Physocephala antiqua, (Wiedemann, 1830)

Stuke, Jens-Hermann & Clements, David K., 2019, New conopid records from the Afrotropical Region (Diptera) - Part 3: Physocephalini, Bonn zoological Bulletin 68 (2), pp. 209-273 : 217-222

P. antiqua (Wiedemann, 1830)

( Figs 7–10 )

Conops antiqua Wiedemann 1830

= Conops maculipes Bigot, 1887 syn. nov.

= Conops interrupta Bezzi, 1901

= Conops erythraspis Bezzi, 1901

= Physocephala flavifacies Kröber, 1915

= Physocephala limbata Kröber, 1915

= Physocephala rubicunda Kröber, 1915

= Physocephala madagascariensis Kröber, 1915 syn. nov. = Physocephala gracilia Kröber, 1915 syn. nov.

= Physocephala decisa Brunetti, 1925

= Physocephala brevistylata Kröber, 1931

= Physocephala minutissima Kröber, 1933 syn. nov.

= Physocephala nigroscutellata Kröber, 1933

Primary type material examined. ♀ holotype of Conops maculipes Bigot, 1887 : (1) “Holo - / type”; (2) “ S. Africa: / Cape of Good Hope. / ex coll. J. Bigot / ex coll. G. H. Verrall / B.M. 1914-500 [strikethrough]”; (3) “ C. maculigera ♀ / Cap. B. Hop. ”; coll. NHML .

♂ holotype of Physocephala rubicunda Kröber, 1915 : (1)”3055”; (2) “Type”; (3) “ Physocephala ♂ / rubicunda Krb. / O. Kröber det. 1914”; coll. ZMHB.

♂ syntype of Physocephala decisa Brunetti 1925 : (1) “ Syn- / type”; (2) “N. E. Rhodesia. / Upper Luangwa R. / 27 July 13 Aug. 1910. / S. A. Neave ”; (3) “ Physocephala / decisa / Brun. Type ♂ / Det. E. Brunetti 1924”; (4) “BMNH(E)# / 249074”; coll. NHML .

♀ syntype of Physocephala decisa Brunetti 1925 : (1) “ Syn- / type”; (2) “N. E. Rhodesia. / Upper Luangwa R. / 27 July 13 Aug. 1910. / S. A. Neave ”; (3) “ Physocephala / decisa / Brun. Type ♀ / Det. E. Brunetti 1924”; (4) “BMNH(E)# / 249077”; coll. NHML .

♀ syntype of Physocephala decisa Brunetti 1925 : (1) “ Syn- / type”; (2) “ Rusapi / S. Rhodesia / 19.12.1920 / Rhodesi / Museum”; (3) “Pres. by. / Imp. Bur. Ent. / Brit. Mus. / 1924-306”; (4) “ Physocephala / decisa / Brun. / Type ♀ / Det. E. Brunetti 1924”; (5) “BMNH(E)# / 249075”; coll. NHML .

♂ holotype of Physocephala minutissima Kröber, 1933 : (1) “1” “ Holo- / type”; (2) “ Type ”; (3) “8.6.16 / Ruo / Nyasaland / 200 ft / R. C. Wood / 601.”; (4) “Pres. by. / Imp. Inst. Ent. / Brit. Mus. / 1931-480”; (5) “ Physocephala / minutissima / ♂ Krb”; (6) “BMNH(E)# / 249071”; coll. NHML .

♀ holotype of Physocephala nigroscutellata Kröber 1933 : (1) “ Holo- / type”; (2) “Type”; (3) “Lady Grey / 1 Feb. 1924 / R. I. Nel ”; (4) “Pres. by / Imp. Inst. Ent. / Brit. Mus. / 1932-143.”; (5) “ Phsocephala / nigroscutella [sic] / ♀ Krb / det. Kröber 1931”; (6) “BMNH(E)# / 249072”; coll. NHML .

