taxonID	type	description	language	source
03C2A35CFFC22419624CF94EFDB3416B.taxon	discussion	Blasdale (1957) placed P. dubius in what he calls the aleimoides group of species. This species is easily recognised as it is the largest (wing 17 - 19,5 mm) species in the group. The thorax is boldly marked in yellow and both light and dark brown. The abdomen is heavily banded. The left clasper and paramere of one of the males available to me has been illustrated (Fig. 3) for comparison with Blasdale's (1957) illustration. The differences observed may be due to different angles of viewing, individual or geographical variation. The tip of the aedeagus (Fig. 9) is trifurcate, each prong being fairly thick and less than half the length of a clasper. Hull (1967) described P. eompaetus from a male (Tugela River) and female (Skukuza) and stated that P. eompaetus is related to P. tenuipes. As Hull's (1967) illustration of the lateral aspect of the male terminalia does not show any of the features used to separate species of Phi / odieus, Dr Danielsson (Zoological Institute, Lund, Sweden) kindly sent me the holotype for study. This male is a typical P. dubius and therefore I regard P. eompaetus as a synonym. The female paratype has not been examined and probably it will prove to be either P. dubius or P. tenuipes.	en	Londt, J. G. H. (1978): Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 2. * The genus Philodicus Loew, 1848, in southern Africa. ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 23 (2): 419-428, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8367253
03C2A35CFFC22419624CF94EFDB3416B.taxon	materials_examined	Material studied: BOTSWANA: 2 ♂, Mesimaklaba (= Metsimaclaba), V. - L. Kol. Exp., 7 - 12.111.1930 (N. M.). SOUTH AFRICA: Transvaal, 1 ♀, Kruger National Park, Lower Sabie Camp area, open savanna & riverbanks 9. XII. 1972, B & P. Stuckenberg (N. M.). MOZAMBIQUE: 1 ♂, Quendri, B. Lebried (S. A. M.). Type material: SOUTH AFRICA: Natal, 1 ♂, 1 ♀ (syntypes), M'Fongosi, Zululand, W. E. Jones, 111.1911 (S. A. M.) (not studied). Types of P. eompaetus are from SOUTH AFRICA: Natal, I ♂ holotype, Tugela River, 12 mi., N. W. Bergville, 31.111. 1951, loc. no. 255, Brinck & Rudebeck (E. M. L.); Transvaal, I ♀ paratype, Kruger National Park, Skukuza, 29.1 V. 1951 loc. no. 283, Brinck & Rudebeck (E. M. L.).	en	Londt, J. G. H. (1978): Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 2. * The genus Philodicus Loew, 1848, in southern Africa. ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 23 (2): 419-428, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8367253
03C2A35CFFC22419624CF94EFDB3416B.taxon	discussion	As Ricardo (1921) did not designate a holotype and Blasdale (I 957) did not erect a lectotype I hereby select the M'Fongosi male in the S. A. M., determined by Ricardo, as lectotype and the female as paralectotype. Dr V. B. Whitehead informs me that there are an additional 3 ♂ 3 ♀ in the S. A. M. bearing the same data as the syntypes. These specimens were apparently not studied by Ricardo. Prey: The Kruger Park female is pinned together with its prey, which is another species of Philodieus (P. tenuipes). Presumably the large size of P. dubius allows it to feed on smaller AsiJidae.	en	Londt, J. G. H. (1978): Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 2. * The genus Philodicus Loew, 1848, in southern Africa. ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 23 (2): 419-428, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8367253
