Bengalia Robineau­Desvoidy, 1830: 425

Kurahashi, Hiromu & Kirk-Spriggs, Ashley H., 2006, The Calliphoridae of Namibia (Diptera: Oestroidea), Zootaxa 1322 (1), pp. 1-131 : 60-64

Genus: Bengalia Robineau­Desvoidy, 1830: 425 .

= Afridigalia Lehrer, 2005 a: 22 (Rognes 2005).

= Ashokiana Lehrer, 2005 a: 78 (Rognes 2005).

= Kenypyga Lehrer, 2005 a: 79 (Rognes 2005).

= Shakaniella Lehrer, 2005 a: 82 (Rognes 2005).

= Tsunamia Lehrer, 2005 a: 84 (Rognes 2005).

= Bezzigalia Lehrer, 2005 a: 109 (Rognes 2005).

= Gangelomyia Lehrer, 2005 a: 111 (Rognes 2005).

= Laoziana Lehrer, 2005 a: 136 (Rognes 2005).

= Temaseka Lehrer, 2005 a: 146 (Rognes 2005).

= Maraviola Lehrer, 2005 a: 154 (Rognes 2005).

TYPE SPECIES: Bengalia labiata Robineau­Desvoidy, 1830: 425 , by designation of Townsend (1916: 6).

NOTES: Bengalia is known to occur in the Afrotropical and Oriental Regions. Adults are often found at rest on plants and enter houses, where they are frequently mistaken for Cordylobia and Auchmeromyia , which they superficially resemble. They are harmless, however, and feed on other insects carried by ants ( Hymenoptera : Formicidae ). Having observed the ants, the fly darts at the ants’ prey, impaling it on the proboscis, and drags the prey from the ants’ grasp (Zumpt 1956: 165).

Bengalia cuthbertsoni Zumpt, 1956: 171 .

Figs. 5 , 53 .

TYPE LOCALITY: Rhodesia [= Zimbabwe] .

DISTRIBUTION: Botswana *, Madagascar (Lehrer 2005a: 33), Namibia, South Africa (Transvaal), Zambia and Zimbabwe.

PREVIOUS RECORD: S.W. Africa (W48), Komba[t] [SE1917Da], 1–6.iv.1972, Southern African Exp., B.M., 1972–I, det. Zumpt 73 [erroneously cited as Madagascar by Lehrer (2005a: 33)].

KNOWN RECORDS: 20 km SE Omaruru, SE2116Ca, 4.ii.1974, M. Irwin; 25 km NW Omaruru, SE2115Bd, 5.ii.1974, M. Irwin (NMSA).

MATERIAL: 1♂, Epukiro River, 3 km N at: 9–11.ii.2001, Kirk­Spriggs (1) & Marais ( MT) ; 1♂, Nova , 5 km N, 16–18.xii.1999, Marais, Mann & Newman, MMN8 ( MT) ; 1♀, Northern vet. fence, 2 km S, 20.xi–16.xii.1988, Paxton & Marais; 1♀, Hungorob Valley , 5–16.iv.1999, van Noort & Compton ( MT) , Bushy Karoo­Namib shrubland, NA99–M09; 1♂, 1♀, same except: NA99–M10; 1♀, Messum Valley , 2–5.iv.1999, van Noort & Compton ( YP) , Bushy Karoo­ Namib shrubland, NA99–Y06; 4♂, Popa Falls restcamp, 13–16.ii.2004, Kirk­Spriggs (1) ( MT) , riverine forest; 3♂, Bum Hill campsite ( Kwando River), 10–13.ii.2004, Kirk­Spriggs (1) ( MT) ; 1♂, Salambala campsite, 8–10.ii.2004, Kirk­Spriggs (1) ( MT) .

NOTES: Biology, life history and immature stages unknown. Namibian material has been collected in pitfall traps, by sweeping, but principally, in Malaise traps. Occurring at low and high eleva­ tions on the Brandberg (700 m, 1180 m). Central and north­eastern Namibia in the ‘arid’ and ‘mesic’ savanna and nama­karoo biomes; probably more widely distributed in the northern parts of the country ( Fig. 53 ). Recorded in February, April, November and December (vide Table 2), being most abundant in February.