Additional material. BENIN: 1♀, ix.2006, Adohoun [06°39’27.55″N 01°39’09.76″E], light trap, leg. G. Goer- gen, coll. IITA ; 1♂, v.2007, Athiémé [06°14‘20.00″N 01°40‘00.00″E], leg. G. Goergen, coll. IITA ; 1♂, viii.2006, Athiémé [06°14’20.00″N 01°40’00.00″E], sweep netting, leg. G. Goergen, coll. IITA ; 1♀, 14. vi.2006, Calavi , sweep netting, leg. G. Goergen, coll. IITA ; 1♂, 7.viii.2006, Calavi , campus [06°26’15.00″N 02°19’42.00″E], sweep netting, leg. G. Goergen, coll. IITA ; 1♀, 25.x.2007, ditto ; BURUNDI: 1♀, 24.viii.1957, Kisenyi , leg. F. J. François, coll. ISNB ; 1♀, 22.i.1950, Rumonge , 780 m, det. as P. nigroscutellata by Janssen 1954, leg. F. J. François, coll. ISNB ; 1♂, 9.iii.1952, Bubanza Province, 7 km s de Gihanga, 850 m, det. as P. nigroscutellata by Janssen 1954, leg. F. J. François, coll. BMSA ; CAMEROON: 1♀, 24.iv.1914, Uamgebiet, Bossum , leg. G. Tessmann, coll. ZMHB ; 1♀, 12.v.1914, Uamgebiet , Bossum, det. as P. interrupta by Kröber, leg. G. Tessmann, coll. ZMHB ; CENTRAL AFRICAN RE- PUBLIC: 1♀, 14.v.2009, 45 km ssw Bamingui [07°15′N 20°03′E], leg. J. Halada, coll. CULSP ; 1♂, 20.iv.2010, Reserve Koukorou Bamingui [07°15′N 20°03′E], 440 m, leg. J. Halada, coll. CULSP ; DEMOCRATIC REPUB- LIC OF CONGO: 1♀, i.–ii.1913, Congo da Lemba, det. as P. decisa by Brunetti 1925, leg. R. Mayné, coll. MRAC ; ETHIOPIA: 1♂, 24.v.2015, 10 km nw Mega [04°08′N 38°16′E], 1670 m, leg. J. Halada, coll. CULSP ; 8♂♂, 11.–13.v.2015, 20 km se Konsa [05°15′N 37°32′E], 850 m, leg. J. Halada, coll. CULSP ; 1♂ 2♀♀, 14.v.2015, 40 km w Konso [5°19′N 37°04′E], 600 m, leg. J. Halada, coll. CULSP ; 1♂, 10.v.2015, 45 km ne Arba Minch [6°17′N 37°47′E], 1200 m, leg. J. Halada, coll. CULSP ; 1♀, 21.iv.2016, Arsi [7°49′06″N 40°31′52″E], 886 m, leg. J. Halada, coll. CULSP ; 1♀, 22.v.2015, Wachile env. [04°32′N 39°03′E], 1070 m, leg. J. Halada, coll. CULSP ; GAMBIA: 1♂, 4.xi.1977, Bakau at tropic Bungalow [UTM 28PCK1790], swept in meadow rich in flowers, at the beach, leg. Cederholm, Daniellson, Hammarstedt, Hedqvist, Samuelsson, coll. MZLU ; 1♀, 16.x.1999, Ki- ang West National Park , headquarter, leg. W. Schacht, coll. ZSMC ; IVORY COAST: 1♀, 9.xi.1983, Badenous Mbingué [9.50°N 5.50°W], leg. R. Summkeller, coll. ZFMK ; KENYA: 1♂, 27.iv.2008, Nguni, n of Ngomeni , hand net, leg. M. Snížek, coll. PMME ; 2♂♂, 29.iv.1995, Tsavo East , leg. R. Copeland, coll. NMKE ; 1♂, 10. vi.1998, Tsavo East National Park, near Athi River [2°37′S 38°22′E], leg. R. Copeland, coll. NMKE ; 1♂, 22.v.2006, Coast Province, Tsavo East National Park, near Galana River [UTM UTM 37 m 503352 9665277], 246 m, hand net, leg. P. Cerretti, D. Avesani, G. Carpan- eto, G. Nardi, coll. PMME ; 1♀, 26.–29.vi.1999, Eastern Province, at Athi river [2°38.51′S 38°21.98′E], Malaise trap, leg. R. Copeland, coll. IITA ; 1♂, 17.–31.viii.2005, Nyanza Province, Ungoye, ICIPE Field Station [0.61325°S 34.08908°E], 1127 m, leg. R. Copeland, coll. NMKE ; 1♂, 26.vi.–10.vii.2007, Rift Valley Province, Sumburu Nature Reserve, near Ewaso Ng′iro River [0.56797°N 37.53563°E], 874 m, Malaise trap, riverine forest next to headquarter, leg. R. Copeland, coll. NMKE ; 1♂, 12.–26.vi.2006, ditto ; 1♂, 10.iv.1998, Samburu Dis- trict, Samburu Serena Lodge, leg. R. Copeland, coll. NMKE ; LESOTHO: 1♂, 1.xi.1949, Mamathes [-29.136617 27.845796], leg. C. Jacot-Guillarmod, coll. AMGS ; MADAGASCAR: 1♀, 8.xi.2003, Anteninde, Sakahara [22°53′57″S 44°28′12″E], 395 m, leg. A. Ssy- mank, coll. PASS ; 1♂, v.1937, Bekily , leg. A. Seyrig, coll. MNHN ; 1♂, iv.1937, ditto ; 1♂, v.1937, ditto ; 1♂ 1♀, iv.1942, Bekily, det. as P. madagascariensis by Camras 1960, leg. A. Seyrig, coll. MRAC ; 2♂♂, 9. iv.1994, Berenty reserve 80 km w of Port-Dauphin [25°00′S 46°18′E], leg. M. Wasbauer, coll. UCDC, PMHA ; 1♀, 6.xi.2003, Ihasofotsy-Flussufer, ca 10 km wsw Ihosy [22°25′16″S 46°00′14″E], 1000 m, leg. A. Ssymank, coll. PASS ; 1♂, 19.iii.1994, Isalo, Analalava , leg. A. Pauly, coll. MRAC ; 1♀, 25.ii.