Apiocera braunsi, Melander

D. K. Yeates, 1994, Revision of African Apiocera (Diptera: Apioceridae), Ann. Natal Mus. 35, pp. 123-131 : 127-128

A. braunsi Melander

Figs 1, 5-7, 10

Apiocera braunsi Melander, 1907: 125 .

Type: Apiocera braunsi , holotype male: ' Capland, Willowmore , 1.1.1905, Dr Brauns / Rhipidosyrma [sic] braunsi Mel ♂ Type 58 ' ( NMSA). Condition good. Although Melander failed to give a type depository in his original description, I assume this specimen is the holotype because it bears label data consistent with the original description. The holotype was found not to be in WSUC (Dr R. Zack, pers. comm.) where Melander was employed in 1907 or in USNM where his collection was eventually deposited (Dr N. Woodley, pers. comm.).

Diagnosis: Scutum and abdominal tergites strongly marked in chocolate brown and white (Fig. 1). Antennal flagellum dark brown-black, scutellum white, wings with costal vein continuing along anal cell; male abdomen with white plume of long white hairs at apex of gonocoxites.

Specimens examined: SOUTH AFRICA: Cape: 39 ♂ 39 ♀, Merweville Distr ., i-ii.1947, H. Zinn ( SAMC) ; 8 ♂ 8 ♀, Merweville, Laingsburg Distr ., i. 1 959, H. Zinn ( SAMC) ; 26 ♂ 26 ♀, Nieuveld Escarpment, Rietvlei , i. 1949, Zinn-Hesse Mus. Exp. ( SAMC) ; 2 ♂ 2 ♀, Beaufort West, Oukloof , i. 1949, Zinn-Hesse Mus. Exp. ( SAMC) ; 1 ♀, Willowmore , 15.xii. 1912, Dr Brauns ( NMSA) ; 2 ♂ 1 ♀, same data except xii. 1 914 ( SAMC, NMSA) ; 2 ♂, same data except 15.xii.19 1 2 ( NMSA) ; 7 ♂ 1 ♀, same data except 20. xii.1921 ( NMSA) ; l ♂ 1 ♀, same data except 1. ii. 1923 ( NMSA) ; 1 ♂, Gouph, Laingsburg , ii. 1938, Div. Mus. Staff ( SAMC) ; l ♂, Rooinek, Laingsburg Distr ., i. 1 949, Zinn-Hesse Mus. Exp. ( SAMC) ; 1 ♀, Matjiesfontein , 19-31.xii. 1928, R. E. Turner ( BMNH) ; 1 ♂, Nelspoort , 4. xii. 1933, J. Ogilvie ( BMNH) ; 1 ♂, Willowmore , 20.xii. l 921, Dr Brauns ( BMNH) ; 2 ♂ 1 ♀, Graaff- Reinet, Urquhart Park Caravan Park , 32° 15 ' S: 24°33 'E, 4- 6.xii.1988, J. G. H. Londt, Riverine veg., sandy ground ( NMSA) ; 1 ♀, 70 km E. Laingsburg, dry Dwyka River area , 33 °0 6'S: 21 °35 'E, 24. xi. l990, Whittington & Londt, 500 m ( NMSA) ; 1 Q, 23 km N. Middelpos, at Kookfontein River , 3 l °44'S: 20° l 4'E, 29.xi. l990, Whittington & Londt, 1170 m ( NMSA) .

Comments: Little needs to be added to Melander’s description. Females have a slightly different colour pattern to males; the scutal pattern is less distinct, and the abdominal tergites have variable grey markings on the anterior regions of tergites 1 -4. The male genitalia are illustrated in Figs 5-7 The female from Willowmore ( NMSA) is labelled ' type’, but was collected in 1912, long after Melander’s 1907 description.

A. braunsi is more common in collections than A. alastor , and has been collected at a larger number of localities. The striking, similar colour patterns of the scutum and abdomen in braunsi and alastor (Figs 1-2), indicates they are sister species.