Gonioscelis congoensis Oldroyd 1970

Figs 33–35, 144

Gonioscelis congoensis Oldroyd, 1970: 277–278 (Fig. 50a ơ gen.).

Redescription: Based on holotype ơ (MRAC).

Head: Antenna dark red-brown to black, setae dark brown. Facial swelling silver-gold pruinose, poorly developed, mystax uniform pale yellow. Frons and vertex strongly gold pruinose. Ocellar tubercle black, weakly gold pruinose, with dark red-brown to black oc. Occiput entirely silver-gold pruinose, setae pale yellow. Proboscis and palpus dark red-brown to black with yellow setae except for those on second palpal segment that are brown.

Thorax: Dark red-brown to black, uniformly gold pruinose. Postpronotal lobes brownorange, clearly contrasting with adjacent mesonotum, and with long yellow setae. Mesonotal setae yellow: ac not evident; approx. 5 pairs dc, a few extending anterior of transverse suture; 2 npl; 2–3 sa; 3 pa. Scutellum black, silver-gold pruinose with 4 yellow mrg sct. Wing length 7.6 mm, membrane mostly pale brown. Legs mostly brownorange with yellow setae (except for dark red-brown ones on prothoracic spur and tarsi), trochanters orange-brown, femora darker dorsally, fore femur dark red-brown basally, but orange ventrally (i.e. area of spur), tibiae and tarsi brown-yellow. Prothoracic coxa black, silver-gold pruinose, white-yellow setose; femoral spur moderately pointed (angle approx. 40°).

Abdomen: Tergites mostly dark red-brown, mostly silver pruinose, yellow setose. Sternites similar to tergites.

Terminalia (Figs 33–35): Long ep (lobes projecting well beyond proctiger), lobes tapering distally in lateral aspect, each with a group of 3–4 well-developed medially-directed macrosetae distally; gcx with two projections and a single macroseta distally and a somewhat projecting ventrodistal flange; hyp, in ventral view, slightly longer than broad, tapering to two moderately separated terminal lobes each bearing a small group of macrosetae.

Variation: I am unable to assess this as I have studied only the holotype.

Type material (only holotype seen): DR CONGO (Lulua): 1ơ holotype, ‘ Coll. Mus. Congo / Luluabourg [05°54'S 22°25'E], 21.v.1939 / J. J. Deheyn’ (MRAC). 1ơ paratype, Luluabourg, 18.v.1912, P. Callewaert (MRAC); 1^ paratype, Wombali [03°16'S 17°20'E], vi.1913, P. Vanderijst (MRAC); 1^ paratype, Manyema [? Maniema – 01°11'S 28°37'E], R. Mayné (MRAC); 1^ paratype, Bolobo [02°10'S 16°14'E], Makamandulu, 1938, Dr Schouteden (MRAC).

Type locality: Democratic Republic of the Congo: Luluabourg.

Other material: DR CONGO: 1^, ‘ Near Lualaba R., [09°43'S 28°39'E] / Katanga District, / Congo Free State: / between 9° & 10°S. Lat. / Jan. 1907. / Dr.A. Yale Massey. / 1907-126.’ (BMNH).

Notes: The holotype is not in perfect condition, the thorax is damaged and the right mesothoracic leg is missing. The head is also cracked in the dorsal region of the right eye. The legs are bunched up making complete examination difficult. In the absence of male specimens the ‘Near Lualaba’ female can only be assigned provisionally to this species.

Recorded material not studied: I have not seen any paratypes and query identification of the female specimens in the absence of associated males.

Distribution, phenology and biology (Tables 1–2, Fig. 144): Only five specimens, from four localities in the DR Congo are recorded, collected in May and June (late summer in a tropical environment).

Similar species:A member of the large and widely distributed group of species possessing a poorly defined facial gibbosity. The species resembles other species possessing an elongate hypandrium, but is otherwise distinctive.