–3.iii.1968, Majun- ga s. l., det. as P. madagascariensis by Camras 2000, leg. K. M. G. & P. D., coll. NHML [ NHMUK010922098 ] ; 1♂, i.1992, Morarano-Chrome [17°45′S 47°59′E], leg. A. Pauly, coll. MRAC ; 1♂, no date, Sambirano , leg. [?], coll. ZMHB ; 1♀, no date, Tananarivo, det. as P. madagascariensis by Camras 1960, [collector unknown], coll. MRAC ; 1♀ 1 specimen, i.1952, Tzimbazaza-Tananarive, det. as P. madagascariensis by Camras 1960, leg. R. Benoist, coll. MRAC ; 1♀, 28.vii.–vi. viii.2001, Di- ego-Suarez (Antsiranana), Sakalava Beach , malaise across sandy trail in dwarf littoral forest [12°15′46″S 49°23′51″E], 10 m, leg. R. Harin′Hala, coll. CAS ; 1♂, 4.i.2007, Mahayanga Province, 20 km nw Borinziny [15°27.07′S 47°36.85′E], 37 m, hand netted in tropical dry forest on white sand, leg. M. E. Irwin, F. D. Parker, R. Harin′Hala, coll. CAS ; 1♀, 1.xi.1993, Tamatave (Toama- sina), Analmalotran Tamatave , leg. C. F. Kassebeer, coll. PCFK ; 1♀, 12.xii.1991, Tuléar (Toliara), Ampanihy, leg. A. Pauly, coll. MRAC ; 1♀, 6.–16.i.2003, Tuléar (Toli- ara), Andohaela National Park, Parcel II, Tsimela , mal- aise trap in transitional forest, 175 m [24°56.21′S 46°37.60′E], leg. M. E. Irwin, F. D. Parker, R. Harin′Ha- la, coll. CAS ; 1♂, 12.iv.1968, Tuléar (Toliara), Bevilany , 300 m, det. as P. madagascariensis by Camras 2000, leg. K. M. G. & P. D., coll. NHML [ NHMUK010922097 ] ; 1♀, 8.–18.vi.2002, Tuléar (Toliara), Beza Mahafaly Re- serve, malaise in dry deciduous gallery forest, 165 m [23°41.19′S 44°35.46′E], leg. R. Harin′Hala, M. E. Irwin, coll. CAS ; MALI: 1♀, 20.viii.1991, 10 km s Mopti , leg. M. Schwarz, coll. PMHA ; 1♂, 20.viii.1991, 10 km s Mopti , sweep netting, leg. M. Schwarz, coll. PMHA ; 1♂, 31.vii.1991, 40 km sw Segou , sweep netting, leg. M. Schwarz, coll. PMHA ; MOZAMBIQUE: 2♂♂, 12.–20. xii.2003, Manica Province, 45 km nw Chimoio, leg. J. Halada, coll. CULSP ; NAMIBIA: 1♀, 28.i. 1993, 100 km sw Rundu , leg. M. Schwarz, coll. PMHA ; 2♀♀, 16.i. 1993, 125 km sw Rundu , leg. M. Schwarz, coll. PMHA ; 2♀♀, 16.i.1993, ditto ; 2♂♂, 4.ii.1993, 15 km e Swakopmund , sweep netting, leg. M. Schwarz, coll. PMHA ; 2♂♂, 29.iii.2000, 18 km se Stamprieton C 15 to Gochas [24.28°S 18.30°E], visiting pink flowers of Galenia , leg. F. W. Gees, S. K. Gees, coll. AMGS ; 2♂♂, 4. ii.1990, 30 km e Windhoek , sweep netting, leg. M. Schwarz, coll. PMHA ; 1♂, 12.iii.2014, 35 km w Gobabis [22°23′S 18°39′E], 1480 m, leg. J. Halada, coll. CULSP ; 1♂, 16.ii.1990, 40 km w Witvlei , leg. M. Schwarz, coll. PMHA ; 1♂, 16.ii.1990, 40 km w Witvlei , sweep netting, leg. M. Schwarz, coll. PMHA ; 1♂, 11.iii.–9.iv.1985, 6 km n Arandis, Damaraland [22°22′S 14°59′E], leg. J. Irish, H. Rust, coll. SMWN ; 1♀, 21.i.1993, 60 km E Rundu , leg. M. Schwarz, coll. PMHA ; 1♂, 13.ii.1990, 73 km s Mariental , sweep netting, leg. M. Schwarz, coll. PMHA ; 3♀♀, 25.ix.1997, e Oranjemund 28 km from checkpoint to Sendelingsdrif [29.26°S 16.42°E], on yel- low flowers of Deverradenudata (Viv.) Pfisterer & Podl., leg. F. W. Gees, S. K. Gees, coll. AMGS ; 2♂♂, 20. xii.1995, Etosha National Park, 50 km ne Okaukuejo , “Salvado” [18.9°S 16.5°E], leg. C. Schmid-Egger, coll. PMHA ; 1♀, 16.–19.i.2007, Gobabeb, Kuiseb-Tal , at light, leg. Mey, Ebert, coll. ZMHB ; 1♀, 11.ii.1993, Oka- handja, leg. M. Schwarz, coll. PMHA ; 1♀, 7.iii.1999, Karas Mountains , 6 km s on 201 from 26 [27.09°S 19.01°E], on yellow flowers of Vahlia capensis (L. f.) Thunb., leg. F. W. Gees, S. K. Gees, coll. AMGS ; 1♂, 25.iv.1972, Karasburg , Warmbad, SE 2818 Ba, [collector unknown], coll. SMWN ; 1♂, 17.–19.v.1978, Khowarib, R., SE 1914 Ac, Kackoland , leg. S. Louw, M.-L. Penrith, coll. SMWN ; 1♂, 12.–14.iv.1974, Mukorob 14, Namaland, SE 2918 Ac, [collector unknown], coll. SMWN ; 1♂, 15.iii.1997, near Aus on road to Helmering- hausen [26.37°S 19.20°E], visiting white flowers of Psilocaulon göareosum (Berger) Dinter & Schwantes , leg. F. W. Gees, S. K. Gees, coll. AMGS ; 1♂, 10.