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 The ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM are issued in parts at irregular intervals as material becomes available Obtainable from the South African Museum, P.O. Box 61, Cape Town Die ANNALE VAN DIE SUID-AFRIKAANSE MUSEUM word uitgegee in dele op ongereelde tye na beskikbaarheid van stof Verkrygbaar van die Suid-Afrikaanse Museum, Posbus 61, Kaapstad OUT OF PRINT/UIT DRUK 1, 2(1, 3, 5, 7-8), 3(1-2, 5, t—p.i.), 5(2, 5, 7-9), 6(1, t.-p.i.), 7(1; 3); 8, 9(1-2), 10(1-3), IT (1=25047;,, tpl.) 02h, 24 (2), 275903112) ego, 44(4). Price of this part/Prys van hierdie deel R13.50 Trustees of the South African Museum © _ Trustees van die Suid-Afrikaanse Museum 1969 Printed in South Africa by In Suid-Afrika gedruk deur The Rustica Press, Pty., Ltd. DieRustica-pers, Edms., Bpk. Court Road, Wynberg, Cape Courtweg, Wynberg, Kaap ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM VOLUME 54 A ‘ P ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM VOLUME 54 PRINTED FOR THE TRUSTEES OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM 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