Thecophora pilosa ( Kröber, 1916b )

Stuke, Jens-Hermann, 2015, New Conopid records from the Afrotropical Region (Diptera). Part 1: Paramyopa Kröber, Pseudoconops Camras, Stylogaster Macquart, Thecophora Rondani, and Zodion Latreille, Zootaxa 3963 (2), pp. 101-159 : 122-126

Thecophora pilosa ( Kröber, 1916b)

( Figs 40–46 )

Material. ANGOLA: 2♂, 16.–18.iii.1972, Cuanza Sul Province, 7 mls. w Gabela, A30, leg., coll. PJHS; 3♀, 10.– 18.iii.1972, ditto; CAMEROON: 1♂, 11.–13.xi.1987, Mt. Cameroon, 2800m, leg. A. Freidberg, coll. TAUI, identified as Thecophora nigrivena by Camras 2000; 1♂, 7.xi.1987, Rt. N9, 20 km E Sangmelima, leg. A. Freidberg, coll. TAUI, identified as Thecophora flavicornis by Camras 2000; 1♀, 16.viii.2013, Northwest Reg., Menoua, Universit de Dschang [0526.761′N 1004.237′E], leg. A. H. Kirk-Spriggs, coll. BMSA; 1♀, 17.– 19.viii.2013, Northwest Reg., Mezam, Bafut village, 1060 m [0605.026′N 1007.442′E], leg. A. H. Kirk-Spriggs, coll. BMSA; 1♀, 28.xii.2007, NW Province, Big Babanki Mendong Buo [65′26′′N 1018′9′′E], leg. R. Tropek, coll. CULSP; 1♀, 12.v.2006, Province Adamaoua, Ranch de Ngaoundaba, Ngaoundér, 1265 [77′46′′N 1341′44′′E], leg. A. Ssymank, coll. PASS; 1♀, 15.v.2006, province Sud Ouest, Mt. Cameroon, Buea, mountain rain forest, 990 m [47′50′′N 912′47′′E], leg. A. Ssymank, coll. PASS; CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: 6♂ 1♀, 4.xii.2010, 60 km w Banibo, 630 m [350′N 1644′E], leg. J. Halada, coll. CULSP; DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: 1♀, i.– ii.1913, Congo da Lemba, leg. R. Mayne, coll. MRAC, paratype of Thecophora flavicornis ; 1♀, 1.ii.1951, „ Il /fd/ gar, leg. H. de Saeger, coll. MRAC; 1♀, 4.iii.1936, Kamogobe, Sud Masisi, leg. L. Lippens, coll. MRAC; 1♀, 4.x.1947, Mabwe, lac Upemba, 585 m, leg. G. F. de Witte, coll. ISNB; 1♀, 15.x.1952, Massif Ruwenzori , Bomboka près Kyandolire, 1650 m, leg. P. Vanschuytbroeck & J. Kekenbosch, coll. PJHS; 1♀, 22.x.1952, ditto; 1♂, 15.x.1952, Massif Ruwenzori , Bomboka près., Kyandolire, 1650 m, leg. P. Vanschuytbroeck & J. Kekenbosch, coll. MRAC; 1♂, 17.ii.1953, Massif Ruwenzori , Kalonge, Riv. Katauleko, aff. Butahu, 2060 m, leg. P. Vanschuytbroeck & J. Kekenbosch, coll. PJHS; 1♀, 19.vii.1954, Massif Ruwenzori , Monte Degio, 2200 m, leg. P. Vanschuytbroeck, coll. MRAC; 1♀, 10.–15.iv.1953, Massif Ruwenzori , Moyenne Lume, Kiribata (Migeri), 1760 m, leg. P. Vanschuytbroeck & J. Kekenbosch, coll. PJHS; 1♂, 9.viii.1954, Massif Ruwenzori , riv. Kakalari, affl. Bombi, 1725 m, leg. P. Vanschuytbroeck & H. Synave, coll. MRAC; 1♀, 25.–28.vii.1955, Mont Hoyo, grotte Yolohafiri, 1030 m, leg. P. Vanschuytbroeck, coll. MRAC; 1♀, 9.vii.1954, Secteur Nord, Mulingo, 1350 m, Secteur Kikura, Région Baniangala, leg. P. Vanschuytbroeck & H. Synave, coll. MRAC; 1♀, 19.iii.1954, Secteur Tshiaberimu, Busiangwa, aff. Musabaki, 2.380 m, leg. P. Vanschuytbroeck & H. Synave, coll. PJHS; 1♀, 24.iii.1954, Secteur Tshiaberimu, Hintumo (lieu-dit), 2.450 m, leg. P. Vanschuytbroeck & H. Synave, coll. MRAC; 1♂ 1♀, 18.iii.1954, Secteur Tshiaberimu, Kirungu (lieu-dit), 2720 m, leg. P. Vanschuytbroeck & H. Synave, coll. MRAC; 1♂, 15.