Mesembrius cyanipennis (Bezzi, 1915)

Jordaens, Kurt, Goergen, Georg, Skevington, Jeffrey H., Kelso, Scott & Meyer, Marc De, 2021, Revision of the Afrotropical species of the hover fly genus Mesembrius Rondani (Diptera, Syrphidae) using morphological and molecular data, ZooKeys 1046, pp. 1-141 : 1

publication ID	https://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1046.57052
publication LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:pub:66E61C4E-FAFE-45DE-9145-DB38199BDEC3
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/B32BAEF0-179C-51C6-9292-EAA6D1C2F139
treatment provided by	ZooKeys by Pensoft
scientific name	Mesembrius cyanipennis (Bezzi, 1915)
status

Treatment

Mesembrius cyanipennis (Bezzi, 1915) Figs 10 View Figures 9, 10 , 32 View Figures 31, 32 , 53 View Figures 52–57 , 71 View Figures 70–74 , 90 View Figures 89–94 , 112 View Figures 107–112 , 113 View Figures 113–118 , 132 View Figures 131–134 , 212 View Figures 205–216

Helophilus cyanipennis Hervé-Bazin, 1914a: 297. Nomen nudum.

Helophilus (Mesembrius) cyanipennis Bezzi, 1915: 97.

Helophilus cyanipennis - Curran (1927): 60 - Brunetti (1926): 166 - Curran (1939): 9 - Smith and Vockeroth (1980): 504.

Differential diagnosis.

Mesembrius cyanipennis males are dichoptic, have a black face, no apical pile brush on the profemur, an unmodified metatibia, have short, but conspicuously dense dark pile on the anterior proximal half of all femora, a dark scutum without vittae and a largely yellow-orange abdomen. Mesembrius cyanipennis is one of the two species with a black face and differs from M. nigriceps in the absence of conspicuous thick black pile on the ventral side of the metafemur. Females have a black face (as in M. morio ), but tergite II has a pair of large orange maculae and the other tergites are to a various extent orange (tergites entirely black in M. morio ). All other species have a white to yellow face with a medial dark vitta.

Examined material.

Helophilus cyanipennis Bezzi: Lectotype (hereby designated), male, “SYNTYPUS” “Syn-//type” " Hel. ( Mes. )// ♂ Type // Helophilus cyanipennis // Bezzi " " Pres. By // Impl. Bureau Ent. //1915-165." " Uganda Prot.,// Entebbe. // 1-11 Sep1911.// S.A. Neave. " " Mesembrius // Mesembrius cyanipennis //n.sp//Type ♂ " " NHMUK 013428968" [NHMUK] . Paralectotype, female, “Syn-//type” "Hel. (Mes.)// ♀ Type// Mesembrius cyanipennis //Bezzi" "Ashanti.//Obuasi.//7.xiii.06// W.M. Graham. //1907-74." " Mesembrius // Mesembrius cyanipennis //Type ♀ n.sp." " NHMUK 013428969" [NHMUK] . Paralectotype, female, “Syn-//type”, "H.(M.) Mesembrius cyanipennis , Bezzi // Bezzi det.//1915.)" "caught on flower" " Obuasi,// Ashanti,// 20.vii.1907,// Dr. W.M. Graham. //1908-245." " NHMUK 013428970" [NHMUK]. Paralectoype, female, “Syn-//type”, "H.(M.) Mesembrius cyanipennis , Bezzi// Bezzi det.//1915.)" "caught on flower" "Obuasi,//Ashanti,// 21.vi.1907,// Dr. W.M. Graham //1908-245." " NHMUK 013428971" [NHMUK] . Paralectotype, female, “Syn-//type”, "H.(M.) Mesembrius cyanipennis , Bezzi // Bezzi det.//1915.)" " Caught on umbelli-//ferus flowers in//swamp." " Obuasi,// Ashanti,// 28.vi.1907,// Dr. W.M. Graham //1908-245." " NHMUK 013428972" [NHMUK] .

