Lispe bengalensis (Robinean-Desvoidy, 1930) (Fig. 56)

Limnophora bengalensis Robineau-Desvoidy, 1930: 518 .

Specimens examined. 1m, Jazan, Water Treatment Works, 7.ix.2014, sweeping on mangrove by coast, H.A. Dawah (CERS) .

Distribution. This species was previously recorded from Saudi Arabia by Abu-Zoherah et al. (1993). It was described from India. In terms of Middle Eastern material, there is a specimen labelled “Middle East, 1941-2, J.W. Macfie” and identified by F.I. van Emden. The scanty data is not surprising, since there was a war going on and the collector may have forgotten in the turmoil where he collected it. Prior to this J.W. Macfie was a medical doctor in Nigeria who collected insects of medical importance, mainly mosquitoes. There is also a specimen from Port Said, 15.vi.23, R. Loveridge and a further three specimens labelled “Qater Al Khor, Purple Island, 25.iv.2014, D. Whitmore.

Taxonomic remarks. This specimen lacks a posterior bristle on the fore tibia. The adults of species in the genus Lispe display morphological variation in populations. It is a fly with a grey abdomen bearing black spots and a silvery grey face.

Biological remarks. The predaceous larvae live in moist sand and mud alongside water.Adults prey upon other insects and arthropods, both adult and immature (Gregor et al. 2002, Deeming 2008). Adults are more likely to be found running on mud.