Bengalia sp. nr. cuthbertsoni

MATERIAL: 1♀, Mahanene Agricultural Research Station, 5.ix–5.x.1993, Wohlleber ( PT) A2 ; 1♀, Kubunyana camp: Kwando River, 28–30.x.2003, Kirk­Spriggs (2) ( MT) .

TAXONOMIC NOTES: These female specimens appear somewhat different in details from typical specimens of B. cuthbertsoni , and additional male material from the same localities is required for absolute identification.

Bengalia floccosa (van der Wulp, 1884: ccxcii) ( Calliphora ).

= Afridigalia adrianponti Lehrer, 2005 a: 26 (Rognes 2005).

= Afridigalia falsimonia Lehrer, 2005 a: 40 (Rognes 2005).

Figs. 4 , 54 .

TYPE LOCALITY: South Africa .

DISTRIBUTION: Widespread southern Africa: Angola (Lehrer 2006), Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya (Lehrer 2006), Malawi (Lehrer 2005a: 41), Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa (Cape, Natal), Tanzania, Zambia * and Zimbabwe.

KNOWN RECORD: Oshikango [17°23'S, 15°53'E], xii.1972 (NMSA).

MATERIAL: 1♂, Kongola , 26 km W, 30.x–5.xi.1987, Marais ( PT) ; 1♀, Ahaberge , 17–18.i.1984, Irish (1), H57998 ; 1♀, Koreangab Dam , 12.ii.1971, [SMStaff], H1779 ; 1♀, Halali , 18–20.i.1987, Marais & Irish (1) ; 1♀, Dakota 424(1), 13–23.xii.1993, Pusch ( MT) ; 1♀, Helio (1), 14.ii–23.iii.1987, Griffin (1) ( PT) ; 14♂, 7♀, Nama , 20–22.xii.1998, Kirk­Spriggs (1), Marais & Mann ( MT) ; 1♂, Xawasha pan, 26–27.xii.1998, Kirk­Spriggs (1) & Marais ( MT) ; 1♂, same except: 27.xii.1998, Kirk­Spriggs(1); 1♂, 4♀, Xawasha pan, 2 km W, 26–27.xii.1998, Kirk­Spriggs (1) & Marais ( MT) ; 1♂, Okongo , 29 km E, 14–15.x.1999, Kirk­ Spriggs (1), Pape & Hauwanga ( MT) dry woodland; 1♂, 1♀, Nhoma River, 1 km E of, 28.xii.1998, Marais, Kirk­Spriggs (1) & Mann ( MT) ; 2♂, 1♀, Matende River, 20–21.i.1998, Marais & Kirk­Spriggs (1) ( MT) primary woodland; 2♀, Kremetartkop , 22–23.xii.1998, Kirk­ Spriggs (1), Marais & Mann ( MT) ; 8♀, Katara : Okavango River, 20–23.i.1998, Kirk­Spriggs (1) & Marais ( MT) ; 10♀, Divuju : Okavango River, 1.i.1999, Kirk­Spriggs (1), Marais & Mann ( MT) & (S) ; 6♂, Aha Hills at(1): 21–25.xii.1998, Kirk­Spriggs (1), Marais & Mann ( MT) ; 2♀, Hamoye Nat. Forest , 5–8.iii.1999, Marais ( MT) ; 1♂, Renostervlei , 2 km E, 26–27.xii.1999, Marais, Mann & Newman, MMN27 ( MT) ; 1♂, 1♀, Salambala campsite, 23.xii.2002, Kirk­ Spriggs (2) ( MT) ; 1♀, Salambala pan, 23–27.xii.2002, Kirk­Spriggs (2) ( MT) ; 25♂, 5♀, Salambala forest , 23–29.xii.2002, Kirk­Spriggs (2) ( MT) ; 1♀, Somerkoms 521, 6–8.ii.2001, Kirk­ Spriggs (1), Marais & Wheeler ( MT) ; 1♀, Mannheim Research Station , 31.i–7.ii.2000, Kirk­ Spriggs (1) ( MT) mango plantation; 3♂, 2♀, Bum Hill campsite ( Kwando River), 10–13.ii.2004, Kirk­Spriggs (1) ( MT) ; 1♂, Toggenburg 591 campsite, 18–20.ii.2004, Kirk­ Spriggs (1) ( MT) ; 3♂, 1♀, Salambala campsite, 8–10.ii.2004, Kirk­Spriggs (1) ( MT) ; 1♀, Viljoenskroon 507, 7–13.i.1999, Olivier (1) ( MT) .

