Coleoptera

Carabidae-Trechinae

par Dr. R. JEANNEL

Gen. Plocamotrechus Jeannel

Plocamotrechus Jeannel, 1926, Monogr. Trechinae (L’Abeille, 32, p. 543).—1940, Ruwenzori

Expédition, vol. III, p. 123.

Plocamotrechus ruwenzoricus subsp. strictus Jeannel

UGANDA: Monts Ruwenzori, Lake Bujuku, alt. 13,050 ft. (D. S. Fletcher, 22-28.vii.1952),

5 exemplaires.

La forme typique a été découverte par L. Burgeon dans la vallée de la Nyamwamba, sur le

versant occidental. La subsp. strictus Jeannel (Ruwenzori Exp. 1934-5, III, 1940, p. 124) avait

déja été recueillie par F. W. Edwards vers 3200 m. d’altitude dans la vallée Nyamwamba, au

dessus du lac George, sur le versant de Uganda.

Plocamotrechus rotundatus sp.n.

Figure 4.—Long, 4.4 4,5 mm. Aptére. Court, les elytres largement ovales, réguli¢rement convexes.

Brun de poix, avec la marge des élytres roussatre. Microsculpture trés effacée, formée par un réseau

a4 mailles étirées en travers, comme chez le ruwenzoricus. Téte arrondie, plus étroite que le pro-

notum, les mandibules courtes, les yeux petits, plans, 4 peine plus longs que les tempes. Antennes

gréles. Pronotum un peu plus large que long, la base large, les cdtés sans sinuosité postérieure, la

base rectiligne; gouttiére marginale étroite, les fossettes basales petites et peu profondes. Elytres

courts et larges, les épaules arrondies; stries fines, toutes visibles, le interstices plans. Pattes courtes.

Chétotaxie normale. Deux soies discales sur le 3° interstrie, contre la 3° strie, l’antérieure vers

le quart basal, la postérieure un peu aprés le milieu.

Male inconnu.

Parmi les Plocamotrechus du Ruwenzori, cette espece est la seule avec le ruwenzoricus a présenter

une microsculpture des élytres formée de mailles étirées en travers. Mais les deux espéces sont tres

différentes l'une de l’autre, le ruwenzoricus étant de grande taille, 4 élytres oblongs allongés, le

rotundatus par contre trés court, 4 élytres courts. Ses yeux sont aussi beaucoup plus réduits.

t+(144) 17

Ruwenzori Expedition, 1952, Volume II

UGANDA: Monts Ruwenzori: Mahoma river, alt. 8350 ft., une femelle (type) (D. S. Fletcher,

9.Vii.1952).—Lake Mahoma, alt. 9600 ft., une femelle (D. S. Fletcher, 12.vii.1952).

Plocamotrechus burgeoni Alluaud

UGANDA: Monts Ruwenzori: Lake Bujuku, alt. 13,050 ft., 3 exemplaires (D. S. Fletcher,

22-28.Vii.19 52).

Cette espéce dont les types proviennent des sources de la Nyamwamba, versant occidental du

pic Batoda, vers 4200 m. d’altitude, avait déja été reprise en Uganda, vers 3500 m. dans la vallée

de la Nyamgasani (D. R. Buxton, Ruwenzori Exp., III, 1934-5, 1940, p. 125).

Plocamotrechus fletcheri sp.n.

Figures 1-3.—Long. 5 mm. Aptére. Robuste. Noir, la marge des élytres roussatre, les antennes et

les pattes rougeatres. Aspect mat, la microsculpture forte, constituée par un réseau de mailles

isodiamétrales. Téte courte, déprimée, plus étroite que le pronotum, les mandibules saillantes,

les yeux grands et saillants plus longs que les tempes. Antennes peu longues. Pronotum un peu

plus large que long, 4 cétés bien arrondis en avant et base rectiligne, les angles postérieurs obtus

mais vifs; goutti¢re marginale fine, le disque aplani, sans fossettes basales. Elytres oblongs, 4

épaules arrondies, les stries fines et entiéres, les interstries plans. Pattes courtes.

Chétotaxie normale. Deux soies discales sur la 3° strie, l’antérieure au cinquiéme basal, la

postérieure un peu apres le milieu.

Edéage (Figure 2) de méme type que celui de l’alluaudi Jeann. (Ruwenz. Exp., III, 1940, p. 124,

Figures 1 c, d, e), court, avec l’apex simple. Il différe cependant par l’absence de coudure 4 la base,

l’apex un peu plus long et infléchi, les styles armés de 3 soies et non de 4. La piéce copulatrice est

de méme forme, en U, mais plus volumineuse encore que celle de la subsp. edwardsi Jeann., déja

plus grande que celle de la forme typique.

Le P. fletcheri différe extérieurement de l’alluaudi et de sa subsp. edwardsi par sa taille plus petite

et sa téte bien moins volumineuse.

UGANDA: Monts Ruwenzori: Mahoma river, alt. 8350 ft., un male (D. S. Fletcher, 9.vii.1952).

Coleoptera

Fic. 1. Plocamotrechus fletcheri sp.n., male, de Mahoma river, x 12.—Fic. 2. Edéage du méme,

x 45.—Fic. 3. Piéce copulatrice plus grossie. — Fic. 4. Plocamotrechus rotundatus sp.n., femelle,

de Mahoma river, x 12.

Coleoptera

Gyrinidae

By Per BRINCK

The whirligig beetles are represented by a great many species in the Ethiopian region. Rather few

are widespread. The latter species usually inhabit the plains and the lowland and occur in almost

all types of aquatic habitats. Most species, however, live in mountains or mountain ranges and

so are geographically more or less restricted. Central African mountains, like Kilimanjaro, Kenya,

Elgon &c. are fairly rich in such endemics. Certainly several endemic species occur, also, on

Ruwenzori, although we do not know very much about the whirligig fauna of this area. In 1908,

the German Adolf Friedrich Expedition collected some material on the mountain and Alwarth

described two very interesting species of Orectogyrus (schubotzi and ruwenzoricus) from this

material.

The material collected by Mr. Fletcher is fairly small, and contains only some widespread

African species. Apparently the locality where the collecting was done was below the region of

the endemics. The specimens were collected on a very narrow muddy stream (almost stagnant)

flowing in the clearings made by the roadside in the Semliki Forest, at 2850 ft., 22-viii-3.ix.1952.

In this area endemics should be searched for in shaded fast-running streams and rivers with

clear water and gravel bottom, especially above 5000 ft.

The present material contains:

Aulonogyrus algoensis Régimbart. 17 specimens. A widespread tropical and subtropical African

species occurring from the eastern Cape to Sudan. It is almost eurytopic, living in rivers, streams,

lakes and pools. It does not penetrate into the central equatorial rain forest area.

Dineutus aereus Klug. 15 specimens. A very widespread African species occurring from the

eastern Cape to oases in Sahara and in Arabia. It has been found in all types of freshwater habitats

except fast-running stony stretches of rivers and streams (mountain torrents and similar biotopes).

It seems to be well adapted to desert and semi-desert conditions and is very abundant in open

country with more or less temporary aquatic habitats.

Orectogyrus pallidiventris Ochs f. typ. 22 specimens. An Eastern African species inhabiting the

rivers of the plains and the lower parts of the mountains. It has been recorded from Sudan and

southern Abyssinia, Uganda, Kenya Colony, Tanganyika, Belgian Congo, and Nyasaland.

