Senaspis elliotii Austen, 1909

Meyer, Marc De, Goergen, Georg & Jordaens, Kurt, 2020, Taxonomic revision of the Afrotropical hover fly genus Senaspis Macquart (Diptera, Syrphidae), ZooKeys 1003, pp. 83-160 : 83

Senaspis elliotii Austen, 1909 Figs 3 , 20-23 , 54 , 55 , 68-71 , 82 , 93 , 104

Senaspis elliotii Austen, 1909: 90.

Eristalis (Stenaspis) ellioti var. claricella Speiser, 1910: 123.

Differential diagnosis.

Species differentiated from all other Senaspis species by the conspicuous dense white to yellow pile on scutum, contrasting with the black pile on pleura (Fig. 3 ) (other species with dense pale pilosity on the scutum like S. melanthysana and S. umbrifera , have the pale pile continued on pleura (Figs 6 , 9 )). The wing is predominantly dark, except along posterior margin and at the apex where hyaline (Fig. 68 ).

Examined material.

Senaspis elliotii Austen: Lectotype (hereby designated), male, “Syn-//type” " Senaspis // Type // elliotti // Austen, ♂" "Ruwenzori, // Scott Elliot.5. // 7-8,000 ft. // 95-41." “LECTOTYPUS” [NHMUK]. Paralectotype, female, “Syn-//type” "Makumbu, // B.E. Africa. // C.S. Betton. // 1900.35 // 6.II-8.III.99." "PARA- // LECTOTYPUS" [NMHUK]. Paralectotype, female, “Syn-//type” " Senaspis // Type // elliotti // Austen, ♀" "Between Salt Lake//& Wawamba Country // Ruwenzori district, // Uganda // 1894. // G.F. Scott Elliot // 95.41" "PARA- // LECTOTYPUS" [NHMUK].

Eristalis (Stenaspis) ellioti var. claricella Speiser: Holotype, male, "Kilimandj. // Sjöstedt” "13 dec." "Obstgarten- // Steppe" " Eristalis ( Stenaspis ) // Eristalis ellioti Aust. var. Senaspis ellioti claricella // P. Speiser det. // Typ. der Var." "NHRS-BYWS // 000002772" "Loan // 575/99" [NRMS, examined through images].

Other material.