–13.ii.1972, Otjikoko-Sud 61, Omaruru, SE 2116 Ad, [collector un- known], coll. SMWN ; 1♂, 4.–5.iii.1972, Plateau 38, Luderitz, SE 2616 Cb, [collector unknown], coll. SMWN ; 1♂, 27.iv.1972, Rotegab 95, Keetmanshoop, SE 2718 Ad, [collector unknown], coll. SMWN ; 1♀, 11.iv.1998, Swakop River bed on road to Goanikontes [22.41°S 14.35°E], on white flowers of Psilocaulon salicornioides (Pax) Schwantes , leg. F. W. Gees, S. K. Gees, coll. AMGS ; 1♂, 11.iv.1998, Swakop River bed on road to Goanikontes [22.41°S 14.35°E], visiting deep pink flow- ers of Gelenia papulosa (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Sond. , leg. F. W. Gees, S. K. Gees, coll. AMGS ; 2♂♂, 11.iv.1998, Swakop River bed on road to Goanikontes [22.41°S 14.35°E], visiting white flowers of Psilocaulon salicornioides (Pax) Schwantes , leg. F. W. Gees, S. K. Gees, coll. AMGS ; 1♂, 11.iv.1998, Swakop River bed on road to Goanikontes [22.41°S 14.35°E], visiting yellow flowers of Zygophyllum simplex , leg. F. W. Gees, S. K. Gees, coll. AMGS ; 1♀, 16.iii.1999, Swakopmund, Swakop River at bridge [22.42°S 14° 32°E], on white flowers of Zygophyllum stapffii Schinz , leg. F. W. Gees, S. K. Gees, coll. AMGS ; 1♂, 13.iv.2002, Walfisbay, Swakopmundvia Dune 7 [22.55°S 14.36°E], leg. F. W. Gees, S. K. Gees, coll. AMGS ; 1♀, 20.–23.xii.1974, Windhoek , Wasser- vallei [22°55′S 16°22′E], [collector unknown], coll. SMWN ; 1♀, 6.–8.ii.2001, Gobabis District, Somerkoms 521 [22°01′59″S 19°57′22″E], leg. A. H. Kirk-Spriggs, coll. SMWN ; 1♀, 20.iii.2014, Harda Province, 15 km s Rehobot [23°28′S 17°07′E], 1400 m, leg. J. Halada, coll. CULSP ; 2♂♂, 16.ii.1990, Omaheke Region, Gobabis , 40 km w Witvlei, leg. M. Schwarz, coll. PMHA ; 1♀, 25.–27.iii.2003, Rundu District, Mile 46 [18°18′39″S 19°15′29″E], leg. A. H. Kirk-Spriggs, coll. SMWN ; SENEGAL: 1♂, 27.vi.2004, 60 km s Velingara , sweep netting, leg. M. Halada, coll. CULSP ; SOUTH AFRICA: 1♂ 2♀♀, 8.–12.ii.1982, Sandveld Nature Reserve , Hoop- stad, SE 2725 Da, leg. Entomology Department, coll. BMSA ; 1♂, xii.1956, [?] “ Snoot Rivien ”, leg. Martin, coll. AMGS ; 1♂, 3.–8.x.1989, Cape Province, 15 km n of Nieuwoudtville on road to Loeriesfontein , leg. F. W. Gees, S. K. Gees, coll. AMGS ; 1♀, 4.i.2010, Cape Prov- ince, 25 km n Jansenville [32°49′S 24°44′E], 600 m, leg. J. Halada, coll. CULSP ; 1♀, xii.1922, Cape Province, Aliwal North, det. as P. brevistylatus by Kröber 1938, leg. R. E. Turner, coll. NHML [ NHMUK010922102 ] ; 1♀, 3.xii.1986, Cape Province, Bloutoring [33°28′40″S 20°19′15″E], leg. F. W. Gess, coll. AMGS ; 1♀, 24. xii.1960, Cape Province, Grahamstown, leg. E. McC Callan, coll. AMGS ; 1♀, 27.xi.1981, Cape Province, Grahamstown , [?] ”Olakwater”, leg. F. W. Gess, coll. AMGS ; 1♀, 13.i.1986, Cape Province, Grahamstown, Clifton , leg. R. W. Gees, coll. AMGS ; 1♀, 12.–30.i.1970, Cape Province, Grahamstown, Hilton [-33.310629 26.525595], Malaise trap, leg. F. W. Gess, coll. AMGS ; 1♂, 3.iii.1978, Cape Province, Grahamstown, Hilton [-33.310629 26.525595], on flowers of Melolobium candicans in sandpit, leg. F. W. Gess, coll. AMGS ; 1♂, 3. iii.1978, Cape Province, Grahamstown, Hilton [-33.310629 26.525595], leg. S. K. Gess, coll. AMGS ; 1♂, 2.xii.1989, Cape Province, Grahamstown, Hilton [-33.310629 26.525595], leg. F. W. Gees, S. K. Gees, coll. AMGS ; 1♀, 22.x.1981, Cape Province, Graham- stown, Lynton , leg. F. W. Gees, S. K. Gees, coll. AMGS ; 1♂, 12.ii.1967, Cape Province, Grahamstown , Strowahn, leg. C. Jacot-Guillarmod, coll. AMGS ; 1♂, 19.–24. iii.191[?], Cape Province, Grahamstown , Table Farm, leg. F. W. Gess, coll. AMGS ; 1♂ 1♀, 2.–13.iii.2008, Cape Province, Grahamstown, Three Chimneys Farm [33°18.542′S 26°29.846′E], leg. A. H. Kirk-Spriggs, coll. AMGS ; 1♂, 11.x.1994, Cape Province, Hamaqual and Kamieskroon / Sors Sors , leg. F. W. Gees, S. K. Gees, coll. AMGS ; 1♂, 17.