Trichardis pohli Geller-Grimm, 2002

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 : 197-198

Trichardis pohli Geller-Grimm, 2002

Figs 41, 42

Trichardis pohli: Geller-Grimm 2002: 472–474 , pls 4, 18 (entire ơ), figs 5–7 (ơ terminalia).

Redescription (based on holotype in excellent condition):

Head: Dark red-brown to black, extensively silver pruinose, but weakly so on frons and apex of ocellar tubercle, setae black and white. Antennal scape yellow–brown, pedicel, postpedicel and style dark red-brown, setae black and white (black setae being better developed than white); postpedicel elongate spindle-shaped (L:D=4.5:1), with few black setulae dorsally. Mystax black and white (black setae better developed). Ocellar tubercle with 4 black macrosetae. Proboscis and palpi dark red-brown.

Thorax: Dark red-brown to black with orange parts, silver pruinose except for some apruinose parts, fine setae whitish, macrosetae either black (mesonotum) or white (pleura). Postpronotum largely apruinose except for narrow medial part, mesonotum dark red-brown to blackish except for orange postpronotal and postalar lobes, largely apruinose except for margins, macrosetae black, setulae shiny yellowish. Scutellum dark red-brown with orange posterior margin, anterior half silver pruinose.Anepisternum with slender black posterior macroseta, extensively pruinose except for small area anteroventrally. Katatergite with white macrosetae. Proepimeron anteriorly pruinose, posteriorly apruinose; katepisternum posteriorly pruinose, anteriorly apruinose; anepisternum pruinose except for anterodorsal part. Legs: Generally dark red-brown to black anteriorly, yellowish posteriorly, pulvilli and empodium of similar length. Hind femur dark red-brown anterodorsally, yellowish posteroventrally; length:height ratio 4.2:1; ventral tubercles hardly evident, major setae pale yellowish. Hind tibia lacking ventrodistal spur. Wing: 4.0× 1.6 mm. Costal vein extends along most of wing margin, weakly along anal cell, absent from alula. Membrane not extensively microtrichose—discal cell largely lacking microtrichiae (a few present centrally), cell r 5 with microtrichiae limited mainly to distal half.

Abdomen: Terga and hypopygium dark red-brown, but with orange parts laterally, apruinose except for narrow silver pruinose distolateral margins, setae transparent whitish. T2 dark red-brown with orange parts laterally (anterior and posterior parts), apruinose except for narrow silver pruinose posterior margins laterally.

ơ genitalia: Holotype well illustrated by Geller-Grimm (2002: figs 5–7). Another male from Socotra ( NHMW) is here illustrated ( Figs 41, 42 ) and described: Epandrium in lateral view 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 without median projections distally and with mediodistally arranged macrosetae; mediodistal projection slender with slightly upturned tip. Gonostylus long, laterally compressed, with slender slightly down turned apex.Aedeagal prongs more or less straight and with small terminal tubules.

Holotype (examined): YEMEN: Socotra I.: ơ ‘Soqotra ·Archipel: Soqotra , / Route von Hadibo zum Deksam- Plateau, 800 m / 12°32'N: 53°56'E, 22.2.1999 / leg.: H. Pohl, SOQ35’ ( HLMD).

Other material examined: YEMEN: Socotra I.: 1^1? Hamadara [?], 400 m, 4.iv.1967, Guichard ( BMNH); 1 ơ 1^Socótra I., 1899, Simony ( NHMW) .

Distribution and biology: A species apparently confined to Socotra I. and known with certainty from two localities. Collected in February and April (Table 1). No biological data have been recorded on labels.

Similar species: A fairly distinctive species with some similarities to both abdelkuri and nigrescens .

Figures

Figs 41–46. Trichardis species, male genitalia: (41, 42) lateral and ventral of T. pohli Geller-Grimm, 2002, Sokotra I.; (43, 44) lateral and ventral of T. similis sp. n., paratype, Kasungu National Park; (45, 46) lateral and ventral of T. spicata sp. n., paratype, 30 km S Caia. Scale lines = 1 mm.