03C2A35CFFC0241E620DFAE1FB5E42D0.taxon	discussion	Blasdale (1957) stated that he was not confident that this species is distinct from P. cineraseens (Ricardo, \ 900). At the same time he stated that he was able to separate them on the constancy of terminalial characters of both sexes. Minor differences in male claspers are present (compare Figs 4 and 5) but differences in the tip of the aedeagus are pronounced (compare Figs 10 and II). In P. tenuipes the aedeagus appears distinctly swollen and membranous subapically; the tip has a single central prong. P. cineraseens, on the other hand, is not markedly swollen subapically and possesses a trifurcate tip as in the other southern African species of Philodieus. Females can be separated by using the shape of the eighth sternum, as shown by Blasdale. There is no doubt in my mind that these two species are distinct and belong to Blasdale's (1957) alcimoides group.	en	Londt, J. G. H. (1978): Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 2. * The genus Philodicus Loew, 1848, in southern Africa. ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 23 (2): 419-428, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8367253
03C2A35CFFC0241E620DFAE1FB5E42D0.taxon	materials_examined	Material studied: SOUTH AFRICA: Transvaal, I ♂, 2 ♀, Kruger Park, Timbetene Tswini waterholes, savanna woodland near Skukuza, 9. Xll. l 972, B. & P. Stuckenberg (N. M.); I ♂, I ♀, Kruger Park, Lower Sabie Camp area, open savanna and riverbanks, 9. XII. I 972, B. & P. Stuckenberg (N. M.); I ♂, I ♀, Noordkaap River at Barberton-Nelspruit road, Riverbank Bushveld, 7. IX. 1970, Stuckenberg (N. M.). Natal, 2 ♀, Dukuduku between St Lucia & Matubatuba, 7 - 8. IV. 1960, B. & P. Stuckenberg (N. M.); I ♂, St Lucia, sea-level, coastal dunes, 31. X. l 972, M. E. Irwin (N. M.); I ♀, Pietermaritzburg, Town Bush, 31. V. 1957, T. Schofield (N. M.); 1 ♂, 5 ♀, 2 damaged specimens, St Lucia, Coastal dune association, 8 m elevation, 24. x 1. l 971, M. E. & B. J. Irwin (N. M.); 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Cape Vidal, 20 mi. N. of St Lucia, coastal forest, 24. XI. l 971, 0 - 20 m, M. E. & B. J. Irwin (N. M.); 2 ♀ Blythdale Beach (Stanger Beach), 16.111.1963, T. W. Schofield (N. M.); 1 ♂ -, Mtunzini, XII. 1961, W. J. Lawson (D. M.); 1 ♀, Twinstreams, Mtunzini, 15. XIl. 1963, Lawson & Bouguin (D. M.); 1 ♂, M'Fongosi, Zululand, X 1 I. 1914, W. E. Jones (S. A. M.). MOZAMBIQUE: 1 ♀, Chinde, Zambezi River Delta, P. J. Usher (N. M.); 1 6 ♂, 3 ♀, Benguerua I 1 ha, 6. II I. 1971 (C. M.); 3 ♂ -, 1 ~, Banque I 1 ha., 6.111.1971 (C. M.); 1 ~, Magaruque I 1 ha, 5.111.1971 (C. M.); 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Bazaruto Ilha do, 8.111.1971 (C. M.). RHODESIA: 1 ♂, Hillside, 17. XI. 1922, Swinburne & Stevenson (N. M.). SOUTH WEST AFRICA: 1 ♂, 2 ♀, Omaruru Dist., 50 km N. W. Omaruru, 1 200 m, floodplain with large Acacia trees, 5.11.1974, M. E. Irwin (N. M.); 2 ♂, 2 ♀, Otjimbumbe, Kunene River, III. 1923, S. A. M. Exped. (S. A. M.); I ♂ -, Hoarusib Orshu, IlI. 1926, S. A. M. Exped. (S. A. M.); 1 ♀, Cayimaeis, III. 1923, S. A. M. Exped. (S. A. M.). ANGOLA: 2 ♂, 1 ♀, Cuanza River mouth 64 km. S. Luanda, J. 1972, B. Stuckenberg (N. M.). ZAMBIA: 2 ♂, 2 ♀, Chirundu, 18. V. 1965, K. Borthwick (N. M.). 6 - Type material: (not studied): ' CAFFRARIA': 1 ♀, (Rijksmuseum). Material not studied: SOUTH WEST AFRICA: Hoarusib Otshu, 111.1926, S. A. M. Exped. (S. A. M.); Rehoboth, XI-XII. 1935, Bell-Marley (S. A. M.).	en	Londt, J. G. H. (1978): Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 2. * The genus Philodicus Loew, 1848, in southern Africa. ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 23 (2): 419-428, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8367253
