198, 200, 201, 202, 204
mauricei Beq. (Afroleptomydas (Crosso-
prosopus)), 85, 88, 193, 194, 205, 208, 209,
210
melas (Nomoneuroides), 240, 243, 245
meridionalis (Cephalocera), 303, 328, 334,
335, 336
Mesembryanthemum (Aizoaceae), 98, 101,
110, 119, 126, 139, 141, 157
micheneri (Cephalocera), 298, 301, 313
microareolatus (Afroleptomydas), 82, 153,
155, 157
microreticulatus (Afroleptomydas), 66, 149,
155
Midas Lw. nec F., 295
Midas Wied. nec F., 51, 88, 89, 92, 103, 219,
222, 246, 248, 251, 297, 308
milnertonensis Beq. (Afroleptomydas), 66, 174
mimeticus (Mydaselpis), 22, 28
mimica (Cephalocera), 303, 330, 333
Mydainae Beq., 9, 19, 42, 51, 364
Mydas Brun. nec F., 30
Mydas F., 3, 7, 8
Mydas Wied. nec F., 51, 88, 92
Mydaselpini, 10, 11, 20, 41, 42
Mydaselpis Beq. nec Bezz., 11, 31
Mydaselpis Bezz., 5, 7, 10, 11, 20, 30, 32, 36,
218, 228, 234, 235
(error in
N
Namadytes, 6, 7, 10, 18, 278, 279
Namamydas, 6, 7, 10, 18, 284
mamaquensis (Afroleptomydas), 69, 159,
170, 181
namaquensis (Arenomydas), 250, 261, 263,
264, 265, 266
mnamaquensis (Cephalocera), 306, 350, 352,
354, 355, 356 ;
natalensis (Nomoneuroides), 239, 240, 241,
243, 244, 245, pl. 2
Nemestrinidae, 2
Neolaparopsis, 4, 6, 10, 16, 234, 238, 239,
272, 296
Neolaparus Will. (Asilidae), 234
niger (nigra) (Bezz.) nec (Macq.) (Arenomydas),
250, 263
niger (nigra) (Macq.) (Arenomydas), 219,
249, 255, 263, 369, 370
nigerrima (Cephalocera), 300, 302, 318, 320,
321, 329
nigra Lichtw. nec Macq. (Nomoneura), 231,
232
nigrojubata (Cephalocera), 301, 312, 313,
314, 315
nitens Beq. (Afroleptomydas), 65, 125, 126
nitidus (Bezz.) (Afroleptomydas), 61, 65, 124,
125, 126, 127, 128, 130
nitidusculus (Afroleptomydas), 59, 128, 134
nivosus (Bezz.) nec (Gerst.) (Afroleptomydas),
58, 78, 103, 137
nivosus (Engel) nec (Gerst.) (Afroleptomydas),
122
nivosus (Gerst.) (Afroleptomydas), 73, 133
Nomoneura Beq. nec Bezz., 192, 200, 219, 226
Nomoneura Bezz. s. str., 4, 6, 10, 16, 193, 216,
218, 219, 222, 226, 234, 235, 236, 238, 239,
246, 247, 251, 258, 273, 295, 296
Nomoneura Bezz. (not s. str.), 16, 103, 200, 219,
226, 228, 246, 258, 261, 263
Nomoneura Séguy nec Bezz., 246
Nomoneuroides, 4, 6, 10, 16, 238, 239, 247,
272, 295
Nothomydas, 6, 7, 10, 13, 290, 292
Notobates subgen. of Syllegomydas, 6, 7, 10,
13, 274, 275, 278, 279, 295
Notosyllegomydas, 6, 7, 10, 18, 275, 278,
279, 283
nyasae (Vespiodes), 33, 38
oO
occidentalis (Afroleptomydas), 58, 112
oldroydi (Beq.) (Cephalocerodes), 357, 358,
359» 361
omeri (Stuck.) (Afroleptomydas), 3, 56, 62,
97, 98, 118
opacicinctus (Afroleptomydas), 66, 75, 157;
171, 173, 175, 176
opacus (Bezz.) (Afroleptomydas), 69, 79, 167,
170, 176, 183, 184, 186
Opomydas Curran, 365
orangiae (Afroleptomydas (Crossoprosopus) ) ,
84, 170, 209
Oreomydas, 5, 10, 15, 88, 193, 214
Orthomydainae Beq., 9, 364.
Orthomydainae Oligoneurinae Beq., 9, 364.
