Ericomyia, Londt, 2015

Londt, Jason G. H., 2015, Taxonomic observations regarding four genera ofAfrotropical robber flies, Choerades Walker, 1851, Laphria Meigen, 1803, Nannolaphria Londt, 1977 and Notiolaphria Londt, 1977, and the description of Ericomyia gen. n. (Diptera, Asilidae, Laphriinae), African Invertebrates 56 (1), pp. 191-191 : 220

Genus Ericomyia gen. n.

Etymology: Named in honour of Dr Eric Martin Fisher whose knowledge, specimens and photographs contributed greatly toward conclusions reached during this review.

Type species: Laphria atomentosa ( Oldroyd, 1960) , by present designation and monotypy.

Diagnosis: Medium-sized (wing length between 5–10 mm) metallic blue-black flies ( Fig. 24 ). Head:Antenna with small but distinct terminal style with obliquely positioned terminal pit enclosing a spine-like sensory element. Scape and pedicel subequal in length. Frons approximately same width as face at level of insertion of antennae, vertex hardly if at all diverging. Anterior tentorial pits small, slit-like, inconspicuous ventrally. Face narrower than width of one eye in anterior view. Facial gibbosity moderately developed. Mystax composed of strong macrosetae largely restricted to ventral facial margin (none are dorsoventrally flattened and scale-like). Thorax: Prosternum fused to proepisternum. Macrosetae moderately well developed, fine setulae tiny.Anepisternum without obvious strong macroseta on supero-posterior angle. Postmetacoxal area membranous. Legs: Prothoracic tibia without an apical spur. Pulvilli well-developed. Wings: R2+3 ending in C, cell r 1 thus open on wing margin. Cell r 5 open, m 3 and cua closed and stalked. Alula present. Abdomen: T2 wider than long; S1 confined beneath T1. Macrosetae moderately well developed, fine setulae generally poorly developed. Male epandrium deeply incised medially resulting in a pair of widely separated lobes. Female terminalia simple, without acanthophorite spines.

Figures

Fig. 24. Ericomyia atomentosa (Oldroyd, 1960) ♂, (Madagascar, 7 km W Ranomafana).