Trichardis indica, Londt, 2008

Londt, Jason G. H., 2008, A review of Afrotropical Trichardis Hermann, 1906, and the description of the first Oriental representative of the genus (Diptera: Asilidae: Laphriinae), African Invertebrates 49 (2), pp. 171-171 : 208-209

Trichardis indica sp. n.

Figs 55, 56

Etymology: Named after the country of origin, India.

Description (based mainly on holotype, that is in fair condition, but some details taken from paratype; the holotype is missing both mesothoracic legs and parts of the right metathoracic leg, mesonotum and scutellum appear to have been eaten away by dermestid beetles; the paratype is in fair condition although somewhat ‘greasy’):

Head: Dark red-brown, extensively dull silver pruinose except for central face, setae pale yellow and white. Antennae red-brown, pale yellow setose except for a few black setae on pedicel; postpedicel elongate spindle-shaped (L:D=3.7:1), with few pale setulae dorsally. Mystax pale yellowish, fairly well-developed. Ocellar tubercle with 2 strong pale yellowish macrosetae. Occipital setae whitish. Proboscis and palpi dark red-brown.

Thorax: Dark red-brown, largely apruinose with dull silver pruinose parts, fine setae yellowish, more major setae shiny yellowish. Postpronotum largely apruinose except for narrow medial part, mesonotum largely apruinose except for margins, macrosetae shiny pale yellow, setulae yellowish. Scutellum dark red-brown, apruinose except for anterior margin.Anepisternum with slender pale yellow posterior macroseta, extensively pruinose except anteroventrally. Proepimeron anteriorly pruinose, posteriorly apruinose; katepisternum posteriorly pruinose, anteriorly apruinose; anepisternum largely apruinose. Legs: Orange-brown, pulvilli and empodium of similar length. Hind femur uniformly orange-brown, length:height ratio 3.6:1, ventral tubercles poorly developed, major setae pale yellowish. Hind tibia lacking ventrodistal spur. Wing: 4.0× 1.6 mm. Costal vein extends around most of wing margin, weakly along anal cell, absent from alula. Wing membrane extensively microtrichose—discal cell microtrichose, except for tiny proximal part, cell r 5 microtrichose, but weakly so proximally.

Abdomen (entire abdomen macerated):Terga red-brown with orange-brown central parts, apruinose, setae transparent yellowish. T2 orange-brown, apruinose.

ơ genitalia ( Figs 55, 56 ): Epandrium in lateral view slightly shorter than basal part of gonocoxite (i.e. excluding distal projection of gonocoxite and gonostylus). Proctiger small, moderately dorsoventrally compressed. Hypandrium greatly reduced and simple. Gonocoxite in lateral view somewhat extended proximally and tip somewhat clavate, in ventral view without median projections distally and with long mediodistal setae; mediodistal projection moderately developed with pointed distal end. Gonostylus uniquely shaped—fairly broad basal part, in lateral view, with a long slender subapically positioned dorsal projection that projects out to a similar degree to mediodistal lobe of gonocoxite. Aedeagal prongs more or less straight, with small terminal tubules.

Holotype: INDIA: ơ ‘ Region Himalayenne / Kurséong [26°56'N: 80°18'E] (1500 m alt.)’, ‘ Museum Paris / Inde / P. Caïus 1924’ ( MNHN).

Paratype: 1^same data as holotype.

Note: I have seen and recorded below another specimen from India that was not available at the time this description was drafted. While I list it here, it has no type status and indeed needs to be confirmed as belonging to T. indica : 1 ơ ‘Coimbatore [11°02'N: 76°59'E] / S. India 15-iv-37’ ~ ‘ B.M. – C.M. Expdn. / to South India. / April–May 1937 ’ ( BMNH) .

Distribution and biology: The species is known with certainty from the type locality only. Phenology is uncertain, but a specimen that may be conspecific was collected in April. Nothing is known of its biology.

Similar species: This species is of particular interest as it is clearly morphologically most similar to the group of Afrotropical species that has here been called the ‘ cribrata species group’. The group is made up of eight species, including indica and the following African taxa— crassipala , cribrata , eburacta , hesperia , malawi , similis and spicata . These are generally small, darkly sclerotised species with entirely microtrichose wings. They are difficult to key without reference to the male genitalia that serve to easily separate the species. T. indica has distinctive male genitalia.

Figures

Figs 53–56. Trichardis species, male genitalia: (53, 54) lateral and ventral of T. zinidi sp. n., holotype; (55, 56) lateral and ventral of T. indica sp. n., holotype. Scale lines = 1 mm.