Other material

Benin • 1♂ 1♀ ; Ifangni-range ; 6 Jun 2015; G. Goergen leg.; IITA • 1♀; Ifangni-range ; 6 May 2016; G. Goergen leg.; IITA • 1♂ 1♀; Ifangni-range ; 19 Mar 2017; G. Goergen leg.; IITA • 1♂; Lokossa ; Oct 2005; G. Goergen leg.; IITA • 1♀; Niaouli ; 10 Dec 2013; G. Goergen and K. Jordaens leg.; KMMA • 1♂ 3♀♀; Niaouli ; 2 Feb 2014; G. Goergen leg.; IITA • 1♂; Pobé; 13 Jun 2015; G. Goergen leg.; IITA • 1♀; Pobé; 28 Jan 2016; G. Goergen leg.; IITA • 1♀; Pobé; 27 Jan 2016; G. Goergen leg.; KMMA . Cameroon • 1♀ ; Abong M'Bang District ; 1-30 Apr 1936; F.G. Merfield leg.; NHMUK . Democratic Republic of the Congo • 1♀ ; Haut-Uélé, Arebi ; date unknown; J. Bequaert leg.; KMMA • 1♀; Bas-Uélé, Bambesi ; 15 Sep 1933; H.J. Brédo leg.; KMMA • 1♀; Bas-Uélé, Bambili ; date unknown; J. Rodhain leg.; KMMA • 1♀; Lulua, Kapanga ; Nov 1932; G.F. Overlaet leg.; KMMA • 1♀; Katanga; Mar 1933; G.F. Overlaet leg.; KMMA • 1♀; Ituri, Kilo, Kere-Kere ; Mar 1948; Turco leg.; KMMA • 1♀; Tshopo, Stanleyville [= Kisangani]; 1914; J. Bequaert leg.; KMMA • 1♀; Tshopo, Stanleyville [= Kisangani]; 4 Apr 1915; Lang and Chapin leg.; KMMA • 1♀; Tshopo, Stanleyville [= Kisangani]; 7 Apr 1915; Lang and Chapin leg.; KMMA • 1♀; Tshopo, Stanleyville [= Kisangani]; 8 Apr 1915; Lang and Chapin leg.; KMMA • 1♀; Tshopo, Stanleyville [= Kisangani]; 9 Apr 1915; Lang and Chapin leg.; KMMA • 1♂ 1♀; Tshopo, Stanleyville [= Kisangani]; Mar 1915; Lang and Chapin leg.; KMMA • 1♂ 1♀; Elisabethville [= Lubumbashi]; 11 Apr 1921; M. Bequaert leg.; KMMA • 1♀; Lomami, Mutombo ; Mar 1931; P. Quarré leg.; KMMA • 1♀; Haut-Lomami, Sankisia ; 4 Apr 1911; Dr. Bequaert leg.; KMMA • 1♂; Uelé; date unknown; J. Rodhain leg.; KMMA • 1♂; Eala ; Apr 1935; J. Ghesquière leg.; RMNH • 1♀; Eala ; Feb 1936; J. Ghesquière leg.; RMNH • 1♀; Eala ; Nov 1935; G.F. Overlaet leg.; RMNH • 1♀; Eala, Bambesa ; 30 Oct 1933; J. Leroy leg.; RMNH • 1♀; Lulua, Kapanga ; Nov 1932; G.F. Overlaet leg.; RMNH . Ghana • 1♂ ; Wati Waterfalls ; Feb 2003; G. Goergen leg.; IITA . Nigeria • 1♀ ; Ibadan , IITA station; 3 Feb 2000; G. Goergen leg.; IITA • 1♂; Ikotobo ; 10 Nov 1913; J.W.S. ScottMacie leg.; NHMUK . Sierra Leone • 1♂ 1♀ ; Kamakoni ; 22 Apr 1912; J.J. Simpson