–27.iv.1955, Secteur Tshiaberimu, riv. Kalivina, affl. Talia Nord, 2350 m, leg. P. Vanschuytbroeck & R. Fonteyn, coll. MRAC; 3♀, 29.iii.1954, Secteur Tshiaberimu, riv. Kalivina, affl. Talia Nord, 2350 m, leg. P. Vanschuytbroeck & H. Synave, coll. PJHS; 1♀, 28.iii.1954, Secteur Tshiaberimu, riv. Talia Nord, 2340 m, leg. P. Vanschuytbroeck & H. Synave, coll. PJHS; 1♂, 19.iv.1955, Secteur Tshiaberimu, riv. Talya Nord., affl. Semliki, 2340 m, leg. P. Vanschuytbroeck & R. Fonteyn, coll. PJHS; 1♂, 27.iii.1953, Secteur Tshiaerimum Riv. Kalivina, aff. dr. Talia N, 2720 m, leg. P. Vanschuytbroeck & V. Hendrickx, coll. MRAC; 2♂ 1♀, 25.v.–4.vi.2010, Oriental Province, Lieki village area [041.117′N 2414.362′E], neotype of Thecophora pilosa , leg. A. H. Kirk-Spriggs, coll. BMSA; ETHIOPIA: 1♀, 1912, Harar, leg. G. Kristensen, coll. ZMHB; 1♂ 1♀, 4.xii.2014, Bonga, 1628 m [0711.87′N 03615.13′E], leg. H.-J. Flügel, coll. PHJF; KENYA: 1♂, 20.xi.1989, 10 km ne Kericho, leg. A. Freidberg & F. Kaplan, coll. TAUI, identified as Thecophora ruwenzoria by Camras 2000; 1♂, 17.xi.1986, 25 km ne Kericho, leg. I. Susman, coll. TAUI, identified as Thecophora pilosa by Camras 2000; 1♂, 31.viii.1983, 40 km nw Nairob, leg. A. Freidberg, coll. TAUI, identified as Thecophora nigrivena by Camras 2000; 1♀, 9.v.1991, 8 km ne Kericho, leg. A. Freidberg & F. Kaplan, coll. TAUI, identified as Thecophora pilosa by Camras 2000; 1♂, 19.ix.1992, Cheymen, Rt. B1, 10 km e Kericho, leg. A. Freidberg, coll. TAUI, identified as Thecophora pilosa by Camras 2000; 1♀, 7.ii.2011, Kakamega Forest, 1600 m [014′N 3453′E], leg. A. Freidberg, coll. TAUI; 1♀, 15.– 16.xii.1972, Lake Nakuru, 5767 feet, leg. A. E. Stubbs, coll. PJHS; 1♂, 1.–6.xi.1983, Mt. Elgon Lodge, leg. I. Yarom, coll. TAUI, identified as Thecophora ruwenzoria by Camras 2000; 1♀, 15.v.1991, Ngong Hills, 2000–2300 m, leg. A. Freidberg & F. Kaplan, coll. TAUI, identified as Thecophora pilosa by Camras 2000; 1♀, 7.xi.2007, Ngong Hills, 2150 m [122.6S 3638.9′E], leg. L. Friedman, coll. TAUI; 1♂, 7.xi.2007, Ngong Hills, 2154 m [122.6′S 3638.5′E], leg. A. Freidberg, coll. TAUI; 1♀, 29.i.–12.ii.2006, Rift Valley Province, Saiwa Swamp Nat. Pk., nr Campsite, 1882 m, upland swamp, leg. R. Copeland, coll. NMKE; MALAWI: 2♂, 22.–23.x.1983, Zomba Plateau, Chiradzulu Forest, leg. A. Freidberg, coll. TAUI, identified as Thecophora flavicornis and Thecophora nigrivena by Camras 2000; NAMIBIA: 1♀, 26.–30.i.1972, Swakopmond, leg., coll. BMNH; SOUTH AFRICA: 1♀, 16.iii.1959, Kariega, leg. D. J. Greathead, coll. BMNH; 1♀, 12.x.1994, Cape Province, 10 km s Bredasdorp [3437′S 2003′E], leg. R. Danielsson, coll. MZLU; 1♀, 2.–13.iii.2008, Cape Province, Grahamstown, Three Chimneys Farm [3318.542′S 2629.846′E], leg. A. H. Kirk-Spriggs, coll. AMGS; 1♂, 14.x.1994, Cape Province, Wilderness N. Park, 17 km se George [3359′S 2239′E], leg. R. Danielsson, coll. MZLU; 1♀, 18.xi.1999, Eastern Cape Province, 43 km ne of Willowmore, 650 m [3308′S 2350′E], leg. M. Hauser, coll. PMHA; 1♀, 5.iv.1951, Natal Province, Royal Natal National Park, hostel, leg. Brink & Rudebeck, coll. MZLU; ZAMBIA: 1♂ 1♀, 3.i.2003, 20 km e Solwezi, leg. J. Halada, coll. CULSP.