(Records from Zambezi and Mozambique should be confirmed.) It was collected at Semliki

in March 1908 by the Adolf Friedrich Expedition.

*__(144) 21

Coleoptera

Mordellidae and Scraptiidae

(30th Contribution to the Knowledge of Mordellidae and Scraptiidae)

ByeNUARIO E> ERANCISCOLO, DSc., FRE.

Subfamilia MORDELLINAE (Fowler 1912) Franc. 1953

Tribus MORDELLINI (J. B. Smith 1882) Ermisch 1941

Genus Ophthalmoglipa Franc. 1952

Ophthalmoglipa aurocaudata Fairmaire

Mordella aurocaudata Fairmaire, Ann. Soc. Ent. France, 66, 1897, p. 145.

Glipa aurocaudata Fairmaire, Ann. Soc. Ent. Belg., 49, 1905, p. 128.

Glipa aurocaudata (Fairm.) Ermisch, Parc. Nat. Albert, Miss. G. F. De Witte, 1933-35, Fasc. 71,

1950, p. 425.

Glipa aurocaudata (Fairm.) Ermisch, Ann. Mus. Roy. Congo Belge, 22, 1952, pp. 19-20.

Ophthalmoglipa aurocaudata (Fairm.) Franciscolo, Doriana, I, No. 23, 1952, p. 2.

I 9, RUWENZORI RANGE: Semliki Forest, 2850 ft., 22.viii-3.ix.1952, leg. D. S. Fletcher.

This very large and fine species is widely distributed in aequatorial Africa; it is known from

Togo, Gabun (Fairmaire), Ashanti, St. Thomé and Prince Islands, Camerun, Congo, Uganda,

British East Africa, Haut Uélé, Ubangi (Ermisch and Franciscolo). Another specimen of this

species was taken in Semliki Valley, Buamoa Forest and already examined by me in the material

collected by S. A. Neave (British Museum Collections).

Tribus MORDELLISTENINI Ermisch 1941

Genus Mordellistena Costa 1854

Sub-genus Mordellistena s.str.

The following key includes only those species of African Mordellistena s.str. having the hind

tibial lateral ridges extremely long, running very obliquely with respect to the apical margin, the

upper of which is the longest and crosses the entire length of tibia, and in some instances reaches

the knee, and having generally a similar type of ridges on at least the 1st and 2nd hind tarsal

segments. For the species having short and weakly oblique lateral ridges on hind tibiae and tarsi,

24 Ruwenzori Expedition, 1952, Volume II

a key has been given in my work on Mordellidae and Scraptiidae of the Durban Museum (Durban

Museum Novitates, in course of printing), namely: wittei Pic, similaris Ermisch, simillima Francisc.,

problematica Francisc., monardi Pic, flavofrontalis Francisc., bevisi Francisc., fuscocastanea Ermisch,

schoutedeni Pic.

KEY TO AFRICAN SPECIES OF Mordellistena s.str. HAVING LATERAL RIDGES OF

HIND TIBIA LONG.

1 (2) Elytra exactly 3 times as long as their combined width at base. Head a little longer than wide (as

8:7). Vertex and pronotum reddish yellow, elytra black. Length 3-2 mm. Locality: Belgian Congo

(Congo da Lemba, Kunungo). M. (s.str.) maculaticeps Pic, 1931

2 (1) Elytra at most 2-7 times as long as their combined width at base. Head as wide or a little wider than

long. The upper surface of body may be uniformly black, or uniformly coloured, or, if bicoloured,

then the elytra also are coloured, at least on their apical third.

(6) First segment of hind tarsi bearing three oblique but relatively short lateral black ridges. Inner spur

of hind tibiae twice as long as the outer one. Underside of two different colours, generally the meta-

thorax and abdomen, excluding hypopygium, reddish-orange, the pygidium black.

4 (5) Pygidium twice as long as the hypopygium. Pronotum a little wider than long (as 11:9). Basal

angles of pronotum acute, angulate. Head and pronotum yellow-brown, elytra of a pale reddish-

yellow colour, underside orange-yellow, excluding the mesothorax, metepisterna and hypopygium

which are dark-brown, and pygidium black, with a paler brown band at base. Length 3-65 mm.

Locality: Belgian Congo (Mongbwalu). M. (s.str.) nigropectoralis Ermisch, 1952

(4) Pygidium four times as long as the hypopygium. Pronotum exactly as long as wide. Basal angles of

pronotum square, angulate. Head, pronotum and elytra castaneous-brown, underside with meta-

thorax and abdomen, excluding hypopygium, orange-red, the remaining parts blackish, pygidium

uniformly black. Length 3-8-4 mm. Locality: Parc National Albert, River Rwindi, Lake Edward,

Volcan Nyamuragira, Haut Uélé. M. (s.str.) nigropygidialis Ermisch, 1952

6 (3) First segment of hind tarsi bearing only two relatively short and very oblique lateral ridges. Inner

spur of hind tibiae at least 24 times as long as the outer one, but generally 3 times, in some instances,

4 times as long. Underside uniformly coloured, generally black, in some instances castaneous.

7 (16) Basal angles of pronotum acute, rounded or not at their vertices. The upper ridge of hind tibiae in

most instances (excluding, perhaps, M. flavifrons Erm.) does not reach the knee.

8 (15) At least two short oblique ridges on the second segment of hind tarsi. Elytra uniformly black.

4th segment of antennae as long as or longer than the 3rd. Last segment of labial palpi of normal

form, generally subovate.

9 (14) Head completely black, or with a short margin on clypeus of a clearer colour. Pronotum as long

as or shorter than wide at base.

10 (13) Ground pubescence of body uniformly grey-yellow, with no particular markings. Head black,

only the labrum yellow; vertex exactly as long as wide.

11 (12) 3rd segment of antennae a little shorter than the 2nd. 4th segment a little longer than the 3rd}.

segments 5-10 moderately dentate; 11th segment 14 times as long as the 1oth; pygidium 4 times as.

long as the hypopygium; hind legs dark reddish-brown. Length 2-6-3-0 mm. Locality: Ituri.

M. (s.str.) pygmaea Ermisch, 1952.

12 (11) 3rd segment of antennae a little longer than 2nd; 4th segment as long as the 3rd, a little thicker;

segments 5~10 linear; 11th as long as the roth; pygidium 2:5 times as long as the hypopygium; hind

legs piceous to dark-black. Length 3-5-4:15 mm. Locality: Katanga, Congo, Haut Uélé.

M. (s.str.) congoana Ermisch, 1952.

Coleoptera 25

13 (10) Ground pubescence of body dark greyish, bearing on elytra a basal fascia, a periscutellar zone and a

sutural line, and a transverse band at middle of elytra, and base of pygidium, of a silvery greyish

sheen. Head black, with clypeus having anterior margin yellow, a little wider than long (as rr: 10).

Length 3 mm. Locality: Parc National Albert, Haut Uélé. M. (s.str.) fasciolata Ermisch, 1952

14 (9) Head having a large part of the frons reddish yellow. Pronotum longer than wide (as 10:9). Length

2:9-3'4 mm. Locality: Parc National Albert, Udeko, Rwindi, Vitshumbi, Kamande.

M. (s.str.) flavifrons Ermisch, 1952

15 (8) Only one short oblique ridge on 2nd hind tarsal segment. Elytra black, with their apical sixth

reddish-yellow. 4th segment of antennae shorter than 3rd. Last segment of labial palpi squarish

(very unusual). Length 3-5 mm. Locality: Haut Uélé. M. (s.str.) Iuteoapicipennis Ermisch, 1952

16 (7) Basal angles of pronotum square or obtuse. The upper ridge of hind tibiae always reaches the knee.