Angola • 1♀; Nova Gaia; 14-21 Dec. 1957; G.H. Heinrich leg.; CNC • 1♀; 30 km N Quiculungo; Sep.-Oct. 1957; CNC. Burundi • 1♂; Bururi; Jun. 1948; F.J. François leg.; KBIN • 1♀; Bururi; May 1960; R.P. Giraudin leg.; MNHN • 1♀; Bututsi, Mugamba; Jul.-Aug. 1948; F.J. François leg.; KBIN • 1♂; Cankuzo, Ruvubu Park; Jun. 2010; F. Ngendakuriyo leg.; OBPE • 1♀; Kibira Tinyabakwe; 4 Nov. 2010; OBPE • 2♂♂; Makamba; 28-29 May 1948; F.J. François leg.; KBIN • 1♂; same collection data as for preceding; 19 May 1949 • 1♀; Mt Bururi; May 1948; F.J. François leg.; KBIN • 1♂; Muhinga, Michinga Hill, Butezana; 11 May 1952; F.J. François leg.; KBIN • 1♂; Mukungu; 26 [?] 2013; L. Ndayikeza leg.; OBPE • 1♀; Murmera-Umushiha; 2011; OBPE • 1♀; Nyakibande, Mumirwa; 27 Jan. 2018; E. Sinzinkayo leg.; OBPE • 1♀; same collection data as for preceding; 24 Apr. 2019. Democratic Republic Of The Congo • 1♀; Bitale, Kalehe, Kivu; 23 May 1950; G. Marlier leg.; KMMA • 1♀; Boswenda; 22 Oct. 1914; J. Bequaert leg.; KMMA • 1♀; Bulira; Nov. 1932; L. Burgeon leg.; CNC • 2♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; KMMA • 1♀; Elisabethville [= Lubumbashi]; 25 Apr. 1927; M. Bequaert leg.; KMMA • 1♂; same collection data as for preceding; [no date]; KBIN • 1♀; same collection data as for preceding; 7 Sep. 1927 • 1♀; same collection data as for preceding; 10 Feb. 1928 • 1♀; same collection data as for preceding; 30 Sep. 1929 • 1♀; same collection data as for preceding; Mar. 1930; L. Courtois leg.; KMMA • 1♀; 16 Sep. 1932; same collection data as for preceding; De Loose leg. • 1♂ 2♀♀; from Beni to Lesse; Jul. 1911; Murtula leg.; KMMA • 1♀; Ibanda, Ruwenzori Mts; 199; Ch. Alluaud leg.; MNHN • 1♀; Kabare, Shabunda; R. Mayné leg.; KMMA • 5♂♂ 5♀♀; Kadjudju, Kivu; May-Jun. 1932; G. Babault leg.; MNHN • 7♂♂ 11♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; Aug. 1932 • 1♂ 1♀; same collection data as for preceding; Sep. 1932 • 1♂; Kalembelembe, Baraka; Jul. 1918; R. Mayné leg.; KMMA • 2♀♀; Kalimabenge River, Uvira; 23 Mar. 1949; G. Marlier leg.; KMMA • 1♀; Kansenia; Nov.-Dec. 1929; R.P. de Montpellier leg.; KMMA • 1♀; Kapanga; Oct. 1932; F.G. Overlaet leg.; KMMA • 1♂; same collection data as for preceding; Nov. 1933 • 1♂; Kitembo; 1927; G. Babault leg.; MNHN • 1♀; Lubudi; 1947; R. Claire leg.; KMMA • 1♀; Lubumbashi; 23 Jul. 1970; A.B. Stam leg.; KMMA • 1♂ 1♀; Lulenga, Kivu; Dec. 1927; Ch. Seydel leg.; KMMA • 1♀; Mulungu; 19-26 Nov. 1932; L. Burgeon leg.; KMMA • 1♀; Rutshuru, Parc National Albert, Kivu; 15-25 Sep. 1933; G.F. de Witte leg.; KMMA • 1♀; Ruwenzori Mt.; 26 Apr. 1914; AMNH • 1♀; Stanleyville [= Kisangani]; Mar. 1915,; KMMA; Lang and Chapin leg.; KMMA • 1♀; Tshamugussa, Parc National Albert; 8-15 Aug. 1934; G.F. de Witte leg.; KBIN • 1♀; Tshaya; 1932; G. Babault leg.; MNHN • 1♂ 1♀; Tshibinda; Kivu; Nov. 1927; Ch. Seydel leg.; KMMA • 2♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; Dec. 1927. Ethiopia • 2♀♀; Maraquo; 3 May 1914; O. Kovacs leg.; NHMUK • 1♀; Mulata Mts, Harar; 22-25 Oct. 1920; AMNH. Kenya • 1♀; Gatamayu; 5 Feb. 1942; V.G.L. van Someren leg.; NHMUK • 1♀; Ilala, 14 mi E Mumias; 18-21 Jun. 1911; S.A. Neave leg.; NHMUK • 2♀♀; Jomboni Hills; May 1947; V.G.L. van Someren leg.; NHMUK • 1♂ 2♀♀; Kaimosi; Apr. 1922; NHMUK • 1♀; Kijabe; Feb. 1932; V.G.L. van Someren leg.; NHMUK • 1♂ 1♀; Mawakota; Apr. 1925; V.G.L. van Someren leg.; NHMUK • 1♀; same collection data as for preceding; Jul. 1929 • 1♂; Mombasa; Jun. 1926; V.G.L. van Someren leg.; NHMUK • 1♂; same collection data as for preceding; Apr. 1928 • 1♀; Nairobi; Aug. 1904; Ch. Alluaud leg.; MNHN • 2♂♂; Nairobi; Apr. 1927; V.G.L. van Someren leg.; NHMUK • 1♀; same collection data as for preceding; Nov. 1928 • 1♀; same collection data as for preceding; [no date]; F.J. Jackson leg. • 1♂; Ngong; 26 Oct. 1919; A. Loveridge leg.; NHMUK • 1♀; Ngong; Apr. 1934; V.G.L. van Someren leg.; NHMUK • 1♀; Ngong; Feb. 1941; V.G.L. van Someren leg.; NHMUK • 1♂ 1♀; Nyeri; Dec. 1948; V.G.L. van Someren leg.; NHMUK • 1♂; Taita Hills; Aug. 1947; V.G.L. van Someren leg.; NHMUK • 1♀; Tumutumu; Jan. 1939; V.G.L. van Someren leg.; NHMUK • 1♂; same collection data as for preceding; Apr. 1939 • 2♂♂; Yala River, S edge Kakumega Forest; 21-28 May 1911; S.A. Neave leg.; NHMUK. Malawi • 1♀; Blantyre; 1914; J.B. Davey leg.; NHMUK • 2♂♂ 1♀; Cholo; R.C. Wood leg.; NHMUK • 1♀; Fort Anderson [= Mlanje]; 24 Jul. 1908; R. Newstead leg.; NHMUK • 1♀; Fort Johnston [= Mangochi]; Jan. 1910; H.N. Tate leg.; NHMUK • 1♂; Limbe; 25 Sep. 1916; R.C. Wood leg.; NHMUK • 1♀; Maiwale; 12 m E. of Fort Johnston [= Mangochi]; 20 Sep. 1926; W.A. Lamborn leg.; OXUM [image examined only] • 1♂; Mlanje; 7 Dec. 1912; S.A. Neave leg.; NHMUK • 1♀; same collection data as for preceding; 20 Jan. 1913 • 1♀; same collection data as for preceding; 12 Feb. 1913 • 2♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; 7 May 1913 • 1♀; Zomba; H.S. Stannus leg.; CNC • 4♀♀; Zomba; H.S. Stannus leg.; NHMUK. Mozambique • 1♀; Revoué Valley, env. Andrada; Mar. 1905; G. Vasse leg.; MNHN. Rwanda • 1♂; Kibungu; Oct.-Dec. 1937; R. Verhulst leg.; KMMA • 1♀; Kisenyi; 14 Feb. 1952; A.E. Bertrand leg.; KMMA • 1♀; Rubona; 5 Apr. 1963; G. Pierrard leg.; KMMA • 1♂; Shangugu; 23 Oct.-15 Nov. 1948; F.J. François leg.; KBIN. South Africa • 1♂; Entabeni Forest Station, Zoutpansberg; Jan. 1975; B. Stuckenberg leg.; NMSA • 1♀; Schroutzich, Zoutpansberg District; 29 Mar. 1922; J. Gowdey leg.; NMSA. Tanzania • 1♀; Bunduki; 30 Apr.-2 May 1957; P. Basilewsky and N. Leleup leg.; KMMA • 1♀; Kibonoto; 4 May 1906; Sjöstedt leg.; MNHN • 1♀; Kibonoto; 2 May 1906; Sjöstedt leg.; MNB • 2♀♀; Kilema; Mar. 1912; Alluaud and Jeannel leg.; MNHN • 1♀; Tshihinda; 21-27 Aug. 1931; J. Ogilvie leg.; CNC • 1♀; Ukami; MNHN. Uganda • 1♂; SE Ankole; 4-8 Oct. 1911; S.A. Neave leg.; NHMUK • 2♂♂ 2♀♀; W Ankole; 10-14 Oct. 1911; S.A. Neave leg.; NHMUK • 1♂; Buamba Forest, Semliki Valley; 3-7 Nov. 1911; S.A. Neave leg.; NHMUK • 2♀♀; Budongo Forest, nr Lake Albert; Apr. 1972; E.B. Babyetagara leg.; CNC • 2♂♂; Diamond Trail, Ruwenzori; 6 Dec. 2018; K. Jordaens leg.; KMMA • 1♂ 1♀; Entebbe; 7-9 May 1912; C.C. Gowdey leg.; NHMUK • 1♀; Fort Portal; Jan. 1909; Ch. Alluaud leg.; MNHN • 1♀; Ruhiza, Impenetrable Forest, Kigezi; 1-10 Jun. 1972; E.B. Babyetagara leg.; CNC • 1♀; Jinja; Aug. 1928; V.G.L. van Someren leg.; NHMUK • 1♀; same collection data as for preceding; Sep. 1928 • 1♀; Kayonza Forest, Kigezi District; May 1972; H. Falke leg.; CNC • 2♂♂ 4♀♀; same collection data as for preceding; E.B. Bayetagara leg. • 3♂♂ 4♀♀; Lower Ruwenzori Mountains; 14 Apr. 1973; H. Falke leg.; CNC • 1♀; Masinde; Feb. 1912; R. Fyffe leg.; NHMUK • 1♀; Mpanga Forest; 26 Feb. 1912; J. Fraser leg.; NHMUK • 4♂♂ 5♀♀; Mt Elgon; 4-8 Dec. 1972; H. Falke leg.; CNC • 11♂♂ 17♀♀; Mt Kokanjera, SW of Elgon; 7-9 Aug. 1911; S.A. Neave leg.; NHMUK • 1♀; Namwamba Valley; Dec. 1934-Jan. 1935; F.W. Edwards leg.; NHMUK • 2♀♀; Nkokonjera; 23 Dec. 1910; C.C. Gowdey leg.; NHMUK • 1♂; NW shores Vic. Nyanza; 12-15 Sep. 1911; S.A. Neave leg.; NHMUK • 1♀; Nyabushozi, North Ankole; 21 Jan. 1975; P. Mugabi leg.; CNC • 1♀; North Ruwenzori; 1-2 Nov. 1911; S.A. Neave leg.; NHMUK • 2♂♂ 6♀♀; Ruwenzori Foothills; 3-8 Jan. 1972; H. Falke leg.; CNC • 1♂ 3♀♀; Tero Forest, SE Buddu; 26-30 Sep. 1911; S.A. Neave leg.; NHMUK • 1♂ 1♀; Usuka; 7 Dec. 1910; C.C. Gowdey leg.; NHMUK. Zambia • 1♀; Abercorn; 23 Apr. 1951; F.O. Albrecht leg.; NHMUK. Zimbabwe • 1♂; Bomponi, Vumba; 16 May 1965; D. Cookson leg.; NMSA • 1♂; Cross Kopie, Umtali; 13 Feb. 1964; D. Cookson leg.; NMSA • 1♀; Mt Selinda; 8 Feb. 1954; N.J. Myers leg.; NMSA • 1♀; Salisbury [= Harare]; 1 Jan. 1952; J.M. Brown leg.; NMSA • 1♀; Umtali; 21 Jan. 1952; N.J. Myers leg.; NMSA • 1♂; N. Vumba; 6 Nov. 1965; D. Cookson leg.; NMSA.