03C2A35CFFC0241E620DFAE1FB5E42D0.taxon	distribution	Distribution: Widespread. Blasdale (1957) gave the distribution as Rhodesia, Transvaal, Cape Province and South West Africa. My records extend this to Natal, Zambia, Angola and southern Mozambique. The distribution of P. cineraseens was given by Blasdale (1957) as Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia and northern Mozambique. I have only seen specimens from Malawi (2 ♀, Lauwandi Drift, Shire River, between Zomba & Ft. Johnstone, J. D. Casey (D. M. )) and northern Mozambique (2 6 -, Namalala Stream, 22. XI. J 956 (C. M. & N. M. )), and therefore Blasdale's (1957) distribution records are supported. There is a strong possibility that P. cineraseens will be collected in southern Africa. Prey: Nothing is known concerning the prey of P. tenuipes.	en	Londt, J. G. H. (1978): Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 2. * The genus Philodicus Loew, 1848, in southern Africa. ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 23 (2): 419-428, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8367253
03C2A35CFFC7241F61DBF8ABFBF745B0.taxon	discussion	This large species belongs to Blasdale's (J 957) fraternus group of species and is easily recognised and keyed out in Blasdale's key. The left clasper and paramere of the only male studied (Fig. 6) are clearly similar to the specimen illustrated by Blasdale (1957) but show the internal face of the clasper to project inwards in a manner unlike any other species from southern Africa. The aedeagal tip (Fig. 12) possesses three very long filamentous prongs resembling those of the genus Alcimus as shown by Theodor (1976).	en	Londt, J. G. H. (1978): Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 2. * The genus Philodicus Loew, 1848, in southern Africa. ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 23 (2): 419-428, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8367253
03C2A35CFFC7241F61DBF8ABFBF745B0.taxon	materials_examined	Material studied: SOUTH AFRICA: Transvaal, 1 ♂, Nelspruit, II. 1915, A. Roberts (N. M.). Type material (not studied): RHODESIA: I ♂ holotype, 1 ♀ allotype, near Mt. Chirinda, 31.1.1912, C. F. M. Swynnerton (Oxford University Museum).	en	Londt, J. G. H. (1978): Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 2. * The genus Philodicus Loew, 1848, in southern Africa. ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 23 (2): 419-428, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8367253
03C2A35CFFC7241F61DBF8ABFBF745B0.taxon	distribution	Distribution: Blasdale (1957) gives the distribution of P. swynnertoni as Sierra Leone, Ghana, Nigeria, Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Rhodesia and South Africa (Transvaal). The species therefore has a very wide distribution. Prey: No information is available for this species.	en	Londt, J. G. H. (1978): Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 2. * The genus Philodicus Loew, 1848, in southern Africa. ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 23 (2): 419-428, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8367253
03C2A35CFFC6241C61CBFD9DFD9F470E.taxon	discussion	Although I have not seen any type material, I have studied a number of specimens from various localities in South Africa, Rhodesia, South West Africa, Angola and Lesotho. Specimens from Natal (near type locality) possess bicolourous black legs (supposedly characteristic of Jraterculus) while all other specimens possess entirely black legs (characteristic of nigripes). Terminalia are, however, identical and so I regard P. nigripes as a junior subjective synonym of P. Jraterculus. Hull (1967) described P. multicellula from a single female collected at Hensley's Dam, south of Leribe, Lesotho. His detailed description suggests that this specimen is almost identical to specimens of P. Jraterculus. I have seen a pair of P. Jraterculus from Lesotho, one collected at Leribe, and so there is little doubt of the synonymy. Hull (1967) emphasised the fact that P. multicellula possesses four extra crossveins in the subcostal cell. P. fraterculus often possesses such crossveins although the number is variable. I do not believe that the number of subcostal-crossveins is a reliable diagnostic character.	en	Londt, J. G. H. (1978): Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 2. * The genus Philodicus Loew, 1848, in southern Africa. ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 23 (2): 419-428, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8367253
