Trichardis glabra, 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 : 183-184

Trichardis glabra sp. n.

Figs 17, 18

Etymology: From Latin glabra (hairless, bald, smooth). Refers to the extensively apruinose thoracic pleura.

Description (based on holotype in excellent condition):

Head: Dark red-brown, extensively silver pruinose, but weakly on central face and ocellar tubercle, setae black, orange and white. Antennae yellow-brown except distal end of postpedicel and scape which are dark red-brown; scape with two macrosetae ventrally (1 black, 1 orange), fine setulae white and black; pedicel entirely black setose; postpedicel not markedly clavate (L:D=3.1:1), with few black setulae dorsally. Mystax entirely white. Ocellar tubercle with 2 black macrosetae. Proboscis and palpi dark red-brown.

Thorax: Dark red-brown, largely apruinose with silver pruinose parts, fine setae whitish, macrosetae brown-yellow. Postpronotum largely apruinose except for narrow medial part, mesonotum largely apruinose except for margins, macrosetae orange, setulae shiny white. Scutellum dark red-brown, entirely apruinose.Anepisternum with slender orange posterior macroseta. Pleura entirely apruinose except for the following small sections— anterior part of proepimeron, dorsal part of anepisternum, ventral part of metepisternum. Legs: Dark red-brown, pulvilli and empodium of similar length. Hind femur uniformly dark red-brown, length:height ratio 3.7:1, ventral tubercles hardly evident, major setae pale yellowish. Hind tibia lacking ventrodistal spur. Wing: 4.2× 1.5 mm. Costal vein extends around most of wing margin, weakly along anal cell, absent from alula. Membrane not extensively microtrichose—discal cell largely lacking microtrichiae (a few centrally), cell r 5 with microtrichiae limited mainly to distal half.

Abdomen: Terga and hypopygium dark red-brown, apruinose, setae transparent whitish. T2 dark red-brown, apruinose.

ơ genitalia ( Figs 17, 18 ): Epandrium in lateral view slightly longer than basal part of gonocoxite (i.e. excluding distal projection of gonocoxite and gonostylus). Proctiger moderately dorsoventrally compressed. Hypandrium greatly reduced and simple. Gonocoxite in ventral view with large broadly-rounded dorsomedial projection equipped with moderately developed setae; mediodistal projection sinuous at base with long slender slightly curved distal end. Gonostylus fairly broad basally with slender downcurved distal end. Aedeagal prongs more or less straight and with small terminal tubules. Holotype: GAMBIA: ơ ‘ Bansang [13°26'N: 14°39'W], Gambia / 11.v.77 Malaise in scrub / beside river’, ‘ W. F. Snow Collection / pres. W. F. Snow, 1996 / OUM 02-1996’ ( OXUM).

Paratypes (all OXUM): GAMBIA: 1^same data as holotype; 1 ơ ‘Bansang, Gambia / 10.v.77 Malaise in / scrub beside river’, ‘ W. F. Snow Collection / pres. W. F. Snow, 1996 / OUM 02-1996’; 1 ơ same labels but ‘9.v.77’; 1^‘ Bansang, Gambia / 4.iv.75 Scrub along / river bank’, ‘ W. F. Snow Collection / pres. W. F. Snow, 1996 / OUM 02-1996 ’.

Distribution and biology: Known only from the type locality in Gambia, specimens being collected in April and May (Table 1). All specimens were collected in scrub along a river bank. No other biological information is available.

Similar species: T. glabra is most similar to mellina , and they key out together. The male genitalia, especially the form of the gonocoxites are particularly diagnostic in this pair. T. effrena shares some characteristics with these species, but is otherwise distinctive.

Figures

Figs 17–22. Trichardis species, male genitalia: (17, 18) lateral and ventral of T. glabra sp. n., paratype, Bansang; (19, 20) lateral and ventral of T. grisescens Engel, 1924, holotype; (21, 22) lateral and ventral of T. hesperia sp. n., paratype, Kayes. Scale lines = 1 mm.