17 (18) Pronotum a little longer than wide (as 10:9); basal angles of pronotum obtuse, and much sharpened

at their vertices. Length 2-8-3-4 mm. Locality: Parc National Albert.

M. (s.str.) nigrifrons Ermisch, 1950

18 (17) Pronotum always wider than long; basal angles square.

19 (20) All legs uniformly black; antennae entirely black; head completely black, including buccal parts;

; pygidium 13 times as long as the hypopygium; ground pubescence grey-brown; on elytra there is

a basal band, a sutural line and a periscutellar zone of silver-whitish pubescence. Length 3-9 mm.

Locality: Eala (Belgian Congo). M. (s.str.) senilis Ermisch, 1952

20 (19) At least the anterior legs coloured, either brown or reddish yellow; antennae reddish yellow at base,

brown or black for the remaining segments; pygidium at least 2 to 3 timesas long as the hypopygium.

Ground pubescence of a uniform colour with no markings or patterns.

21 (24) Body black, with the exception of some parts on head. Head shorter than wide. Hind legs uniformly

black.

22 (23) Head with a large area on frons and jaws yellow. Pygidium 3 times as long as the hypopygium;

anterior angles of pronotum rectangulate-rounded. Middle legs black, with the base of femora

yellow. Length 3-5 mm. Locality: Transvaal. M. (s.str.) swierstrai Francisc., 1954

23 (22) Head black, with only a brief margin on frons yellow; pygidium 4 times as long as the hypopygium.

Anterior angles of pronotum obtuse, narrowly rounded. Middle legs uniformly dark-brown.

Length 3 mm. Locality: Parc National Albert. M. (s.str.) corvina Ermisch, 1950

24 (21) Body uniformly castaneous, including the anterior part of head. Head as long as wide. Hind legs

uniformly castaneous-brown, with some cleared areas on tarsi. Length 3-2 mm. Locality: Ruwenzori

Range. M. (s.str.) fletcheri sp.n.

Mordellistena (s.str.) fletcheri sp.n.

t Q, holotype, labelled: ucanpDa, Ruwenzori Range, Nyinabitaba, 8650 ft., 7-13-vili.1952,

eos. S. Fletcher.

Length, mm.: head 0-55, pronotum 0°65, elytra 2-0, total 3-2; pygidium r:r.

Breadth, mm.: head 0-60, pronotum 0°85, elytra 0-85; pygidium 0:26.

Form rather narrow and elongate, strongly parallel-sided, moderately arcuate, normally convex.

Ground colour uniformly castaneous-brown, tending in some areas, especially on head and pro-

notum, to a darker brown; labial palpi pale yellow, maxillary palpi and base of antennae of a

slightly paler brown; legs of a pale reddish-brown, a little darker on femora; tarsi of all pairs

tending to orange yellow; ridges of hind tibiae and tarsi black.

Pubescence uniformly pale on all parts of body, with no particular markings or pattern, nor-

mally long and decumbent.

26 Ruwenzori Expedition, 1952, Volume II

Head almost equilateral, very dark castaneous-brown, with very feeble bronze sheen; the ratio

maximum length-maximum breadth is almost as 1:1. The hind margin forms a very wide and

continuous curve, and, seen from the occiput, it appears a little concave, with slightly accentuated

sinuosity at middle; the occipital margin runs continuously behind the eyes where it is extremely

thin, tempora being almost absent, and forms a very fine temporal edge at the insertion with the

jaws. Puncturation very fine, consisting of minute, isolated punctures, with interstices having

little impressed longitudinal shagreen.

Eyes subcircular, finely granulate and uniformly pubescent, quite reaching the occipital margin;

temporal edge only a little protruding; the eyes are very convex on their lower side.

Maxillary palpi pale brown, with 4th segment elongately securiform (9) and with no particular

patterns worthy of notice.

Antennae reddish-brown at base, black-brown for the remainder, reaching, when folded

backwards, the half of the pronotum; for the shape of the segments, see Figure 1.

Pronotum uniformly castaneous-brown with the basal margin very finely edged with a pale

reddish brown line, with some bronzy sheen under certain lights, wider than long (as 8:6);

anterior margin bearing a rather prominent median lobe, and with weak sinuosities on each side.

Sides of pronotum, seen from above, feebly arched and almost parallel, seen laterally almost

straight, with only a feeble convexity at their middle; the very fine margin beginning at sides of

the anterior lobe, continues round the anterior angles, where it thickens a little, and then con-=

tinues on sides up to the middle, where it disappears; anterior angles narrowly obtuse, apically

very widely rounded; basal angles rectangulate; basal lobe regular, complete at apex, not sinuated

at sides. Puncturation composed of sparsely but regularly distributed file-like impressions, with

interstices almost glossy, bearing only a vestige of transverse shagreen. Pubescence uniformly

pale, very thick and long.

Scutellum castaneous-brown, very small, exactly triangular, heavily file punctured and covered

by the same pubescence as the pronotum.

Elytra castaneous-brown, rather parallel-sided, densely and uniformly covered by long decum-

bent pubescence, 24 times as long as their combined width at base, normally convex; apices

abruptly and separately rounded; the file-like puncturation is rather spaced, each puncture is

normally impressed, and interspaces are rather superficially reticulate, with a pattern similar to

that found in the elytra of M. (s.str.) flavofrontalis Franc.: each file-like impression has a series of

small irregularly spreading rays, each of them uniting with rays from neighbouring impressions,

the whole giving the appearance of a net with oblong meshes. The pleural margin of elytra is very

sinuous, convex at shoulders and concave at middle. Epipleurae normally developed.

Underside dark castaneous, the margin of each abdominal sternite with a narrow yellow-brown

edge, covered by short and sparse pale pubescence, which is a little longer and thicker at sides

near the epipleural margin; the ground sculpture is normally of the file-like type, with traces of

transverse shagreen in the interstices. Metepisterna very narrow and elongate, at their anterior end

only 14 times as wide as the epipleurae at that level, the metasternal suture perfectly straight, and

the hind margin straight but lying obliquely.

Pygidium castaneous-brown, very long and slender, 3 times as long as the hypopygium, a little

curved downwards, extremely thin and acuminate, narrowly sulcate at base, densely covered by

black setae.

Coleoptera 27

Legs: the anterior legs are yellow-brown, with the tarsal segments a little more infuscate;

anterior tarsi with penultimate segment very narrow, and straightly truncate at apex; middle

legs reddish-brown, the tibiae bearing a very small apical spur; penultimate tarsal segment

straightly truncate at apex; hind legs with femora castaneous, a little paler than the abdomen,

tibiae clearer, tarsal segments almost reddish-brown; the tibiae bear a short subapical ridge,

parallel to the apical ridge, and two lateral ridges, the first short and oblique, the second extremely

long and oblique, running to near the knee but not quite reaching it; 1st and 2nd tarsal segments

with two short and oblique ridges; all ridges on hind legs black; spurs of hind tibiae yellow, the

inner spur half the length of the rst tarsal segment, and 3 times as the outer spur.

Tarsal ratios: front tarsi 7:4:3:3:5; middle tarsi 18:6:10:6:8; hind tarsi 24:14:10: 10.