–21. & 24.ix.1995, Cape Province, Richtersveld National Park, Koeroegabvlakte [28.11°S 17.03°E], visiting deep pink flowers of Hermbstaetia glauca (Wendl.) Reichb. ex Steud. , leg. F. W. Gess, S. K. Gess., R. W. Gess, coll. AMGS ; 1♂, 15.ix.1996, Cape Province, Richtersveld, Pachtviel [28.33°S 16.34°E], leg. F. W. Gess, S. K. Gess., R. W. Gess, coll. AMGS ; 1♂, 16.xi.1994, Cape Province, Tierberg [33.10°S 22.16°E], visiting cream flowers of Asclepias buchenaviana Schinz , leg. F. W. Gees, S. K. Gees, coll. AMGS ; 1♂, 26.xi.–5. xii.1987, Cape Province, Tierberg , research station [33°7′42″S 22°16′24″E], leg. F. W. Gess, S. K. Gess., R. W. Gess, coll. AMGS ; 1♀, 26.xi.–25.xii.1987, Cape Province, Tierberg , study site [33°10′S 22°16′24″E], on flowers of Asclepis buchenaviana Schinz , leg. F. W. Gess, S. K. Gess., R. W. Gess, coll. AMGS ; 6♂♂, 26. xi.–5.xii.1987, Cape Province, Tierberg , study site [33°10′S 22°16′24″E], visiting flowers of Asclepias buchenaviana Schinz , leg. F. W. Gess, S. K. Gess., R. W. Gess, coll. AMGS ; 1♀, 1.-9-xii.1988, Cape Province, Vanwyksfontein , 8 km w of Norvalspont, leg. R. W. Gees, coll. AMGS ; 1♀, 12.i.2004, Eastern Cape Prov- ince, Grahamstown , [33°16′00″S 26°28′60″E], 629 m, leg. C. Hepburn, coll. AMGS ; 1♂, 10.x.1992, Eastern Cape Province, Grahamstown, Hoowisonspoort , 3326 BC, leg. T. Doubel, coll. AMGS ; 1♂, 28.ii.2004, Eastern Cape Province, Thomas Baines Nature Reserve [33°23′02′S 26°29′01″E], leg. C. C. Robertson, coll. AMGS ; 1♀, no date, Eastern Cape Province, Willow- more, leg. Brauns, coll. PJHS ; 1♂, xii.1907, Eastern Cape Province, Willowmore, det. as P. interrupta , leg. H. Brauns, coll. MRAC ; 1♀, no date, Eastern Cape Prov- ince, Willowmore, det. as P. interrupta , leg. H. Brauns, coll. MRAC ; 1♂, 25.i.1902, Eastern Cape Province, Wil- lowmore, leg. Brauns, coll. PJHS ; 1♀, 25.–29.x.2010, Free State Province, Brandfort, Florisbad Res. Stat. [28°46.039′S 26°04.234′E], leg. A. H. Kirk-Spriggs, coll. BMSA ; 2♀♀, 8.–12.ii.1982, Free State Province, Hoop- stad, Sandfeld Nature Reserve , SE 2725 Da, leg. Ento- mology Department, coll. BMSA ; 1♀, 13.xii.1995, Mpumalanga Province, Blyderevierspoort NP [24°39′S 30°50′E], leg. F. Koch, coll. ZMHB ; 1♂, 1.x.1997, Northern Cape, 60 km e Springbok [29.28°S 18.26°E], visiting cream flowers of Asclepias buchenaviana Schinz , leg. F. W. Gees, S. K. Gees, coll. AMGS ; 1♂, 10.x.2000, Northern Cape, Pachtvlei, e Alexander Bay [28.33°S 16°34′E], visiting yellow flowers of Lebeckia , leg. F. W. Gees, S. K. Gees, coll. AMGS ; 1♂, 20.xi.1999, Western Cape Province, 7 km n of Avontuur [33°40′S 23°09′E], sweep netting, leg. M. Hauser, coll. PMHA ; 1♀, 11. iv.2006, Western Cape Province, Stellenbosch [33°55′S 18°51′E], leg. E. Mostert, coll. AMGS ; SUDAN: 1♂, 14.vi.1996, Blue Nile, Wad Medani, leg. G. G. M. Schul- ten, coll. RMNH ; 1♂, 1935, Sangha près Bandiagara , leg. M. Griaule, coll. MNHN ; TANZANIA: 1♀, 16.i.2007, Pwani Province, 15 km e Utete [08°03′S 38°53′E], 75 m, leg. J. Halada, coll. CULSP ; TOGO: 2♀♀, 7.iv.2008, Mono riverside s Ahassomé [7°11′14″N 01°28′52″E], 90 m, leg. A. Ssymank, coll. PASS ; ZAM- BIA: 1♀, 27.vii.–13.viii.1910, Upper Luangwa River , des. as syntype of P. decisa , leg. S. A. Neave, coll. NHML [ NHMUK010922107 ] ; 5♂♂, 20.v.–29.vii.1988, Zambe- si Valley [16°18′S 30°16′E], leg. J. Weyrich, coll. ZFMK ; ZIMBABWE: 1♂ 4♀♀, 18.–19.xii.2011, 60 km nnw Bu- lawayo [19°41′S 28°21′E], 1200 m, leg. J. Halada, coll. CULSP ; 1♀, 14.xii.1919, Bulawayo, des. as syntype of P. decisa , [collector unknown], coll. NHML [ NHMUK010922108 ]; UNKNOWN LOCATION : 1♀, 24.i.1928, “ Rersolution ”, leg. A. Walton, coll. AMGS ; 1♀, 1893, “ Shitlesia ”, leg., coll. AMGS ; 1♂, no date, “T287”, [collector unknown], coll. ZFMK ; 1♂, no date, “T426”, [collector unknown], coll. ZFMK.