03C2A35CFFC6241C61CBFD9DFD9F470E.taxon	description	The male clasper (Figs 7, 8) shows a degree of individual variation. The aedeagal tip (Figs 13, 14) is unlike any other southern African species in that it possesses two slightly swollen subapical bulbs and three shortish terminal prongs. Theodor (1976) illustrated the aedeagus of an undetermined South African species of Philodicus and there is little doubt that he studied P. Jraterculus.	en	Londt, J. G. H. (1978): Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 2. * The genus Philodicus Loew, 1848, in southern Africa. ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 23 (2): 419-428, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8367253
03C2A35CFFC6241C61CBFD9DFD9F470E.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: SOUTH AFRICA: Natal, 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Empangeni, 11.1906, H. v. P. B. (N. M.); 1 ♀, St Lucia, 28. XII. 1930, Marley (N. M.). Transvaal, 1 ♂, Lake Funduzi, 28. I. 1931, G. v. Son (N. M.); 1 ~, Entabeni Forest, 6. x 1 l. 1964, Vari & Potgieter (N. M.); 1 ♂, 2 ♀, Entabeni Forest, 12 - 17.1.1971 & 19.1. 1971, R. Jones (N. M.); 1 ♀, Johannesburg, St. George's Home, 26.111.1938, A. L. Capener (N. M.); 2 ♀, Pretoria, Wonderboom, 29. I. 1916, H. K. Munro (N. M.); 1 ♂, 3 ♀, Heidelberg, 21.1. 1921, H. K. Munro (N. M.); 1 ♂, 1 ♀, Pretoria, 25. x 1 l. 1912, H. K. Munro (N. M.); 2 ♂, Pretoria, 21.1.1919, 11.1.1914, H. K. Munro (N. M. & C. M.); 1 ♀, Wonderboom (Pretoria), 8.11.1907, C. Swierstra (N. M.); 1 ♀, Platrivier, Waterberg Dist. 1. I 1.1903, R. V. Jutrencha (N. M.). LESOTHO: 1 ♀, Leribe, 12. III. 1956, L. Bevis (D. M.); 1 ♂, Mamathes, I 1. III. 1956, L. Bevis (D. M.). RHODESIA: 1 ♂, Matesi, IV. 1934, R. H. R. Stevenson (S. A. M.). SOUTH WEST AFRICA: 1 ♂, Kaoko Otavi, 111.1926, S. A. M. Exped., (S. A. M.). ANGOLA: 1 ♂, Chitapua, SE 1415 Ad, 3 - 5. XII. 1973, M. J. Penrith & E. Mokgoabone (S. M.). Type material (not studied): SOUTH AFRICA: Natal, I ♀ holotype, Port Natal (Durban), (British Museum of Natural History). Types of P. nigripes are from MALA WI: I ♀ holotype, Mt. Mlanje, IS. XII. 1912, S. A. Neave (B. M. (N. H. )). RHODESIA: 1 ♂! paratype, Bulawayo; I ♀ paratype, Hope Fountain (National Museum Rhodesia). The type of P. multicellula is from LESOTHO: I 縠 holotype, Hensley's Dam, 13 km. S. W. Leribe, 30. III. l 951 loc. no. 254 Brinck & Rudebeck (E. M. L.).	en	Londt, J. G. H. (1978): Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 2. * The genus Philodicus Loew, 1848, in southern Africa. ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 23 (2): 419-428, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8367253
03C2A35CFFC6241C61CBFD9DFD9F470E.taxon	distribution	Distribution: The distribution of P. Jraterculus appears to be limited to southern Africa. The two female paratypes of P. nigripes from Uganda are anomalous and may represent incorrect identifications or a very much wider distribution. Prey: Three specimens have been mounted together with their prey. In two instances the prey are grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae) while the third prey is a flesh fly (Diptera: Sarcophagidae).	en	Londt, J. G. H. (1978): Afrotropical Asilidae (Diptera) 2. * The genus Philodicus Loew, 1848, in southern Africa. ANNALS OF THE NATAL MUSEUM 23 (2): 419-428, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8367253