Mordellistena (s.str.) similaris Ermisch, 1952

Mordellistena (s.str.) similaris Ermisch, Ann. Mus. Roy. Congo Belge, 22, 1952, pp. 73-74-

Ig: KILEMBE, 4500 ft.; UGANDA, Ruwenzori Range, xii.1934-1.1935, B.M. E. Afr. Exp.,

F, W. Edwards (B.M. 1935-203).

This species has been originally described from Haut Uélé, Moto and Watsa. This is the second

capture recorded.

Mordellistena (s.str.) schoutedeni (Pic, 1931) Ermisch, 1950

Mordellistena schoutedeni Pic, Rev. Zool. Bot. Afr., 21, 1931, p. 46.

Mordellistena (s.str.) schoutedeni (Pic 1931) Ermisch, Explor. du Parc Nat. Albert—Miss. G. F. de

Witte (1933-1935), fasc. 71, 1950, pp. 44-46.

I Q: KILEMBE, 4500 ft.; UGANDA, Ruwenzori Range, xii.1934-1.1935, B.M. E. Afr. Exp.,

F, W. Edwards (B.M. 1935-203).

It is one of the most common species in the highlands of Haut Uélé, Parc National Albert,

Uganda. It has never been recorded from Ruwenzori Range.

Subgenus Pseudomordellina Ermisch, 1952

As no key has been given yet to distinguish the Pseudomordellina occurring in Africa, I provide

one below which also will enable the placing of P. semlikiana sp.n. in relation to its closely allied

species.

KEY TO AFRICAN SPECIES OF Mordellistena suBGENUS Pseudomordellina Erm.

1 (8) Body of two different colours: generally, the difference affects the head and the body, in that the

head may be black, and the remaining parts reddish, or vice versa.

2 (7) Elytra 2:3-2°6 times as long as their combined width at base. The upper lateral ridge of the hind

tibiae reaches the knee. Anterior and middle legs pale yellow-brown, or dark brown. Head dark

reddish or dark brown. Spur of hind tibiae yellow.

3 (6) 4th segment of antennae longer than the 3rd. The single spur of hind tibiae is more than half the

length of the first hind tarsal segment. Length above 3-5 mm.

28 Ruwenzori Expedition, 1952, Volume II

4 (5) Body pale rust-red, head and pygidium darker; underside pale rust-red, with abdomen darker.

3rd segment of antennae three-fifths length of 2nd; 4th segment a little thicker and longer than 3rd;

segments 5-10 longer than 4th; 11th one and one half times as long as roth. Legs uniformly pale rust-

reddish. Elytra 2-3 times as long as combined width at base. The pubescence of the upper surface is

yellow, on head pale reddish-yellow. Length 3-9 mm. Locality: Haut Uélé.

M. (P.) piciventris Ermisch, 1952

5 (4) Body dark reddish-brown, head dark brown; underside uniformly piceous brown; 3rd segment of

antennae as long as 2nd; 4th segment one and one-half times as long as 3rd; much thicker than the

latter; segments 5—10 as long and as wide as 4th; 11th one-third longer than roth. Anterior and middle

tibiae reddish-brown, tarsi pale yellow. Elytra 24 times as long as combined width at base. Upper

surface covered by uniform pale yellow-greyish shining pubescence. Length 3-7 mm. Locality:

Natal. M. (P.) zululandiae Franciscolo, 1954

6 (3) 4th segment of antennae two-thirds length of 3rd. The single spur of hind tibiae exactly half length

of 1st tarsal segment. Head reddish-black, the remaining parts of body black. Length 2-4 mm.

Locality: Belgian Congo. M. (P.) luteicornis Ermisch, 1952

7 (2) Elytra three times as long as combined width at base; the upper lateral ridge of the hind tibiae does

not reach the knee, and terminates at about one-third of the tibial length from it. Anterior and

middle legs, and hind legs including also tibial spur, black. Head black, the remaining parts of body

reddish. Length 4-4 mm. Locality: Belgian Congo. M. (P.) atrocephala Ermisch, 1952

8 (1) Ground colour of body entirely uniform, either black, brown, or other colour.

9 (10) Ground colour of body uniformly pale castaneous, only along the suture of elytra a slightly paler

line. Upper lateral ridge of hind tibae not reaching the knee, but terminating a little before it,

reaching the lower side of tibia. Anterior angles of pronotum, seen laterally, definitely square, amply

rounded at vertex. Basal lobe of pronotum widely truncate. Pubescence of scutellum much brighter

than that of the rest of the upper surface. Length 3-7 mm. Locality: Semliki Valley.

M. (P.) semlikiana sp.n.

10 (9) Ground colour of body uniformly black. Upper lateral ridge of hind tibiae reaching the knee.

Anterior angles of pronotum distinctly or more or less widely obtuse, rounded at vertex. Basal lobe

of pronotum normally arched. Pubescence of scutellum of same brightness as the surrounding parts.

1 (14) Length less than 3 mm. Spurs of hind tibiae yellow. Antennae barely reaching the base of pronotum.

Legs not uniformly black. Antennae not uniformly black; their 4th segment as long as the 3rd.

2 (13) Ground pubescence of two colours: on head and pronotum sericeous yellow, on elytra dark;

elytra 2°7 times as long as combined width at base; pygidium two and one third times as long as

hypopygium; antennae uniformly yellow, gradually darkened towards the apex. Legs uniformly

dark-brown. Spur of hind tibiae two-thirds length of rst hind tarsal segment. Basal angles of pro-.

notum square. Head as long as wide. Length 2°35 mm. Locality: Belgian Congo (Rutshuru).

M. (P.) divergens Ermisch, 1952

13 (12) Ground pubescence of one colour (ash-grey); elytra 3 times as long as combined width at base;

pygidium 3 times as long as the hypopygium; antennae orange-yellow at base, and piceous brown

from the sth segment on; anterior legs yellow-brown, middle dark castaneous, posterior legs piceous

black. Spur of the hind tibiae half length of rst segment of hind tarsi. Basal angles of pronotum

moderately acute. Head longer than wide (as 12:11). Length 2:7 mm. Locality: Belgian Congo

(Rwindi). M. (P.) unispinosa Ermisch, 1950

14 (11) Spur of hind tibiae, antennae and all the legs, uniformly black. Antennae a little surpassing the

base of pronotum. 4th segment of antennae one and one-half times longer than ard Length

4°15-4°5 mm. Locality: Belgian Congo (Lukunga).

M. (P.) longipennis Ermisch, 1952

Coleoptera 29

Mordellistena (Pseudomordellina) semlikiana sp.n.

t 9, holotype, labelled: RUWENzORI RANGE, Semliki Forest, 2850 ft., 22.viii-3.ix.1952, leg.

D. S. Fletcher.

This new species has one unusual feature, amongst all the Pseudomordellina known to occur in

Africa (at present seven species are recorded with certainty in this subgenus), for it has the anterior

angles of pronotum exactly rectangular though rounded, whereas all other species have more or

less obtuse anterior angles; it falls in the group having the body uniformly coloured, either black

or otherwise, and amongst this group it will be easily recognized for it has the upper ridge, the

longest, of the hind tibiae, not reaching the knee, but stopping short of it at about a quarter of

the tibial length. This same feature, in the species having a bicoloured body, is met also in M.

(Pseud.) atrocephala Ermisch.

Length, mm.: head 0-60, pronotum 0-7, elytra 2-4, total 3-7; pygidium o°8.

Breadth, mm.: head 0-75, pronotum r-1, elytra 1; pygidium 0-20.