NOTES: Biology, life history and immature stages unknown. Namibian material has been collected in pitfall, yellow pan and Malaise traps. The species also comes to UV­light. Apparently restricted to the ‘arid’ and ‘mesic’ savanna biome ( Fig. 54 ). Most abundant in the warmer months of December, January and February (vide Table 2).

Bengalia gaillardi Surcouf and Guyon, 1912: 427 .

= Afridigalia lubana Lehrer, 2005 a: 50 (Rognes 2005).

= Afridigalia sanaga Lehrer, 2005 a: 67 (Rognes 2005).

Figs. 3 , 55 .

TYPE LOCALITIES: Chad / Niger .

DISTRIBUTION: Widespread Afrotropical Region: Angola, Benin, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Malawi (Lehrer 2006), Mali, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa (Cape, Natal), Tanzania, Togo and Uganda.

KNOWN RECORDS: Okakuejo [=Okaukuejo] [19°18'S, 15°93'E], 13.iii.1971; 25 km NW Omaruru, SE2115Bd, 5.ii.1974, M. Irwin; Warmbad [=Warmquelle nr. Sesfontein] [19°17'S, 13°82'E], ii.1925 (NMSA).

MATERIAL: 1♀, Kaross, 9.ii–20.iii.1987, Griffin(1) ( PT); 1♀, Vredekoppies Perdekamp, 15.i.1987, Irish(1) & Marais; 1♀, Halali Toilet Camp, 25.i.1987, Paxton; 1♀, Wesselton 176, 15.i.1991, Krone; 1♀, Halali, 18–20.i.1987, Marais & Irish(1); 1♀, Ameib 50, 1–2.i.1972, [SMStaff], H6358; 1♂, Ruacana area, 14.iii.1997, Koch ( MT); 1♂, 1♀, Hungorob Valley, 5–16.iv.1999, van Noort & Compton ( MT), Bushy Karoo­Namib shrubland, NA99–M10; 1♀, same except: ( YP), NA99–Y94; 1♀, Messum Valley, 5–17.iv.1999, van Noort & Compton ( YP), Bushy Karoo­Namib shrubland, NA99–Y101; 1♀, Mason Shelter, 5–14.iii.2002, Kirk­Spriggs(1) (LT); 1♀, Erichsfelde 44, 19–22.iii.2003, Kirk­Spriggs(1) & Mey (LT); 1♂, Varianto 771/2, 30.iii–1.iv.2003, Kirk­Spriggs(1) ( MT); 1♂, Mile 46, 25–27.iii.2003, Kirk­Spriggs(1) ( MT); 1♂, Dakota 424(1), 13–23.xii.1993, Pusch ( MT); 1♂, Salambala forest, 23–29.xii.2002, Kirk­ Spriggs(2) ( MT); 1♂, Hamoye Nat. Forest, 5–8.iii.1999, Marais ( MT); 4♂, 4♀, Nama, 20–22.xii.1998, Kirk­Spriggs(1), Marais & Mann ( MT); 1♂, Dussi, 10 km W of, 29–30.xii.1998, Kirk­Spriggs(1), Marais & Mann ( MT).

NOTES: Biology, life history and immature stages unknown. Namibian material has been collected in pitfall, yellow pan and Malaise traps. The species also comes to UV­light. Occurring at low and high elevations on the Brandberg (700 m, 1180 m, 1750 m). Central, north and north­eastern Namibia; in the ‘arid’ and ‘mesic’ savanna and nama­karoo biomes ( Fig. 55 ). Most abundant in the months of December, January and March (vide Table 2).

Bengalia peuhi Villeneuve, 1914c: 233 .

= Afridigalia elgonia Lehrer, 2005 a: 34 (Rognes 2005).

= Afridigalia olapana Lehrer, 2005 a: 60 (Rognes 2005).

Figs. 1 , 56 .

TYPE LOCALITIES: Kenya, Nigeria, Rhodesia [= Zimbabwe], Somalia and South Africa .

DISTRIBUTION: Widespread Afrotropical Region: Botswana, Ethiopia, Gambia (Lehrer 2006), Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal (Lehrer 2006), Somalia, South Africa (Natal, Northern Province, Transvaal), Sudan, Tanzania (Lehrer 2006), Togo (Lehrer 2006), Yemen, Zambia * and Zimbabwe.

