Rhabdogaster bicolor, Londt, 2006

Londt, Jason G. H., 2006, A review of the Afrotropical genus Rhabdogaster Loew, 1858 with descriptions of new species (Diptera: Asilidae: Stenopogoninae), African Invertebrates 47, pp. 243-313 : 249-250

Rhabdogaster bicolor sp. n.

Figs 9–11

Etymology: From Latin bi -(two) + color (colour). Refers to the two-tone (red-gold and silver) pruinescence found on the head, thorax and abdomen of this attractive species.

Description: Based on unique holotype ơ.

Head: Orange-brown and dark red-brown, silver and red-gold pruinose, black and white setose.Antenna: Scape and pedicel orange-brown, postpedicel and style dark red-brown, setae black. Face brown-orange, extensively silver pruinose except for two oblique spots centrally. Mystax entirely white, occupying lower half of face. Frons and vertex dark red-brown (contrasting with face), entirely red-gold pruinose (including ocellar tubercle), black setose. Occiput entirely pruinose, white setose except for some black setae dorsally. Proboscis brown-orange with red-brown distal third, setae white; palpi brown-orange, setae white.

Thorax: Mainly dark red-brown, silver and red-gold pruinose, black and white setose. Mesonotum extensively red-gold pruinose with silver lateral margins, except for pair of thin anteromedial stripes, tiny parts of postpronotal and postalar lobes, three lateral spots (two postsuture, one weakly pruinose area anterior of transverse suture), setae thin black except for pair of pale white notopleurals. Pleura silver pruinose except for single spot on katepisternum, white setose. Scutellum red-gold pruinose (contrasting with silver anatergites) except for apruinose hind margin, with 4 long black sctl s. Postmetacoxal bridge entirely silver pruinose. Legs: cx red-brown, silver pruinose, white setose; troc orange-brown and dark red-brown; fem orange, 2 and 3 with dark redbrown ventral surfaces (more extensive on leg 3), mostly white setose (fem 3 with row of black setae ventrally); tib similar to fem, predominantly white (some long) setose (a few black setae ventrodistally); tar brown-orange except for leg 3 that are red-brown, partly white and black setose. Wing 4.8 x 1.5 mm, veins brown, membrane transparent, unstained, extensively microtrichose. Discal cell extensively microtrichose except for small area anteroproximally, costal cell entirely lacking microtrichia.

Abdomen: Dark red-brown, entirely silver and red-gold pruinose, black and white setose. Tergites mostly red-gold pruinose except for contrasting silver lateral margins, setae mainly short black except for longer white ones laterally. Sternites entirely orangesilver pruinose, white setose. Terminalia ( Figs 9–11 ): epand in lateral view gradually tapering to fairly acutely-rounded tips, lobes narrowly fused proximally; hypd in lateral view slightly shorter than epand, moderately upturned distally, with small dorsal subapical projection; broad basally in ventral view but tapering rapidly to distal projection that is longer than broad base. External lobe of goncx projecting beyond levels achieved by epand and hypd, tapering to fairly acute tip, well sclerorised internal lobe about as long as external lobe and with slightly hooked apex. Gonostyli in ventral view moderately straight.

Holotype: ơ SOUTH AFRICA: KwaZulu-Natal: ‘ South Africa: Natal / Pietermaritzburg [2934S:3019E] / Townbush Valley / RM Miller + malaise / July 1977 ’.

Distribution, phenology and biology (Tables 1, 2): Recorded only from the South African type locality. Collected in July (midwinter), which might explain the absence of more specimens.

Similar species: R. pulverulentus .

Figures

Figs 6–17. Rhabdogaster species, male terminalia: (6–8) R. atropalpus sp. n., Pakhuis Pass paratype: (6) lateral, (7) dorsal, (8) ventral; (9–11) R. bicolor sp. n., Pietermaritzburg holotype: (9) lateral, (10) dorsal, (11) ventral; (12–14) R. charma sp. n., Uitkyk paratype: (12) lateral, (13) dorsal, (14) ventral; (15–17) R. cornuata sp. n., Table Mt. holotype: (15) lateral, (16) dorsal, (17) ventral. Scale bars = 1 mm.