Astochia neavensis (Ricardo, 1919)

Londt, Jason G. H., 1982, Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 7. The genus Astochia Becker, 1913 (Asilinae: Asilini), ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 25 (1), pp. 241-251 : 246-247

Astochia neavensis (Ricardo, 1919) Figs 11-12

Neoitamus neavensis Ricardo, 1919: 72 ; Hull, 1962: 557.

Astochia neavensis ; Oldroyd, 1980: 336.

Redescription: based on lectotype ♀, unless otherwise stated.

Head: Antennae (broken off beyond segment 2) black with black bristles and setae (there are some yellow setae ventrally on segment 1). Mystax yellowish. Occipital bristles short, yellow and not proclinate. Proboscis and palpi blackish with yellow-white setae.

Thorax: Mesepimeral and hypopleural setae yellow-white. Mesonotal setae: dorsocentrals- 3 or 4 pairs fine black tiny setae anterior of suture; humerals-Iongish yellow-white setae only; presutulars-2 black; supra-alars- 2 black; postalars-2 black; scutellars-none. Metanotal callosities with yellow setae. Wings: 8,6 x 2,9 mm; venation and microtrichial distribution as in Fig. 11 . Legs: forecoxa with yellow-white setae anteriorly; hindcoxa with a single, yellow bristle laterally. Femora largely dark red-brown but with tips yellow-brown. Tibiae yellow-brown with dark red-brown distal tips. Tarsi dark red-brown but basitarsi mostly yellow-brown. Setation of hindfemur: bristles (only 3) short black; longer setae (only 2- 3 basally) white; minor setae numerous, fine yellow-white.

Abdomen: Segments 1 -5 pruinose, rest shiny black. Ovipositor long and narrow ( Fig. 12 ). Terga covered with short black setae (except for a few yellow ones laterally). Sterna with fewer setae, all yellowish. The ♂ is at present unknown.

Material examined: ZAIRE: 6 ♀, Lectotype and paralectotypes, 150-200 miles W. of Kambove, 3 500-4 500 ft, 25.x.1907, S.A. Neave ( BM) .

Remarks: As Ricardo's specimens must all be considered as syntypes I here designate one of the females in the BM as lectotype (and have labelled it as such). The other specimens are all to be considered as paralectotypes.

Figures

Figs 11-12. Astochia neavensis (Ricardo), female (Lectotype-Zaire). ca. 7,5 mm. 12. Ovipositor.