KNOWN RECORDS: Mariental [24°63'S, 17°97'E], ii.1966; 20 km SE Omaruru, SE2116Ca, 4.ii.1974, M. Irwin; Outjo [20°12'S, 16°15'E], ix.1952; Warmbad [=Warmquelle nr. Sesfontein] [19°17'S, 13°82'E], ii.1925 (NMSA).

MATERIAL: 1♂, Upper Panner Gorge , 31.vii–28.viii.1984 , Irish (1) & Liessner, H61010; 1♀, Okahandja 29.iii.[19]52, Gaerdes, H25115; 1♀, Klein Dobe, 15–17.xi.1985 , Rust (2), H64691; 3♂, Windhoek (1), iv.1985 , [SMStaff], H63826; 1♀, same except: v.1984 , Irish (1), H61116; 1♂, Khorab , 3.xii.1971 , [SMStaff], H5662; 1♀, Brukkaros , SW side, 2.iv–23.vi.1995 , Marais ( PT); 1♂, 5♀, Mason Shelter , 5–14.iii.2002 , Kirk­Spriggs (1) & Marais ( MT) riverbed; 3♀, same except: (LT); 2♂, 1♀, Hungorob Valley , 5–16.iv.1999 , van Noort & Compton ( MT), Bushy Karoo­Namib shrubland, NA99–M09; 2♀, same except: NA99–M10; 1♀, same except: 2–5.iv.1999 ( YP) , NA99 – Y24 ; 1♂, Messum Valley , 2–5.iv.1999 , van Noort & Compton ( MT), Bushy Karoo­Namib shrubland, NA99–M02; 1♀, same except: 5–17.iv.1999 , NA99–M11; 1♂, Wasserfallfläche , below, 18–22.iii.2001 , Kirk­Spriggs (1) & Marais ( MT); 1♂, Falls rock ravine at: 21.vii.2000 , Meakin / Raleigh Int. ( PT); 1♀, same except: 17.iv.2000 ( MT) Bberg Mal 37; 1♂, 1♀, same except: 12.viii.2000 ( MT) Bberg Mal 98; 1♀, Hungorob ravine at(1): 25.iv.2000 , Meakin / Raleigh Int. (LT) Bberg UV 31 ; 1♂, same except: 4.iv.2000 (LT) Bberg UV 21 ; 1♂, same, except: 2.xi.1999 ( MT) Bberg Mal 2; 1♂, Upper Hungorob at: 3.xi.1999 , Meakin / Raleigh Int. ( PT); 1♂, 1♀, same except: 7.iv.2000 ( MT) Bberg Mal 36; 2♀, same except: ( MT) Bberg Mal 35; 1♂, Longipoolis ravine pan at: 4.v.2000 , Meakin / Raleigh Int. ( MT) Bberg Mal 55; 1♀, Regenstein 32(3), 17–24.x. 2000, 2270 m , Woker ( MT) ridge; 2♀, Leeukop 664, 26–30.x.2001 , Kirk­Spriggs (1) & Marais ( MT) riverbed; 1♀, Tsaobismund 85 at: 13–15.iv.2001 , Kirk­Spriggs (1) & Marais ( MT); 1♀, Omatako Ranch 305, 22–24.iii.2003 , Kirk­Spriggs (1) ( MT); 5♂, 1♀, Erichsfelde 44, 20–22.iii.2003 , Kirk­Spriggs (1) ( MT); 1♀, Namib Desert Res , Stn., 21–28.iv.1997 , Kapofi & Irwin ( MT) riparian vegetation; 1♀, same except: 2–9.iv.1997 ; 1♀, same except: 26.v–2.vi.1997.

NOTES: Cuthbertson (1933: 92, as Ochromyia ) found adults to be associated with Plagiolepis Mayr ( Formicidae : Formicinae ) (as Platiolepis [sic]), ants as bandits, raiding Anoplolepis custodiens (Smith) (as Plagiolepis ) ( Formicinae ) workers carrying larvae and pupae along pathways in grassland in Zimbabwe. He goes on to describe this behaviour in detail. Namibian material has been collected in pitfall, yellow pan and Malaise traps. The species also comes to UV­light. Occurring at low and high elevations on the Brandberg (700 m, 1170 m, 1180 m, 1750 m, 1820 m, 1920 m) and on Gross Herzog Friedrich Berg (2270 m). Central, western and southern Namibia; in the ‘arid’ savanna, nama­karoo and desert biomes ( Fig. 56 ). Most abundant in March and April (vide Table 2). The immature stages are unknown.

