Astochia neavensis (Ricardo, 1919)

Londt, Jason G. H., 2019, A revision of Afrotropical Astochia Becker, 1913 with descriptions of three new species (Diptera, Asilidae, Asilini), African Invertebrates 60 (2), pp. 215-237 : 221-224

Astochia neavensis (Ricardo, 1919) Figs 10-12 , 25

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

Astochia neavensis : Oldroyd 1980: 336; Londt 1982: 246 (figs 11 (wing), 12 (♀ ovipositor)).

Diagnosis.

Mystax whitish. Katatergal setae whitish. Anatergite with white setae. Scutellum disc with minute yellow-white setae. Mesonotal macrosetae black. Wings: Discal cell microtrichose. Legs: Femora black and yellow-brown. Metathoracic femora lacking ventral macrosetae. ♀ with abdominal segments 1-5 pruinose. ♂ terminalia as in Figs 10-12 .

In the absence of male specimens, the species was described on females alone. Londt (1982) redescribed the species, providing a description and illustration of the ovipositor. Now that a single male is available, which agrees well with the general description of females, it is now possible to provide the following description of the characteristic male terminalia.

Male terminalia ( Figs 10-12 ): Unrotated. Epandrium almost 3 × longer than wide in lateral view ( Fig. 10 ), deeply incised dorsally with left and right sides narrowly joined at base; internal surfaces each with two well defined lobes, the ventral ones being large, subtriangular and extending distally beyond the dorsal elements. Hypandrium subtriangular in both lateral ( Fig. 10 ) and ventral aspects ( Fig. 12 ). Gonocoxite broad in lateral view, subtriangular and characteristically pointed distally. Gonostylus well developed, dorsally directed ( Fig. 10 ). Aedeagus with long terminal filaments ( Fig. 12 ).

Material.

Previously recorded and personally studied material: DRC: 2♀, Lectotype and Paralectotype, 150-200 miles W. of Kambove [c. 10°53'S, 26°36'E], 3500-4000 ft, 25.x.1907, S.A. Neave. Lectotype NHMUK013659065, Paralectotype NHMUK01365906 (BMNH). 4♀ Paralectotypes, same data except 16.x.1907, NHMUK013659067-70 (BMNH).

Newly recorded material: DRC: 1♂ ‘150– 200 miles / W. of Kambove [c. 10°53'S, 26°36'E]. / 3,500-4,500 ft. [c. 1220 m] / 16.10.07', 'Neave Coll. / 1907 –230.’ (BMNH); 1♂ (now lacking terminalia) ‘150– 200 miles / W. of Kambove. / 3,500-4,500 ft. [c. 1200 m] / 25.10.07', 'Neave Coll. / 1907 –230’ (BMNH). Tanzania: 1♀ 'Tanganyika: / Malagarasi [River c. 4°35'S, 30°39'E]. / 100 mls. E. of / Kigoma. 3,730 ft. [c. 1137 m] / 7 –xi–1947.’ 'M. Steele. / B.M. 1947 –446.’ (BMNH).

Distribution, phenology and biology.

Recorded only for the DRC and Tanzania. While there is no certainty regarding the precise type locality, the coordinates of the nearest settlement (Kambove) serve to indicate its presence in the DRC ( Fig. 25 ). Collected in October and November (Table 1 ). No biological information is available.

Figures

Figure 25. Distribution of Astochia species: A. africana, A. armata, A. neavensis.

Figures 10 - 12. Astochia neavensis ♂ terminalia: 10 lateral 11 dorsal 12 ventral. Scale bar: 1 mm.