Proteaphila pajori Davies, Miller & Muller 2012, sp. n.

Proteaphila pajori Davies, Miller & Muller, sp. n.

Figs 4B, 5B, 5D, 7, 10, 13

Etymology: Patronym for Istvan Pajor, who, as a postgraduate student of the University of KwaZulu-Natal researching the insect fauna associated with Protea species, collected the holotype of this species, along with many other specimens of Proteaphila.

Diagnosis: Proteaphila pajori is a grey fly with many brown spots (especially on the thorax) and intricately patterned wings. There is a complex pattern of vittae on the scutum, which gives a striped appearance. There are 1+3 dc, but presutural dorsocentral bristle is weak, short and not particularly bristle-like, although it is clearly differentiated from the setulae preceding and following it.

Description:

Measurements: head length: ♀ (n = 1) = 1.1, ♂ (n = 3) = 1.1 (1.1–1.2); thorax length: ♀ = 2.5, ♂ = 2.3 (2.2–2.4); abdomen length: ♀ = 2.5, ♂ (n=1) = 1.9; wing length: ♀ = 5.5, ♂ = 5.3 (5.0–5.5).

Head (Figs 4B, 7B, 7D): Frons nearly horizontal, slightly angled relative to scutum. Frons longer than wide (1.2:1). Fronto-orbital bristles reclinate, rather short (posterior fronto-orbital bristle ca 0.6× length of inner vertical seta), of similar length and fairly widely spaced (distance between bristles equal to distance between posterior dorsocentral bristle and inner vertical seta); setula between the fronto-orbital bristles. Cluster of tiny setulae (ca 20) distad of anterior fronto-orbital bristle. Ocellar bristle strong, slightly disclinate, extending to ¾ length of frons. Outer vertical seta disclinate, only slightly shorter than inner vertical seta. Two postocular rows of setulae. Setulae under decussate postocellar bristles. Two brownish vittae on frons, first vitta beginning at inner vertical seta and fading out towards anterior margin of frons, second diffuse brown vitta extending from anterior edge of eye, fading out on anterior edge of frons; both vittae becoming orange-tinged anteriorly. Anterior edge of frons truncate. Ocellar triangle black-brown, coloration extending posteriorly under postocellar bristles, sides slightly longer than base. Dense cluster of setulae on ocellar triangle, extending posteriorly under postocellar bristles. The latter decussate, intersection high. Short, black vitta runs from medial edge of eye to base of antenna. Scape hidden in lateral view, pedicel simple, saucer-like, postpedicel somewhat bulbous. Scape to postpedicel orange. Arista micropubescent (appears almost devoid of setulae when viewed at low magnification). Eye longer than high (longitudinally elongate). In lateral view, frons projecting beyond anterior edge of eye (postfrontal projection). Face recessed, heavily covered in fine silver pruinescence, diffuse, paired, blackish spots on lower face. Gena covered in silver pruinescence. Gena and lower occiput with many setulae. Maxillary palpus orange-yellow.

Thorax (Fig. 7C): Colour of sclerites brown, overlaid with grey-silver pruinescence. Scutum with light grey pruinescent medial vitta, brown non-pruinescent submedial vitta, grey pruinescent dorsocentral vitta (with irregular brown blotches), brown presutural vita and grey lateral notopleural vitta. Alveoli of grey medial stripe encircled by brown dots. Chaetotaxy: Acrostichal setulae quadriseriate, inner row with alveoli slightly jagged, outer row of setulae irregular; 1+3 dc, first bristle anterior to transverse suture weak, short and inconspicuous (only 0.3× length of posteriormost dorsocentral bristle); sublateral band of irregularly deployed setulae; 1 postpronotal bristle, 2 notopleural bristles, 1 presutural and 1 postsutural supra-alar bristle (+1 setula), 2 postalar bristles (lower bristle longer). Scutellum with thin grey medial vitta, brown submedial vitta and grey lateral vitta, posterior marginal bristles not decussate. Pleura brown, covered in silver-grey pruinosity, except edges of anepisternum; 1 anepisternal bristle, surrounded by setulae; brown spots encircling alveoli; 2 katepisternal bristles.

Legs: Procoxa pale yellow, with light silver pruinescence. Profemur yellow-brown anteriorly, with silver pruinosity; brown posteriorly, with silver pruinescence. Protibia yellow, with apical dark brown band. Protarsomere 1 yellow, remaining tarsomeres progressively darker. Mesocoxa yellow-brown, with some silver pruinescence. Mesofemur yellow, darker distally. Remainder of midleg yellow-brown. Metacoxa brownish, covered in silver pruinosity. Metafemur yellow, with purple-silver sheen. Metatibia yellow, darkened proximally and apically.

Wings (Figs 5B, 5D): Wing pattern complex, with basal costal, pterostigma and most radial cells infuscated anteriorly. Remainder of wing with very light infuscation pockmarked by white spots.

Abdomen: Tergites predominantly yellow, but each darkened apically. Laterally, with dark silver pruinescence and setal alveoli encircled by brown dots.

Male terminalia (Fig. 10): Protandrium broader (longer) laterally than dorsally, not entire (ventral portion absent). Epandrium broader laterally. Surstylus fairly large, with apex truncated, somewhat elongated posteroventrally and then inwards as short, inconspicuous finger.Aedeagus very large and protruding, with strongly recurved apex pointing almost anteriorly.

Female terminalia (Fig. 13): Abdominal segments narrowing from T5 onwards. Segment 7 is a syntergosternite. Cerci fairly long, flattened, setulose. S8 with a truncated apex, appearing very much similar to that of maculosa in structure.

Holotype: ♂ SOUTH AFRICA: KwaZulu-Natal: Cathedral Peak, Mike’s Pass [28°58'S 29°14'E], 1710 m, 30.viii.1988, I. Pajor (NMSA, Type no. 2286).

Paratypes: SOUTH AFRICA: KwaZulu-Natal: 1♂ Royal Natal National Park [28°41'38"S 28°55'40"E], 11.ix.1963, 1580 m, B. & P. Stuckenberg (NMSA); 1♂ Royal Natal National Park, Vemvaan River Valley, 28°43'S 28°56'E, 1.ix.1992, 1800 m, D. Barraclough & A. Whittington (NMSA); 1♀ Cathedral Peak, Mike’s Pass, 9.viii.1988, 1710 m, I. Pajor (NMSA); 1♀ Cathedral Peak, Tarn Hill [28°58'S 29°13'E], 11.ix.1988, I. Pajor (NMSA).

Distribution: Restricted to the Drakensberg Mountains above 1500 m.

Ecological notes: Three specimens have been collected from Protea roupelliae Meisn., although a male from the Royal Natal National Park, KwaZulu-Natal, was taken ‘from montane forest’. Specimens have only been collected in August and September, although this is probably a sampling artifact as only five specimens are known.