Bengalia spinifemorata Villeneuve, 1913: 153 .

Figs. 2 , 57 .

TYPE LOCALITY: Zaïre [= Democratic Republic of Congo] .

DISTRIBUTION: Widespread East and southern Africa: Botswana, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia *, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa (Cape, Natal, Transvaal), Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

MATERIAL: 1♂, Okazewana, 31.iii.1996, Marais & Kirk­Spriggs(1) ( MT); 2♂, 3♀, Varianto 771/2, 30.iii–1.iv.2003, Kirk­Spriggs(1) ( MT); 1♀, Aha Hills at(1): 21–25.xii.1998, Kirk­Spriggs(1), Marais & Mann ( MT); 1♂, 1♀, Uigaranm 5 km SE of, 28.ii.2004, Marais & Kirk­Spriggs(1), A in cop. with B; 1♀, Sonderwater 361, 25–26.ii.2004, Kirk­Spriggs(1) & Marais ( MT); 3♂, 1♀, Toggenburg 591 campsite, 18–20.ii.2004, Kirk­Spriggs(1) ( MT); 2♂, 5♀, Upper Hungorob ravine at: 7.iv.2000, Meakin/Raleigh Int. ( MT) Bberg Mal 34; 2♀, same except: 30.viii.2000, Bberg Mal 109; 1♂, same except: 24.xi.1999, Bberg Mal 21; 1♂, same except: 8.viii.2000, Bberg Mal 95; 1♀, same except: 7.iv.2000 ( PT); 1♀, Hungorob ravine at(1): 28.viii.2000, Meakin/Raleigh Int. (LT) Bberg UV 62; 1♀, Longipoolis ravine pan at: 4.v.2000, Meakin/ Raleigh Int. ( MT) Bberg Mal 55; 1♂, Regenstein 32(1), 29.viii–5.ix. 2000, 2270 m, Woker ( MT) ridge.

NOTES: Cuthbertson (1933: 93, as Ochromyia ) found adults to be common around nests of Plagiolepis Mayr ( Formicidae : Formicinae ) ants, where they robbed them of their larvae and the pupae of Camponotus Mayr ( Formicidae : Formicinae ) (as Companotus [sic]) ants, which they were carrying. He describes in detail the habits of the flies when stealing the ants’ prey. Cuthbertson (1939: 144) further observed this species preying on larvae and pupae carried by workers of the small black ant Lepisiota capensis (Mayr) (as Acantholepsis) ( Formicinae ) in a privy at Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. In Namibia the species has been hand­collected, at UV­light and in pitfall and Malaise traps. Occurring at low and high elevations on the Brandberg (700 m, 1170 m, 1820 m) and on Gross Herzog Friedrich Berg (2270 m). North and central Namibia; in the ‘arid’ savanna and nama­karoo biomes ( Fig. 57 ). Most abundant in April (vide Table 2). Pair taken in copula: 28.ii.2004. The immature stages are unknown.

SUBFAMILY: AUCHMEROMYIINAE

Figures

FIGURES 1–6. Male 5th sternites of Bengalia spp., ventral aspect. 1. B. peuhi (Villeneuve). 2. B. spinifemorata Villeneuve. 3. B. gaillardi Surcouf and Guyon. 4. B. floccosa (van der Wulp). 5. B. cuthbertsoni Zumpt. 6. B. aliena Malloch. Scale bars = 0.2 mm.

FIGURES 51–56. Distributions of Namibian Calliphoridae species. 51. Phumosia nanoides Zumpt. 52. P. tillae Zumpt. 53. Bengalia cuthbertsoni Zumpt. 54. B. floccosa (van der Wulp). 55. B. gaillardi Surcouf and Guyon. 56. B. peuhi (Villeneuve).

FIGURES 57–62. Distributions of Namibian Calliphoridae species. 57. Bengalia spinifemorata Villeneuve. 58. Cordylobia anthropophaga (Blanchard and Bérenger­Féraud in Larrey). 59. Auchmeromyia bequaerti (Roubaud). 60. A. choerophaga (Roubaud). 61. Neocordylobia roubaudi Villeneuve. 62. Pachycoeromyia praegrandis (Austen).