Description.

Body length: 11.9-19.0 mm. Wing length: 8.7-13.5 mm.

Male (Fig. 3 ). Head (Figs 20 , 21 ). Eye bare; narrowly dichoptic, eyes separated for width at most equal to one facet, narrow separation for distance shorter than length of ocellar triangle; facets dorsally slightly larger, at most twice as large in diameter as ventral ones. Frons black-brown; largely subshiny with weak greyish pollinosity along dorsal and lateral margins; dispersed short dark pile, dorsally somewhat longer, sometimes pile more pale. Face ground colour black-brown; covered with dense silvery pollinosity except facial tubercle which is bare; in parts with dispersed short pale pile; facial tubercle strongly pronounced. Gena colour and pollinosity as face; with short to long pale pile. Occiput black-brown, covered with dull grey pollinosity; with dispersed pale pile except dorsally where sometimes darker yellow. Antennal segments black-brown to black, arista orange-brown.

Thorax (Figs 54 , 55 ). Scutum and scutellum completely covered by dense pale to orange-yellow pollinosity; furthermore with dense short pile of same colour, pile longer along margins. Scutellum marginated; weakly rounded, 2.5 times wider than long. Pleura ground colour black-brown, covered with dispersed long predominantly dark pile except on meron, dorsomedial anepimeron, ventral part of katepimeron, anterior part of katepisternum and anterior anepisternum.

Legs. Black-brown, sometimes femora more red-brown; with short black pile, along posterior margin of pro- and mesofemora and ventral margin of metafemur with longer pile. Metaleg (Fig. 82 ), femur thickened, with slight ventral swelling in apical fifth, pile more dense where swollen; tibia thickened and curved, pile along ventral margin in apical half to two-thirds longer and more dense.

Wing (Fig. 68 ). Brownish throughout, sometimes with purplish shine when viewed from angle; alula hyaline and posterior margin narrowly and apex broadly paler; sometimes slightly paler maculae in centre of wing cells, paler areas not distinctly demarcated and sometimes absent; if present then usually in at least cells cup, dm, r4+5, and r2+3 (Figs 69-71 ) (in type of Senaspis xanthorrhoea var. claricella wing largely hyaline with slight fumose areas surrounding veins and cross-veins). Calypters dull chalk-white with fringe of silvery white pile; sometimes calypters and fringe more yellow. Cell r1 open (Fig. 69 ) or closed, if closed usually not distinctly petiolate (Fig. 70 ), rarely with very short petiole less than one third of height of stigma (Fig. 71 ). In type of Senaspis xanthorrhoea var. claricella narrowly open. Vein R4+5 sinuate and usually distinctly short appendiculate, rarely without appendix.