leg.; NHMUK . South Africa • 1♂ ; KwaZulu-Natal, Manguzi Forest Reserve ; 13-16 Dec 2010; J.G.H. Londt leg.; NMSA . Togo • 1♀ ; Kloto Forest ; Dec 2007; G. Goergen leg.; IITA • 1♀; Kloto Forest ; Nov 2007; G. Goergen leg.; IITA • 1♂; Kloto Forest ; Feb 2016; G. Goergen leg.; IITA • 2♀♀; Kloto Forest ; 21-24 Jun 2015; G. Goergen leg.; KMMA • 1♀; Kloto Forest ; Feb 2016; G. Goergen leg.; KMMA • 1♀; Kloto Forest ; Nov 2016; G. Goergen leg.; KMMA • 2♂♂ 2♀♀; Kloto Forest ; Feb 2017; G. Goergen leg.; KMMA • 1♂; Kloto Forest ; Mar 2017; G. Goergen leg.; KMMA • 1♀; Kuma Adame ; 22-24 Jan 2016; G. Goergen leg.; IITA . Uganda • 2♂♂ 1♀ ; Entebbe ; 9 Aug 1911; C.C. Gowdey leg.; NHMUK • 1♂; Entebbe ; 11 Aug 1911; C.C. Gowdey leg.; NHMUK • 1♀; Entebbe ; 14 Aug 1911; C.C. Gowdey leg.; NHMUK • 1♂ 1♀; Entebbe ; 16 Aug 1911; C.C. Gowdey leg.; NHMUK • 2♂♂; Entebbe ; 17 Aug 1911; C.C. Gowdey leg.; NHMUK • 4♂♂ 2♀♀; Entebbe ; 21 Aug 1911; C.C. Gowdey leg.; NHMUK • 1♀; Entebbe ; 31 Aug 1911; C.C. Gowdey leg.; NHMUK • 1♂; Entebbe ; 17 Jul 1911; C.C. Gowdey leg.; NHMUK • 1♀ • Entebbe ; 28 Jul 1911; C.C. Gowdey leg.; NHMUK • 1♂ 3♀♀; Entebbe ; 12-13 Dec 1912; C.C. Gowdey leg.; NHMUK • 3♀♀; Entebbe ; 3-4 Dec 1912; C.C. Gowdey leg.; NHMUK • 1♂; Entebbe ; 27 May 1912; C.C. Gowdey leg.; NHMUK • 1♀; Entebbe ; 3 Nov 1912; C.C. Gowdey leg.; NHMUK • 3♀♀; Entebbe ; 14 Nov 1912; C.C. Gowdey leg.; NHMUK • 9♀♀; Entebbe ; 18-20 Nov 1912; C.C. Gowdey leg.; NHMUK • 1♀; Entebbe ; 16 Oct 1912; C.C. Gowdey leg.; NHMUK • 1♀; Entebbe ; 3 Sep 1912; C.C. Gowdey leg.; NHMUK • 6♂♂ 9♀♀; Entebbe ; 1-11 Sep 1911; S.A. Neave leg.; NHMUK • 1♂; Entebbe ; 7-9 May 1912; S.A. Neave leg.; NHMUK • 1♀; Entebbe ; 18 May 1912; collector unknown; NHMUK • 1♂ 1♀; Entebbe ; 7 Mar 1973; H. Falke leg.; RMNH • 1♀; Entebbe ; 7 Mar 1973; H. Falke leg.; RMNH • 1♀; Entebbe ; 7 Oct 1971; H. Falke leg.; RMNH • 1♀; Entebbe, Kisubi Forest ; 8-9 Jun 1976; M.K. Paulus leg.; CNC • 1♀; Kenya Coast, Gedi for Malindi; May 1973; H. Falke leg.; CNC • 1♀; W. shores of Vic. Nyanza ; 19-25 Sep 1911; S.A. Neave leg.; NHMUK • 2♀♀; locality and date unknown; C.C. Gowdey leg.; NHMUK. Country unknown • 1♂; Ruwengo ; 14 May 1911; collector unknown; NHMUK .