Stuke (2015b) concluded that P. antiqua is an outstandingly variable species and as a result several new synonyms were recognised in the Palaearctic Region. While reviewing the large amount of material available it became evident that most of the commonly occurring Afrotropical Physocephala specimens also belong to the antiqua species-group. It cannot be excluded that factors such as DNA-sequencing, newly discovered morpholog- ical characters or the host ranges of larvae may even- tually necessitate the splitting of P. antiqua as defined herewith but at the present time the consistent separation of distinct species within this highly variable taxon is not possible using the morphological characters which are currently available, or which have been used in the past. We could not find any consistent differences in the male postabdomen or female theca within the various morphs, for example, and the Afrotropical material is highly vari- able in respect of characters such as wing pattern and microtrichiation, size and shape of the vertex, dusting and setulae on the pleura, body size, and colouration of the legs, abdomen and thorax. Dark-winged specimens with the basal cell almost completely covered with mi- crotrichia (although never completely covered!) appear remarkably distinct, but we also found intermediates. Such specimens could potentially be incorrectly assigned to the newly described P. guillarmodi (see below) although the dark brown subcosta of P. antiqua (light orange-brown or yellow in P. guillarmodi ) and the more or less black scutellum (orange in P. guillarmodi ) are good characters for separating these two species. Physocephala antiqua specimens with a shortened radial-medial crossvein appear very similar to species of the microvena species-group, but always lack a distinct shining in- dention at the hind margin of the eye and have a differ- ent male postabdomen. Specimens in which the pleural dusting stripe is indistinct, such as in old specimens or specimens which have been wetted, could very easily be misidentified as belonging to the vittata species-group.