Orthomydainae Polyneurinae Beq., 9
388 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM
P
paganus (Bezz.) nec (Gerst.) (Afroleptomydas),
65, 69, 75, 84, 122, 181, 201
paganus (Gerst.) (Afroleptomydas), 53, 68,
122, 159, 160, 162, 163, 165, 167, 168, 169,
170, 171, 172, 174, 176, 181, 183, 187, 194,
200, 204
pallidipes (Afroleptomydas), 79, 187
pallidus Beq. var. of turneri Beq. (Afrolepto-
mydas), 177, 179
paradoxa Bezz. (Nomoneura), 219, 221, 222,
226, 228, 230, 231, 232, 233
partitus (Gerst.) (Arenomydas), 219, 246, 249,
258, pl. 2
patruelis (Afroleptomydas), 60, 65, 122, 159
pattersoni (Beq.) (Vespiodes), 31
peringueyi Bezz. (Mydaselpis), 20, 23, 25, 26
Perissocerus Gerst. (Mydainae), 9, 19
pinguis Gerst. (Ectyphus), 108, 255, 366, 367,
369; 370, 372; 373» 374, 375; 378: 377, 378,
381
pleurostictus (Arenomydas), 250, 270
pretoriensis Bezz. (Ectyphus), 369, 377, 378,
380, 381
propinqua (Cephalocera), 299, 315, 317
prozeskyi (Namadytes), 279, 282
psammophilus (Afroleptomydas), 71, 77,
129, 144
pseudolanipes Beq.
102, 133
Pseudonomoneura Beq., 219
pseudoopacus Beq. (Afroleptomydas), 68, 176
pulverulentus (Afroleptomydas), 68, 165
puncturatus (Neolaparopsis), 236, pl. 2
R
rhodesiensis Beq. (Syllegomydas (Notobates)),
274,275,276
rhodesiensis (Beq.) (Vespiodes), 31, 38, 39
Rhopalia Brun. nec Macq., 12, 42
Rhopalia Macq., 9, 19, 42, 46, 48
riparia (Cephalocera), 305, 308, 339, 347
rubellus (Afroleptomydas), 73, 78, 149, 158
rudebecki Beq. (Afroleptomydas (Crossopro-
sopus)), 85, 193, 214
ruficeps (Vespiodes), 33, 36, 38
rufihirtus (Afroleptomydas), 56, 90, g1, 98,
(Afroleptomydas), 62,
99
rufithorax (Bezz.) nec (Wied.) (Afroleptomydas),
63, 103
rufithorax (Wied.) (Afroleptomydas), 55, 62,
88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 96, 98, 100, 104, 105
rusticanus (Afroleptomydas), 73, 79, 81,
149, 152, 159
rutilus (Afroleptomydas), 59, 118, 129
Ss
saeculus (Afroleptomydas), 74, 77, 138, 139,
I41, 150, 151
Scoliidae, 194, 196, 197
sentipes (Arenomydas), 249, 256, 258
similimus (Afroleptomydas), 61, 127, 128
simulans (Afroleptomydas), 78, 134, 137
simulata (Cephalocera), 307, 336
sobrinus (Afroleptomydas), 72, 78, 129, 136,
143, 144
sodalicus (Afroleptomydas), 74, 81, 139, 142,
149, 151, 152, 153, 157
sorbens (Afroleptomydas), 61, 126
stevensoni (Beq.) (Afroleptomydas (Crosso-
prosopus)), 85, 192, 193, 200, 201, 202, 203,
205, 208, 210, 214
subclausus (Bezz.) (Afroleptomydas (Crosso-
prosopus)), 80, 86, 188, 193, 213
subclausus (Bezz. in part) (Afroleptomydas
(Crossoprosopus)), 188
suffusipennis (Brun.) (Afroleptomydas), 69,
82, 170, 190
suillius F. (Dysmachus), 350
Syllegomydainae Beq., 9, 10, 19, 51, 295, 364
Syllegomydaini, 10, 11, 20, 41, 290, 295
Syllegomydas Beck., 6, 7, 18, 246, 247, 272,
274, 275, 278, 279, 281, 283, 284, 295, 296
Syllegomydas Beq. nec Beck., 18, 274, 275, 279,
283, 284, 295
Syllegomydas Séguy nec Beck., 295
Syrphidae, 29, 31, 32, 34, 39
T
thorni (Afroleptomydas), 72, 149, 151, 156
thorni var. of callosus (Wied.) (Arenomydas),
250, 253, 255, 256
trichogyna (Cephalocera), 306, 348
tripolitanus Beq. var. of algiricus Gerst.
(Syllegomydas), 274, 278
tuliensis (Afroleptomydas (Crossoprosopus) ),
83, 170, 202, 205, 212, 214
turneri Beq. (Afroleptomydas), 70, 76, 177,
179, 180, 181, 182
U
umbrina Beq. nec Gerst. (Cephalocera), 327,
328, 335, 336
umbrina Gerst. (Cephalocera), 303, 304, 308,
327> 335; 337> 339> 349, 341, 343, 347
WW
vallicolus (Afroleptomydas), 74, 81, 142, 149,
151
vansoni (Afroleptomydas (Crossoprosopus)),
87, 170, 211
vansoni (Namadytes), 84, 279, 280, 282, 283
variolosus Bezz. (Mydaselpis), 20, 23, 30
Vespidae, 20, 28 7
Vespiodes, 5, 7, 10, 11, 30, 31, 36, 41, 218
villosus (Afroleptomydas), 58, 97, 109, 112,
114
violacea (Nomoneura), 222, 233
Ww
westermanni (Wied.) (Afroleptomydas), 54,
55, 88, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 100, 122, 133,
134; 215
x
xerophila (Cephalocera), 299, 301, 320, 325
Z
zinni (Afroleptomydas), 57, 119, 129
Ann. S. Afr. Mus., Vol. 54. Plate I
Fic. 1: Side view of apex of abdomen of 2 Mydaselpis peringueyi var. hesperus n.