General form narrow, elongate, rather parallel-sided, normally arcuate, moderately narrowed

posteriorly. Ground colour uniformly brown, buccal parts yellow, a narrow line along the base of

pronotum of a paler brown colour, as well as a narrow sutural line on elytra; antennae pale

brown at base, the remainder darker; all legs uniformly dark yellow-brown. Spurs of hind tibiae

yellow. Ridges on hind tibiae and tarsi black. Pubescence uniformly pale, with some brighter

sheen along the suture and on scutellum.

Head with very weak metallic sheen, almost as long as wide, with the posterior margin, seen

from above, widely arched, with no protuberance on the occiput; seen from the occiput, almost

flat, with a small concavity at middle; puncturation fine, little impressed, spaced; interstices with

vestiges of a transverse strigosity. Pubescence pale, sparsely and regularly distributed.

Eyes suboval, not emarginate, finely granulated and regularly hairy; temporal margin reduced

to a narrow edge, which does not protrude at vertex; temporal angle obtuse, briefly rounded at

vertex.

Fic. 1. Mordellistena (s.str) fletcheri spn. Antenna

Fic. 2. Mordellistena (Pseudomordellinia) semlikiana sp.n. Antenna

Maxillary palpi yellow, with last segment darker, elongately securiform (9) ; its inner side shorter

than the outer.

30 Ruwenzori Expedition, 1952, Volume II

Antennae brown, clearer at base; folded backwards, they reach the base of pronotum; see

Figure 2.

Pronotum brown, with a narrow margin at base of a pale reddish brown, one and one-half times

as wide as long, rather parallel-sided, little convex; the ground sculpture is of the usual file-like

type, rather close but little impressed; the interstices are shagreened with a reticulated pattern.

Pubescence uniformly pale, short and closely distributed; anterior margin of pronotum normally

arched, bearing a narrow and prominent medial lobe; the margination of the anterior side is rather

wide at the level of front angles, and continues along the sides disappearing at about their middle;

anterior angles square, but rather widely rounded at vertex; sides, seen from above, almost

straight, seen laterally, amply concave; basal angles square, pointed at vertex; base strongly

bisinuate, bearing a large and prominent medial lobe, which is flat truncate at apex. Scutellum

triangular, brown, with shining pale pubescence.

Elytra brown, bearing along the suture a thin yellow-brown line, two and one-quarter times

as long as combined width at base; pubescence pale yellow, long, closely distributed, with a

brighter line along the suture, and another brighter line on shoulders which runs towards the

apex. Sculpture of the file type, with interstices obsoletely shagreened. Apices abruptly and sepa-

rately rounded. Sides, seen from above, very feebly convergent backwards, rather convex, seen

laterally, with moderate concavity at middle; epipleurae rather thin, almost obsolete at the level

of the posterior margin of metepisterna.

Metepisterna dark brown, one and one half times as wide at the anterior margin as the epipleurae

at their middle, with the metasternal side quite straight and the metacoxal side straight cut; they

are almost four times as long as wide anteriorly. Underside uniformly dark brown, only paler

along the apical margin of each urosternum, densely covered with pale whitish pubescence,

normally punctured and shagreened.

Pygidium of a much darker brown colour than other parts, clearer at base, slender, acuminate,

feebly arched downwards, briefly sulcate at sides in its basal fifth, two and one-half times as long

as the hypopygium, which is dark brown, regularly terminated at apex (9).

Legs uniformly yellow-brown, with apical spinulae and ridges on posterior tibiae and tarsi,

black; posterior tibiae with a very small and short preapical ridge, more or less parallel to the

apical margin, which is strongly oblique, a short and oblique lateral ridge and a second one which

is very long, crossing obliquely almost the entire length of tibia, and terminating about one-

quarter of the tibial length from the knee; the single yellow spur of hind tibiae is half the length

of the 1st tarsal segment; 1st and 2nd tarsal segments with two moderately long, extremely

oblique lateral ridges, on the 1st segment in its second half, and on the 2nd segment one near the

apex and the other near the insertion with the rst.

arsal ratios: §2423-225:> 15210282428; 22314212213.

Coleoptera

Cantharidae and Malachiidae

(1oth Contribution towards the Knowledge of African Malacodermata)

By W. WITTMER

(Herrliberg-Zurich)

CANTHARIDAE

Silidius ruwenzorensis var. hancocki Pic. Nyamelaju, 10,530 ft., 14-19.viil.1952, 3 specimens.

Silidius spec. 2 prope ruwenzorensis var. hancocki Pic. Nyinabitaba, 8650 ft., 7-13.vii.1952,

I specimen. Coloured like hancocki, abdomen completely black, including last segments. Antennal

joint 3 more than twice as long as joint 2, in hancocki joint 3 only slightly longer than 2. Pro-

thorax broader, sides more strongly narrowed towards base.

Silidius spec. 2 prope rufotestaceus Pic. Nyinabitaba, 8650 ft., 7-13.vii.1952, I specimen.

Silidius denominandus Pic. Nyinabitaba, 8650 ft., 7-13-vii.1952, I specimen 3.

Silidius spec. 9. Lamia Valley, 11,900 ft., 30-31.vii.1952, I specimen.

MALACHIIDAE

Apalochrus azureus Er. Bugoye, 4500 ft., 8.viii.1952, 3 specimens. Semliki Forest, 2850 ft., 22.viii.-

3.1X.1952, 2 specimens. Bundibugyo, 3440 ft., 22.vili.—3.ix.1952, I specimen.

Apalochrus patruelis Champ. Semliki Forest, 2850 ft., 22.vili-3.ix.1952, 5 specimens; Bundi-

bugyo, 3440 ft., 22.viii-3.ix.1952. This species was described by Champion from specimens

captured in the Belgian Congo. The material from the Ruwenzori has been compared with the

types in the British Museum and found identical, except the basal joints of the antennae which

are darker than in the type. No figures of the anterior and intermediate tibiae of the male having

been given by the author, I believe the following illustrations made from the Ruwenzori speci-

mens will help to recognize this species.

Ruwenzori Expedition, 1952, Volume II

Fic. 1. Apalochrus patruelis Champ. 3. Anterior tibia

Fic. 2. Apalochrus patruelis Champ. 3. Intermediate tibia

Coleoptera

Erotylidae

par A. VILLIERS

Subfam. Cladoxeninae ct Languriinae

La petite collection étudiée ici comporte 13 exemplaires, répartis en 8 espéces; elle ne représente

donc, sans aucun doute, qu’une trés faible partie de la faune des Languriinae et Cladoxeninae dont

la richesse est considérable dans les régions voisines similaires, notamment au Kivu. Outre l’espéce

nouvelle décrite plus loin, l’intérét de cette collection réside dans le fait qu’elle montre qu'un

certain nombre d’espéces étendent leur aire vers l Est, plus loin qu’on le pensait.

Subfam. CLADOXENINAE

Genre Microlanguria LE Wis

Microlanguria Lewis, 1883, Journ. Linn. Soc. Lond., zool., 17, 1883, p. 345.—VILLIERS, 1940, Rev.

Fr. Ent., T. 7, fasc. 3, p. 119 (synopsis).—VILLIERS, 1952, Explor. Parc Nat. Upemba, fasc. 15,

p- 40 (synopsis).

Microlanguria castanea (KRAATZ)

Platycladoxena castanea KRAATZ, 1899, Deutsche Ent. Zeit., p. 312.—Microlanguria castanea VILLIERS,

1940, loc. cit., p. 122.