Physocephala maculipes has previously been de- scribed as a very variable species ( Camras 2001). We cannot find any differences to distinguish Afrotropical specimens previously reported as P. maculipes , nor the examined holotype, from Palaearctic specimens which have been identified as P. antiqua . Therefore, Physocephala [ Conops ] maculipes Bigot, 1887 is herewith placed as a junior synonym of Physocephala [ Conops ] antiqua Wiedemann, 1830 (syn. nov.). Consequently, all previ- ous synonyms of P. maculipes are also now placed as synonyms of P. antiqua (see Stuke 2017a).

Physocephala madagascariensis Kröber, 1915 is the only species of the genus reported from Madagascar to date. This is also described as being a very variable spe- cies ( Camras 1962a) and in our view cannot be distinguished from P. antiqua , and therefore it is also herewith placed as a junior synonym to Physocephala [ Conops ] antiqua Wiedemann, 1830 (syn. nov.). This is the only species known from Madagascar, so there should be no doubt concerning the identification of specimens.

Kröber (1939) had previously assumed that his P. minutissima was no more than a small, dark morph of P. interrupta Bezzi, 1901 (= P. antiqua ). We examined the male holotype, hitherto the only known specimen of this species, which is in very bad condition with both wings and abdomen lost. We also have specimens of small and dark Afrotropical P. antiqua which fit completely with the original description of P. minutissima , as well as with the remaining parts of the holotype. Physocephala minutissima Kröber, 1933 is therefore also herewith placed as a junior synonym to Physocephala [ Conops ] antiqua Wiedemann, 1830 (syn. nov.).