Re-description male

(Fig. 10 View Figures 9, 10 ). Body length: 11.0-13.2 mm. Wing length: 9.6-10.5 mm.

Head (Fig. 53 View Figures 52–57 ). Eyes bare; dichoptic, distance between eyes approx. 1½ x width of ocellus. Face dark brown to black; white pilose; white pollinose. Vertical triangle black; black pilose, yellow pilose on vertex; yellow pollinose until just before anterior ocellus. Distance between lateral ocellus and eye margin 1/2 width of ocellus. Frontal triangle brown, area near eye margin yellow; white pilose; white pollinose. Frontal prominence shiny black, reddish-brown at apex; black pilose. Occiput black; white pilose with some shorter, thicker, black pile near dorsal eye margin. Antenna, scape and pedicel reddish-brown; postpedicel black; antennal arista reddish-brown.

Thorax. Scutum black; without vitta; pile short, yellow and black. Scutellum, anterior half dark brown, posterior half lighter; yellow pilose with some shorter black pile interspersed.

Legs. Legs predominantly dark brown to black. Pile on posterior side of pro- and mesofemur and on proximal distal 1/4 yellow, pile otherwise black; black pile on ventral side of femora gradually becoming longer towards distal end; ventral side of metatibia with carina.

Wing (Fig. 132 View Figures 131–134 ). Entire wing uniformly, very densely microtrichose; anterior medial part and posterior half of cell bm brownish.

Abdomen (Fig. 90 View Figures 89–94 ). Tergite II with large, yellow fascia, interrupted in anterior 2/3; with T-shaped black marking; yellow pilose, with short thick black pile interspersed, especially in posteromedial section. Tergite III and IV yellow-orange; yellow pilose.

Genitalia (Fig. 212 View Figures 205–216 ). Epandrium: Dorsal lobe of surstylus very long and thin, with pointed apex and with distal end bent upwards; with short, black spines at apex and long yellow pilose on dorsal side. Ventral lobe of surstylus convex.

Re-description female

(Fig. 32 View Figures 31, 32 ). Body length: 12.2-13.1 mm. Wing length: 8.6-11.0 mm.

Head (Fig. 71 View Figures 70–74 ). Eyes bare; dichoptic. Face black; black and white pilose; white pollinose. Frons black; black pilose; lower half white pollinose. Vertex black; black pilose; grey pollinose. Distance between lateral ocellus and eye margin approx. the width of ocellus. Occiput black; yellow and black pilose dorsally, yellow pilose ventrally; grey pollinose. Frontal prominence shiny brown-black; black pilose. Antenna black; arista reddish-brown.

Thorax. Scutum and scutellum black; without vitta; short white and black pilose.

Legs. Dark reddish-brown to black; short black and white pilose.

Wing. Entire wing uniformly, very densely microtrichose; anterior medial part and posterior half of cell bm brownish.

Abdomen (Figs 112 View Figures 107–112 , 113 View Figures 113–118 ). Second tergite with a pair of large orange maculae and without (Fig. 112 View Figures 107–112 ) or with (Fig. 113 View Figures 113–118 ) distinct posterior black marking. Tergite III from largely orange with a vague medial black marking (Fig. 112 View Figures 107–112 ) to black with a pair of large, orange maculae (Fig. 113 View Figures 113–118 ). Tergite IV from entirely orange (Fig. 112 View Figures 107–112 ) to orange with a posterior black fascia (Fig. 113 View Figures 113–118 ). Tergite V orange. All tergites short yellow-white and black pilose.

Distribution.

Benin, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Togo and Uganda.

Comments.

Hervé-Bazin (1914a) was the first to use the name Mesembrius cyanipennis (as Helophilus cyanipennis Bezzi). Since he did not provide a description of the species, but mentions that the species will be described later by Mr. Prof. Bezzi [p. 297: "Cette espèce sera prochainement décrite par M. le Prof Bezzi"], the name should be considered as a nomen nudum. Bezzi (1915) is the first to provide an adequate description for the species.