UGANDA: Ruwenzori Range, Semliki Forest, 2850 ft., 22.vili-3.ix.1952, D. S. Fletcher,

4 exemplaires.

Espéce largement répandue: Céte d’Ivoire, Cameroun, Gabon, Congo frangais, Oubangui-

Chari, Congo belge.

Genre Penolanguria KOLBE

Penolanguria KOLBE, 1897, Kafer D. Ostafrica, p. 116.—VILLIERS, 1940, Rev. Fr. Ent., T. 7, fasc. 3,

p- 125 (synopsis).—VILLIERS, 1952. Explor. Parc. Nat. Upemba, fasc. 15, p. 38 (synopsis).

Penolanguria nigerrima KRAATZ

Penolanguria nigerrima KRAATZ, 1899. Deutsche Ent. Zeit., p. 315.—VILLIERS, 1940, loc. cit., p. 127.

Ruwenzori Expedition, 1952, Volume II

UGANDA: Ruwenzori Range, Kilembe, 4500 ft., xii.1934-1.1935, B.M. East Afr. Exp.,

F. W. Edwards, 1 exemplaire.

Espéce trés commune, se récoltant le plus souvent sur les fleurs et trés largement répandue du

Cameroun 4 |’Afrique orientale.

Genre Paracladoxena FOWLER

Paracladoxena FOWLER, 1886, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., p. 310.—VILLIERS, 1940, Rev. Fr. Ent., T. 7,

fasc. 3, p. 131 (synopsis).

Paracladoxena arrowi VILLIERS

Paracladoxena arrowi VILLIERS, 1940, loc. cit., p. 134.

UGANDA: Kigezi District, Mt. Sabinio, 7000 ft., 29.xi.1934, F. W. Edwards, 1 exemplaire.

Espéce connue jusqu’ici du Kivu, trés voisine de P. steelei ARRow du Mont Cameroun avec

lequel elle avait été confondue par ARROW.

Subfam. LANGURIINAE

Genre Stenolanguria FOWLER

Stenolanguria FOWLER, 1885, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., p. 387.—vituERs, 1945, L’Abeille, T. 37,

p- 37 (synopsis).

Stenolanguria tricolor FOWLER

Stenolanguria tricolor FOWLER, 1885, loc. cit., p. 388.—VILLIERS, 1945, loc. cit., p. 39.

UGANDA: Ruwenzori Range, Semliki Forest, 2850 ft., 22.viii-3.ix.1952, D. S. Fletcher,

r exemplaire.

Espéce commune, largement répandue: Nigeria, Cameroun, Oubangui-Chari, Gabon,

Guinée espagnole, Congo belge.

Stenolanguria gorhami FOWLER

Stenolanguria gorhami FOWLER, 1885, loc. cit., p. 388.—VILLIERS, 1945, loc. cit., p. 41.

UGANDA: Ruwenzori Range, Semliki Forest, 2850 ft., 22.viii-3.ix.1952, D. S. Fletcher,

2 exemplaires.

Espéce banale, trés répandue: Togo, Cameroun, Gabon, Guinée espagnole, Congo belge.

Genre Barbaropus GORHAM

Barbaropus GORHAM, 1887, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 360.—viLutERs, 1945, L’Abeille, T. 37, p. 44

(synopsis).—VILLIERS, 1952, Explor. Parc Nat. Upemba, fasc. 15, p. 17 (synopsis).

Barbaropus dubius (rFowLER)

Languria dubia FowLER, 1885, Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond., p. 385.—Barbaropus dubius VILLIERS, 1945,

lochcii ap aass:

Coleoptera 35

UGANDA: Ruwenzori Range, Semliki Forest, 2850 ft., 22.viii-3.ix.1952, D. S. Fletcher,

rt exemplaire de petite taille (8 mm.).

Genre Anadastus GORHAM

Anadastus GORHAM, 1887, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 362.—VvILLIERS, 1945, L’Abeille, T. 37, p. 58

(synopsis).—VILLIERS, 19$2, Explor. Parc Nat. Upemba, fasc., 15, p. 33 (synopsis).

Anadastus edwardsi sp.n. (Figure 1)

UGANDA: Kigezi District, Kanaba Gap, 7500 ft., F. W. Edwards, 1 seul exemplaire, en trés

mauvais état (antennes mutilées) ‘taken in Engleromyces goetzei growing on Bamboo’.

Holotype au British Museum (Natural History).

Long. 5,25 mm.—Téte et pronotum brun rouge. Scutellum noir. Elytres brun fauve, la suture

légérement assombrie derriére l’écusson, mais sans macule nette. Pattes noires. Face ventrale noir

de poix, le dessous du prothorax et de la téte rougeatres.

Téte assez large, faiblement convexe, finement, éparsement mais réguliérement ponctuée.

Yeux assez petits; espace interoculaire cinq fois aussi large qu'un ceil vu de dessus.

Pronotum convexe, beaucoup plus finement mais plus densément ponctué que la téte, de peu

plus large que long (70-67), sa plus grande largeur un peu en avant, cétés fortement convergents

et bisinués en arriére. Angles antérieurs arrondis et effacés, angles postérieurs subaigus. Base

fortement sinuée et lobée en arriére devant le scutellum. Fovéoles basales fortement marquées,

assez longues, étroites, légérement arquées.

Scutellum transverse, concave, finement microréticulé, imponctué.

Elytres assez courts, fortement convexes, fortement déprimés en avant, subparalléles, tronqués

a apex, assez fortement mais peu profondément sériés-ponctués.

Dans le tableu synoptique des espéces que j'ai publié en 1952 (loc. cit., p. 33), A. edwardsi vient

se ranger avec A. jeanneli vitt1ERS. Les deux espéces se distingueront & l'aide du tableau suivant

Fic. 1. Anadastus edwardsi, sp.n., holotype, avant-corps.

36 Ruwenzori Expedition, 1952, Volume II

A. edwardsi sp.n.

1. Téte et pronotum brun rouge, élytres roux

fauve.

2. Pronotum fortement convexe de peu plus

large que long (1,04-1).

3. Scutellum noir.

4. Longueur: 5,25 mm.

A. jeanneli VILLIERS

1. Téte et pronotum flaves comme les élytres.

2. Pronotum médiocrement convexe un peu

plus large que long (1,10-1).

3. Scutellum flave.

4. Longueur: 7 mm.

Genre Caenolanguria GORHAM

Caenolanguria GORHAM, 1887, Proc. Zool. Lond., p. 361.—VvILLiERS, 1945, L’Abeille, T. 37, p. 225

(synopsis).—VILLIERS, 1952, Explor. Parc Nat. Upemba, fasc. 15, p. 37 (synopsis).

Caenolanguria burgeoni vILLiErs

Caenolanguria burgeoni VILLIERS, 1942, Explor. Parc Nat. Albert, fasc. 36, p. 16 et 17.

UGANDA: Ruwenzori Range, Semliki Forest, 2850 ft., 22.viii-3.ix.1952, D. S. Fletcher,

2 exemplaires.

Espéce connue seulement jusqu’ici, du Congo belge (Kivu et Ruanda).

Diptera

Culicidae Subfamily Dixinae, Anisopodidae and

Ptychopteridae

By PAUL FREEMAN

Representatives of these three groups were collected by the British Museum East African

Expedition 1934-5 but none were taken by the Second Expedition in 1952. This account is

included in the second series of Reports for administrative reasons as explained in the Introduction.