Discussion. Thecophora pilosa was the first species of the genus described from the Afrotropical Region from one male in the collection Bequaert. The despository of the type is unknown and it has probably been destroyed with the Kröber collection. Even with the additional remarks concerning the identification of Thecophora pilosa published by Kröber (1939) the definition of this species remains doubtful. The only way to clarify the identity of Thecophora pilosa is therefore to designate a neotype, which I do herewith for the female specimen with these labels: (1) Sweeping / bush paths & / village environs; (2) D. R. Congo: Oriental Prov. / Lieki village aerea at: / 0041.117′N, 2414.362′E / 25.v–4.vi.2010 / A.H. Kirk-Spriggs; (3) Boyekoli Ebale / Congo Expedition / 2010; (4) Neotype / Thecophora / pilosa (Kröber, 1916) ♀ / des. Stuke 2014. The specimen is deposited in the MRAC. This specimen fits with the original description of Kröber (1916b) and the additional comments in Kröber (1936) as well as with the diagnosis given in the key above. The locus typicus for Thecophora pilosa is stated in the original description as Stanleyville, Belg. Congo (= Kinsangani). Therefore the capture location of the neotype is only about 200 km away.

Thecophora pilosa is a very variable species in relation to some of the characters used to distinguish Thecophora species by earlier authors: the femora may be completely black (especially in smaller specimens) to almost completely yellow; the hairs on the scutum can be quite long in some specimens; the dusting on the scutum and abdomen is very variable and depends on the preparation of the specimen, the light used to examine the specimen, the viewing angle and/or on the age of the specimen; the base of the wing might appear quite dark as is more typical of Thecophora nigrivena ; and the overall length may vary between 3.2 mm and 6.1 mm. As in other Conopidae , it might turn out that the observed variability indicates the presence of several species, but at present it is not possible to segregate these.

Brunetti´s (1925) original description of Thecophora africana fits completely within the concept of Thecophora pilosa and is different to all other Thecophora species known from the Afrotropical Region to date. A specimen identified by Smith and therefore compared with the material of Thecophora africana in the British Museum also falls within the variation of Thecophora pilosa . Brunetti (1925) did not refer to any other Afrotropical Thecophora in his description. Kröber, who examined the type material of Thecophora africana , included it in his key to the genus ( Kröber 1939) giving as the only character to distinguish Thecophora africana from Thecophora pilosa and Thecophora flavicornis: Hinterleib seitlich kastanienbraun. (Wenn nicht ein Zeichen der Unreife!) (Abdomen laterally chestnut-brown (if not an indication of an immature!).)—a character that is not reliable in distinguishing Thecophora species. Therefore Thecophora africana ( Brunetti, 1925) is here treated as a junior synonym of Thecophora pilosa (syn. nov.).

Kröber (1936) described Thecophora flavicornis from type material which is in the MRAC, where I was able to examine it recently. Kröber (1939) set out characters to distinguish Thecophora flavicornis from Thecophora pilosa , indicating that Thecophora pilosa has a completely black theca, a yellowish brown to black antenna which is shorter than in flavicornis , a black fore coxa, and a longer overall body pile which is obvious on the abdomen and thorax. Based on the material I have to hand, all of these characters are variable and are not sufficient to distinguish the two species. Thecophora flavicornis ( Kröber, 1936) fits completely within the concept of Thecophora pilosa and is therefore treated here as a junior synonym (syn. nov.).

The original description of Thecophora ruwenzoria ( Camras, 1962a) fits in all characters to Thecophora pilosa . The only character which Camras (1962a) mentioned to distinguish Thecophora ruwenzoria from other Thecophora species is the dusting pattern on the scutum, which is variable. The locus typicus of Thecophora ruwenzoria lies within the range of Thecophora pilosa as described above, and therefore Thecophora ruwenzoria ( Camras, 1962a) is herewith also treated as a junior synonym of Thecophora pilosa (syn. nov.).

Figures

FIGURES 40 – 42. Thecophora pilosa (Kröber, 1916). 40. Lateral view of habitus (♀, neotype). 41. Posterior view of theca (♀, Kamogobe). 42. Lateral view of surstylus (♂, Ngong Hills). psu—posterior surstylus.

FIGURES 43 – 46. Thecophora pilosa (Kröber, 1916) (♂, Ngong Hills). 43. Lateral view of hypandrium and phallus. 44. Sperm pump. 45. Frontal view of hypandrium and phallus. 46. Lateral view of tip of hypandrium and phallus. dp—distiphallus; ejaejaculatory apodeme; epp—epiphallus; hya—hypandrial arms; hym—hypandrial membrane; hyr—hypandrial bars; hysanteriorly – directed phallus sheath of hypandrium; ipoe—inner plate of postgonite evagination; pa—phallus apodeme; pdpsclerotised plates on distiphallus; po—postgonite; poe—postgonite evagination; sps—sperm sac.