Abdomen (Fig. 93 ). Uniformly subshiny black to black-brown, postabdomen weakly brownish pollinose; with short dark pile except tergum 1 and postabdomen where pale pile. Sterna with long black pile. Male genitalia as in Fig. 104 .

Female. As male except for the following character states: Eye dichoptic (Figs 22 , 23 ), facets equal to subequal in size. Frons with brownish pollinose fascia in dorsal part for length equal to ocellar triangle, along dorsal and ventral margin of fascia narrowly greyish pollinose; frons usually with dispersed pale pile throughout, sometimes mixed with darker pile or completely black pile. Wing coloration variable, sometimes more uniformly brownish throughout but with more distinct hyaline maculae in several cells, rarely hyaline margins posteriorly broader. Cell r1 rarely narrowly open.

Distribution.

Angola, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Comments.

The type of the variety Senaspis claricella corresponds with the typical S. elliotii in all aspects except for the wing characteristics as described above. The narrowly open cell r1 was observed in other material. No other specimens with the hyaline maculae were observed in the material examined, although the extension and distinctiveness of hyaline maculae in the wing cells was observed to be variable. We suspect that it concerns a teneral specimen of S. elliotii .

Several authors have spelled the name of this species in variant ways, i.e., as elliottii (e.g., Smith and Vockeroth 1980), Eristalis ellioti (e.g., Speiser 1910) or elliotti (e.g., Curran 1927). In the original description Austen (1909) specifically stated that the species is named after Mr. G.H. Scott Elliot but indicated in the text that the specimens were collected by G.F. Scott Elliot (a Scottish botanist who collected in several African countries). In both cases the name was spelled as Elliot (with single ‘t’) and Austen gave the species name as Senaspis elliotii . This should be considered as the correct original spelling and alternative spellings should be considered as incorrect subsequent spellings according to article 33.4 of the ICZN.

Figures

Figures 3, 4.. Senaspis species, habitus, lateral view 3 S. elliotii Austen (♂) 4 S. flaviceps Macquart (♂).

Figures 20 - 23. Head, frontal and lateral view S. elliotii Austen (20, 21 ♂ 22, 23 ♀).

Figures 52 - 55. Senaspis species, thorax, dorsal view 52 S. dentipes (Macquart) (♂) 53 S. dibapha (Walker) (♂) 54, 55 S. elliotii Austen (♂).

Figures 68 - 73. Senaspis species, right wing 68 S. elliotii Austen (♂) 69 - 71 S. elliotii Austen close-up apical end 72 S. flaviceps Macquart (♂) 73 S. haemorrhoa (Gerstaecker) (♂).

Figures 80 - 85. Senaspis species, hind leg, anterior view 80 S. dentipes (Macquart) (♂) 81 S. dibapha (Walker) (♂) 82 S. elliotii Austen (♂) 83 S. flaviceps Macquart (♂) 84 S. flaviceps Macquart (♀) 85 S. haemorrhoa (Gerstaecker) (♂).

Figures 91 - 96. Senaspis species, abdomen, dorsal view 91 S. dentipes (Macquart) (♂) 92 S. dibapha (Walker) (♂) 93 S. elliotii Austen (♂) 94 S. flaviceps Macquart (♂) 95 S. haemorrhoa (Gerstaecker) (♂) 96 S. melanthysana (Speiser) (♂).

Figures 102 - 113. Senaspis species, male terminalia 102 - 108, 110, 112 dorsal view 109, 111, 113 lateral view 102 S. dentipes (Macquart) 103 S. dibapha (Walker) 104 S. elliotii Austen 105 S. flaviceps Macquart 106 S. haemorrhoa (Gerstaecker) 107 S. nigrita (Bigot) 108, 109 S. melanthysana (Speiser) 110, 111 S. umbrifera (Walker) (holotype) 112, 113 S. nr umbrifera (Walker).

Figures 5, 6. Senaspis species, habitus, lateral view 5 S. haemorrhoa (Gerstaecker) (♂) 6 S. melanthysana (Speiser) (♂).

Figures 9, 10. Senaspis species, habitus, lateral view 9 S. umbrifera (Walker) (♂ holotype) 10 S. nr umbrifera (Walker) (♂).