The material taken by Dr. Edwards is very rich and has added greatly to our knowledge of each

of these groups.

Culicidae Subfamily Dixinae

The British Museum East African Expedition 1934-5 collected 28 specimens belonging to two

_ species of this little collected group, increasing the African material in the Museum to over 70

specimens. A revision of the African species of the subfamily has been prepared and has been

published elsewhere (Freeman, 1956).

Dixa camerounensis Alexander

Dixa (Paradixa) camerounensis Alexander, 1926, Insec. Inscit. Menstr., 14:11.

This is the palest of the African species, in many specimens the thorax is yellow with the stripes

only slightly darker; the ‘cord’ or line of cross-veins is more transverse than in other species.

RUWENZORI RANGE: Kilembe, 4500 ft., 2 ¢; Namwamba Valley, 6500 ft., 1 3.

Dixa claripennis Séguy

Dixa claripennis Séguy, 1938, Miss. scient. Omo, 4:322.

A much darker species than camerounensis, mesonotal stripes dark brown, thoracic pleura dark

and usually with two narrow pale bands.

KENYA: Aberdare Range, Mt. Kinangop, 8000-10,000 ft., 4 dg, 3 Q, x.1934; Mt. Elgon,

Kapretwa, 6500 ft., 1 2; Mt. Elgon, Forest Zone, 8000 ft., 1 5, 1 2: Mt. Elgon, Heath Zone,

10,000-11,000 ft., 10 ¢, 2 9. UGANDA: Ruwenzori Range, Bwamba Pass (west side), 5500-

7500 ft., 1 gf, 22.

38 Ruwenzori Expedition, 1952, Volume II

Anisopodidae

The described species of the family Anisopodidae include four species of Anisopus, five of

Olbiogaster and three of Mesochria from Africa south of the Sahara (Ethiopian Zoogeographical

Region). The collection made by the East African Expedition 1934-5 contains 25 specimens of

Anisopus and, taken in conjunction with other material in the British Museum has enabled me

to synonymize two of the known African species.

Anisopus annulicornis Edwards

Anisopus annulicornis Edwards, 1928, Gen. Insect. fasc., 190: 16.

Anisopus dibaphus Edwards, 1934, Ann. Mag. nat. Hist. (10), 14:324 (syn. nov.).

When describing dibaphus, Edwards remarked that it was closely related to annulicornis but

could be distinguished by the slightly darker antennal segments 2-3, the presence of a round

brown spot on the front coxa, the presence of a yellow subterminal ring on the hind femur of the

male, the less hairy wings and by small (unspecified) hypopygial differences. The British Museum

(Nat. Hist.) now contains nearly 80 specimens which show all these characters in various

combinations.

Segments 2-3 of the antennae vary from almost yellow to black; the front coxae may be yellow,

partially brown, with a round brown spot, or completely brown; the male hind femur may

have a clear yellow ring, or a ring distinguishable with difficulty or the ring may be quite absent;

the hairiness of the wing membrane is variable. The hypopygium is equally variable in style

shape but not so variable in the shape of the spiny plates at the base of the aedeagus. Specimens

with styles resembling those of the type series of annulicornis may have the colour of dibaphus, and

specimens with styles like the holotype of dibaphus may, in some or all other respects, resemble

annulicornis. From an examination of species from other Zoogeographical Regions it appears

that the best genital characters are to be found in the structure of the supporting plates at the

base of the aedeagus; these plates lie between the styles and were probably not examined by

Edwards because the Museum collection contains no mounts of the hypopygia of this species

made by him. The only possible conclusion is that there is a single species and not two.

The holotype male and paratypes of dibaphus are in the British Museum; the holotype female

of annulicornis is in the Berlin Museum, but paratypes including a male are in the British Museum.

Distribution. CAMEROONS: Buea and Johann-Albrechtshohe, paratypes of annulicornis; Mt.

Cameroon, Onyanga, 8100 ft., 1 2, 24.1.1932 (M. Steele). sho THOME: type series of dibaphus.

BELGIAN CONGO: Ruanda Urundi, Mubinga, 1 9 (J. Walkiers). UGANDA: Kampala, 3 J, 2 9,

vili.1939 (H. Hargreaves); Fort Portal, 1 9, ix.1933 (H. Hargreaves); Kalinzu Forest, 3 3, 1 2

(T. H. E. Jackson); Kigezi Distr., Mt. Sabinio, 11,000 ft., 1 2, xi.1934 (F. W. Edwards); Ruwen-

zori Range, xii.1934-1.1935: Mpanga Forest, 4000 ft. 1 g, 4 2; Kilembe, 4500 ft., 2 g, 1 9;

Namwamba Valley, 6500 ft., 2 g, 62; Mobuku Valley, 7300 ft., 1 3; Mr. Karangora, 8000-9000

ft., 1d (all coll. F. W. Edwards). KENYA: Chyulu Hills, 10 3, 19 Q, vi.1938 bred ex Conophyringia

(V. G. L. van Someren); Kisii, 1 9 (Symes and Hopkins); Aberdare Range, Thompson’s Falls,

7500 ft., 1 9, x.1934 (F. W. Edwards); Mt. Elgon, Forest Zone, 8500 ft., J, 1 Q, 11.1934 (F. W.

Edwards). TANGANYIKA: holotype of annulicornis. s. RHODESIA: Umtali Distr., Vumba Mts.,

Ptychopteride 39

I g, 29, ili.1938, ex decaying fruit of Conophyringia (A. Cuthbertson). CAPE PROVINCE: Katberg,

4000 ft., 1 , 1.1933 (R. E. Turner).

Ptychopteridae

Nine species of Ptychopteridae, all in the genus Ptychoptera, have been described from the main-

land of Africa south of the Sahara. Alexander (1956:79) refers to a species, P. matongoensis

Alexander, of which I have been unable to trace the original description but I understand from

Professor Alexander that it is in the press and he has been kind enough to lend me a copy of

the description. So far as I have been able to discover, all were described from single specimens,

four of the nine from males and five from females. The main differences used in the separation of

the species have been colour and small venational characters; the hypopygium has been figured

only for P. basilewskyi Alexander, although some description without figures has been made of

this part for P. camerounensis Alexander and schoutedeni Alexander.

The species of the genus Ptychoptera are very uniform in appearance and are often variable in

venational and colour characters. The only reliable specific characters lie in the structure of the

male hypopygium and it is desirable for this to be figured or at any rate described in any descrip-

tion of a new species: it is unfortunate that so few have been described for the African species.

However, F. W. Edwards collected 12 specimens whilst on the British Museum Expedition to

East Africa, including both sexes, that is, more specimens than have previously been known of

all nine definite species together, which has helped greatly in the recognition of the species.

Six of Edwards’s specimens can be placed easily into P. africana Alexander and they agree well

with the holotype in colour and pattern; the males also have enabled me to recognize P. schoutedeni

as a synonym from the description given of the male hypopygium of that species. The other six

which again include both sexes and were all collected in the same locality, show colour variation

which proves that there are fewer species in the African fauna than was previously thought; I

am placing these specimens under P. welensis Alexander. The final result has been to reduce the

number of known African species to four. P. matongoensis, again based on females, may prove to

be a valid species, and I am offering a key to these five including details of the male hypopygia

where known.

Ptychoptera africana Alexander (Figure 1a)

Ptychoptera africana Alexander, 1920, Entomologist, $3: 101-2.

