Molophilus (Molophilus) opulus Alexander, 1929

Billingham, Zacariah D. & Theischinger, Gunther, 2022, New and Poorly Known Species of Crane Flies (Diptera: Limoniidae) from New South Wales, Australia, Records of the Australian Museum (Rec. Aust. Mus.) 74 (1), pp. 19-40 : 23

Molophilus (Molophilus) opulus Alexander, 1929

Fig. 9

Material examined. New South Wales: 1♀, Gordon, Blackbutt Creek off Blackbutt Creek Walking Track (33.759°S 151.142°E), 25 Sep 2017, Z. Billingham & G. Theischinger, GHD ( T 18458) .

Remarks. This species was previously known only from male specimens, first described by Alexander (1929) then revised and figured by Theischinger (1992), the collection of fresh material now allows for description of the female. In many cases the female forms of Molophilus species remain unassociated, and even when pairs are found in copula the female often lacks significant characters for reliable morphological distinction between species. However, M. (M.) opulus , like M. (M.) bawbawiensis discussed above, has been found to show such unique modification of the ovipositor that it is readily distinguished from other female Molophilus and warrants description.

Figures

Figure 9. Molophilus (Molophilus) opulus, female, ovipositor, lateral.