Physocephala gracilia Kröber, 1915 has so far only been known from two syntype specimens. Camras (2001) considered that P. gracilia might be synonym of P. maculipes Bigot, 1887 (= P. antiqua ) and in fact almost all the characters given both in the original description and in the additional information provided by Camras (2001) fall within the variability of P. antiqua . We also have oth- er specimens to hand which fit completely with the orig- inal description. The only anomalous characters in the original description are the short proboscis, completely black claws and shining tergites 1–3, which have not been found to date in material of P. antiqua . These characters were not mentioned in the key of Kröber (1915), however, nor in the subsequent comments of Camras (2001), and are not evident in any the material which we have to hand. One syntype is probably destroyed ( Stuke 2017a) whilst the second is held at the Museo Civico di Storia Naturale “Giacomo Doria” but was not available for examination. In the absence of better information we therefore believe the best current solution for this cryp- tic taxon is to place Physocephala gracilia Kröber, 1915 as a junior synonym of Physocephala [ Conops ] antiqua Wiedemann, 1830 (syn. nov.).

Figures

Figs 7–10. Physocephala antiqua (Wiedemann, 1830). 7. Epandrium, dorsal view (♂, Namaqualand and Kamieskroon); 8. Hypan- drium and phallus, lateral view (♂, Namaqualand and Kamieskroon); 9. Wing, darker form, ventral view (♀, Clifton, Graham- stown); 10. Wing, paler form, ventral view (♀, Badenou s Mbingué). dp = distiphallus; ea = ejaculatory apodeme; har = hypandrial arms; hba = hypandrial bars; hbr = hypandrial bridge; pa = phallapodeme; po = postgonite; poe = postgonite evagination; psh = phallus sheath.