Acnephalomyia, Londt, 2010

Londt, Jason G. H., 2010, A review of Afrotropical Acnephalum Macquart, 1838, including the reinstatement of Sporadothrix Hermann, 1907 and descriptions of two new genera (Diptera: Asilidae: Stenopogoninae), African Invertebrates 51 (2), pp. 431-482 : 438

Genus Acnephalomyia gen. n.

Etymology: From Acnephalum and Greek myia (a fly). Feminine gender.

Type species: Dasypogon andrenoides Wiedemann, 1828 , by present designation.

As mentioned earlier, with the discovery that the type species of Acnephalum ( A. olivierii , a Palaearctic species) is not congeneric with Afrotropical species, it is necessary to describe a new genus for these species. As these species have had a long history of being called Acnephalum it was decided to retain at least part of the name in providing a new one, hence the choice of Acnephalomyia .

During this study it was further decided to re-establish Sporadothrix as a valid genus, and so species assigned to that taxon are handled separately below. In addition, it was discovered that Acnephalum futile is actually a species of Afroholopogon Londt, 1994 , and so that species is also handled separately under this name. With these adjustments there were actually only six valid Afrotropical species requiring revision at the commencement of this study (i.e. andrenoides , cockerelli , dorsale, platygaster , quadratus , sericeus ).

Diagnosis: Stenopogonine asilids with the following combination of characters. Head: Antennal postpedicel elongate, style composed of 3 elements (2 slender segments and terminal spine-like seta); head clearly wider than high in anterior view (not more or less circular); face slightly convex; mystax long, covering entire face; vertex distinctly excavated; angle of divergence of frons/vertex in anterior view <20°; palpi2-segmented, well-developed; proboscis straight. Thorax: Dorsocentrals undifferentiated; anatergites bare; metepisternal macrosetae absent; postmetacoxal area membranous; pulvilli present, but poorly developed (c. one-third length of claws); wing with cell m 3 open at margin; costal vein extends around wing margin, terminating at A 1 (i.e. anal cell and alula without bordering vein); stump-vein at base of R 4 commonly present, even if rudimentary. Abdomen: Segments clearly wider than long and dorsoventrally flattened; terga commonly long setose laterally; segments 1–6 clearly visible, terminal segments much reduced and withdrawn (often almost hidden from view).