2: Posterior oblique view of hypopygium of $ Mydaselpis karooensis n.sp.
3: Left antenna of g Nomoneura fasciata Bezz.
Fic. 4: Ventral view of head of 3 Lachnocorynus chobeensis n.gen. et n.sp.
5: Posterior view of hypopygium of 3 Lachnocorynus chobeensis n.gen. et n.sp.
6: Side view of hypopygium of 3 Nomoneura fasciata Bezz.; below it (left) posterior view of
much enlarged phallic tubes and dorsal epimere, and (right) dorsal view of enlarged
apical part of left process of sternite 9.
Fic. 7: Above: Posterior oblique view of hypopygium of 3 Vespiodes conopeus (Sack).
Below: Side view of part of hypopygium of the same ¢ showing left process of sternite 9.
Ann. S. Afr. Mus., Vol. 54
Fic. 1: Above: Ventral view of head of ° Halterorchis inermis Bezz.
Below: Outer view of left hind leg of 2 of the same species.
Vic. 2: Above: Slightly oblique side view of hypopygium of 3 Arenomydas partitus (Gerst.)
Below: Slightly oblique posterior view of much enlarged aedeagal apparatus of ¢ of
the same species.
Fic. 3:
Dorsal view of head and right antenna of 2 Neolaparopsis puncturatus n.gen. et n.sp.
Fic. 4: Left: Dorso-posterior view of hypopygium of 3 Nomoneuroides natalensis n.gen. et n.sp.
Right: Side view of hypopygium of 3 of the same species.
Middle: Posterior view of epimere of the same hypopygium.
INSTRUCTIONS TO AUTHORS
Based on
CONFERENCE OF BIOLOGICAL EDITORS, COMMITTEE ON FORM AND STYLE, 1960.
Style manual for biological journals. Washington: American Institute of Biological Sciences.
MANUSCRIPT
To be typewritten, double spaced, with good margins, arranged in the following order:
(1) Heading, consisting of informative but brief title, name(s) of author(s), address(es) of
author(s), number of illustrations (plates, figures, enumerated maps and tables) in the article.
(2) Contents. (3) The main text, divided into principal divisions with major headings; sub-
headings to be used sparingly and enumeration of headings to be avoided. (4) Summary.
(5) Acknowledgements. (6) References, as below. (7) Key to lettering of figures. (8) Explana-
tion to plates.
ILLUSTRATIONS
To be reducible to 4$ in. X 7 in. (7# in. including caption). A metric scale to appear with
all photographs.
REFERENCES
Harvard system (name and year) to be used: author’s name and year of publication given
in text; full references at the end of the article, arranged alphabetically by names, chronologi-
cally within each name, with suffixes a, 5, etc. to the year for more than one paper by the
same author in that year.
For books give title in italics, edition, volume number, place of publication, publisher.
For journal articles give title of article, title of journal in italics (abbreviated according to
the World list of scientific periodicals. 4th ed. London: Butterworths, 1963), series in
parentheses, volume number, part number (only if independently paged) in parentheses,
pagination.
Examples (note capitalization and punctuation)
Bu.toucu, W. S. 1960. Practical invertebrate anatomy. 2nd ed. London: Macmillan.
FiscHER, P.-H. 1948. Données sur la résistance et de le vitalité des mollusques. 7. Conch., Paris
88: 100-140.
Fiscuer, P.-H., Duvat, M. & Rarry, A. 1933. Etudes sur les échanges respiratoires des littorines.
Archs Zool. exp. gén. 74: 627-634.
Koun, A. J. 1960a. Ecological notes on Conus (Mollusca: Gastropoda) in the Trincomalee
region of Ceylon. Ann. Mag. nat. Hist. (13) 2: 309-320.
Koun, A. J. 19606. Spawning behaviour, egg masses and larval development in Conus from
the Indian Ocean. Bull. Bingham oceanogr. Coll. 17 (4): 1-51.
THIELE, J. 1910. Mollusca: B. Polyphacophora, Gastropoda marina, Bivalvia. In Ser atize, L.
Zoologische und anthropologische Ergebnisse einer Forschungsreise im westlichen und zentralen Siid-
Afrika. 4: 269-270. Jena: Fischer. Denkschr. med.-naturw. Ges. Jena 16: 269-270.
ZOOLOGICAL NOMENCLATURE
To be governed by the rulings of the latest International code of zoological nomenclature issued
by the International Trust. for Zoological Nomenclature (particularly articles 22 and 51).
The Harvard system of reference to be used in the synonymy lists, with the full references
incorporated in the list at the end of the article, and not given in contracted form in the
synonymy list.
Example
Scalaria coronata Larmarck, 1816: pl. 451, figs 5 a, b; Liste: 11. Turton, 1932: 80.
3 9088 01206 HN