Ptychoptera schoutedeni Alexander, 1956, Bull. Brooklyn ent. Soc., 51: 76 (syn. nov.).

A distinctive species, body largely shining black, head and thoracic tergum with metallic

reflections, pleura yellow; abdomen with segment 1 yellow basally, 2 either mostly yellow on

basal half or with a yellow ring in basal half, 3 yellow on basal half, female with ovipositor and

tip of abdomen yellow, male with hypopygium partially yellowish. Wings with narrow brown

stripe along costa, apex broadly brown, cord with a brown stripe, base of wing with a brown

spot; wing markings clear-cut and not appearing to be variable.

The male hypopygium (Figure 1a) is characteristic: cerci straight, tapering and pointed at the

tip, rather polished at the apex, styles with a short upper arm carrying strong bristles and a

longer lower spatulate arm, medially with a broad pad as shown; IXth sternite strongly produced

40 Ruwenzori Expedition, 1952, Volume II

ventrally, two-lobed below and with paired capitate processes laterally carrying dense brushes of

fine hairs.

I am treating schoutedeni as a synonym because the only difference lies in the paler colour of

parts of the thorax, the styles and cerci as described by Alexander being exactly similar to those

of Edwards’s specimens. In the holotype of africana there is some indication of paleness on some

of these parts giving additional evidence that this is not sufficient for specific separation. In the

original description schoutedeni is not compared with africana which is the species it most closely

resembles but with hopkinsi which is a synonym of the next species.

P. matongoensis Alexander appears from the manuscript description which Professor Alexander

has lent me, to be closely allied, but as only females are known little can be added until males

are available.

The holotype female of africana is in the British Museum (Nat. Hist.).

Distribution. NrGERIA: Ilesha, holotype. UGANDA: Ruwenzori Range, Kilembe, 4500 ft.,

4d, xii.1934-1.1935 (F. W. Edwards); Budongo Forest, 1 3, 1 9, ii.1935 (F. W. Edwards). The type

locality of schoutedeni is BELGIAN CONGO: Volcan Karissimbi.

Ptychoptera uelensis Alexander (Figure 1b)

Ptychoptera uelensis Alexander, 1928, Rev. Zool. Bot. afr., 16:25.

Ptychoptera hopkinsi Edwards, 1932, Stylops, 1:99 (syn. nov.).

Liriope ghesquierei Collart, 1935, Bull. Mus. R. Hist. nat. Belge, 11, no. 3:1 (syn. nov.).

Ptychoptera basilewskyi Alexander, 1955, Rev. Zool. Bot. afr., 36:267 (syn. nov.).

Ptychoptera stuckenbergi Alexander, 1955, Bull. Brooklyn ent. Soc., 51:78 (syn. nov.).

There are six specimens of this species in Dr. Edwards’s material, five being dark in colour with

metallic blue thoraces. The colour and wing pattern of these five agree well with the description

Fic 1. Male hypopygia of Ptychoptera in lateral aspect. (a) P. africana; (b) P. uelensis.

Ptychopteridee AI

of uelensis and I have no hesitation in identifying them as this species. Some of them have the pale

lacunae in the wing markings described by Collart in ghesquierei and there is also some variation

in the length of the cross-vein r; the length of the petiole of Ry ,3; and Ry, 5 is too variable to be

of value as a specific character and the same applies to the palp colour. For these reasons I am

considering ghesquierei to be a synonym of telensis.

In the description of basilewskyi, Alexander separated it from welensis and ghesquierei by colour

and venational characters. The type is a male, whereas those of the other two are females; in the

male the abdomen is normally paler and with more yellow markings. The hypopygium as figured

by Alexander is similar to that of Edwards’s specimens and in other ways it is obvious that they

belong to the same species.

The sixth specimen collected by Edwards is a male, structurally identical with the others and

collected in the same locality, but the thorax is orange with the scutellum and two large spots

behind the shoulders black, also the abdomen has yellow on segments 1, 2, 3 and 4. This is clearly

the opposite sex of the specimen described as hopkinsi which, as it is structurally identical with

uelensis, | am regarding only as a colour variety. The thorax of the male has a metallic glint and

it is possible that the specimen was captured before it had developed its full colours. P. stuckenbergi

was described from a single female with mainly orange thorax marked with black on the praes-

cutum and parascutella; the wing markings are similar to ghesquierei. Unfortunately Alexander

does not compare the holotype with hopkinsi, but the differences between the two in body colour

are so slight that there is no difficulty in recognizing stuckenbergi as yet another specimen of this

pale form and placing it as a synonym of welensis.

P. uelensis may readily be distinguished from P. africana by the structure of the male hypo-

pygium (Figure 1b); the cerci are long, downcurved and with a slight swelling near the tip; the

styles are three-branched and quite different in appearance from Beane aN TXth sternite is

much less produced ventrally and the lateral lobes bear about twelve long stout black bristles;

the aedeagus is also quite different. Other differences lie in the more poorly developed wing

pattern and the thoracic pleura which are black in most specimens (not in the pale hopkinsi form).

Distribution. UGANDA: Fort Portal, holotype female of hopkinsi; Ruwenzori Range, Kilembe,

4500 ft., 3 d, 3 Q, xii.1934-1.1935 (F. W. Edwards). The type locality of welensis is BELGIAN

CONGO: Haut Uele, Yebo Moto; of ghesquierei BELGIAN CONGO: Eala; of basilewskyi URUNDI:

Bururi; of stuckenbergi s. RHODESIA: Rhodes-Inyanga National Park.

KEY TO SPECIES OF Ptychoptera MEIGEN FROM AFRICA SOUTH OF THE SAHARA,

EXCLUDING MALAGASY SUBREGION

1. Thorax entirely orange, without any dark markings; abdomen, at least of male, yellowish orange with

a mid-dorsal brownish black line (South Africa)* . : . . : capensis Alexander, 1917

Thorax either mostly black or metallic blue-black, or orange with black spots dorsally; abdomen darker,

yellow markings as rings. : : : ee

2. Thoracic pleura yellow, notum Biles wings a clear-cut dark markings, including costal margin,

entire apex, cord and a basal spot, male hypopygium as in Figure a .

africana Alexander, 1920 and a oanS Misenticy m.s.

Thoracic pleura usually at least partially blackish, but if orange then notum not entirely black; wing

markings more indistinct, costal margin brownish yellow, apex often smoky or almost clear, cord usu Hie:

with fairly distinct cross band : . é , : : : : : : 2g

2—(144)

42 Ruwenzori Expedition, 1952, Volume II

3. Abdomen orange, segments 1-5 ringed at apices with brownish black (female not known); styles of male

hypopygium elongate, cylindrical, slightly curved, tips blackened, basally with small tooth on inner face

(Cameroons; copied from original description) : : . _ camerounensis Alexander, 1921

Abdomen darker, blackish in most specimens, males with yellow on segments 2 and 3, females with

yellow ring on segment 2 and yellow at apex; pale specimens may have segments 1-4 mostly yellow

in male; styles three-branched (Figure b), not blackened at tip of longest arm __uelensis Alexander, 1928

* T have been able to borrow the male holotype through the courtesy of Dr. Hesse of the South African Museum and

find that the cerci are broken but that the styles are present and quite different from those of the other species. Each

style is short, blunt and armed with short spines at the apex ; there is a broad, inner, rounded branch at the base armed

with short spines along the posterior border ; the styles most closely resemble those of the Palaearctic species P. albimana

Fabricius.

References

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