Revision of the endemic Australian robber fly genus Daptolestes Hull, 1962 (Diptera: Asilidae) and description of Humorolethalis gen. nov.

Abstract

Daptolestes Hull, 1962 is a small genus of distinctive, ornate robber flies (Asilidae) endemic to Australia, currently placed in the subfamily Brachyrhopalinae, containing three described species, D. limbipennis, D. nicholsoni and D. sergius. Adults of Daptolestes species (except D. sergius) have patterned wings, brown and yellow integumental colour and a waisted abdomen and could be mistaken for vespid wasps when foraging for insect prey on flowers. Here, we present a phylogeny based on a morphological survey of adult specimens. Based on the phylogenetic results, we provide a description and revised diagnosis for Daptolestes and describe four new species: D. leei Robinson & Yeates, sp. nov. D. bronteflavus Robinson & Yeates, sp. nov. D. feminategus Robinson & Yeates, sp. nov. and D. illusiolautus Robinson & Yeates, sp. nov. We also erect a new genus, Humorolethalis Robinson, Li & Yeates, gen. nov. to accommodate Dasypogon sergius Walker [=Daptolestes sergius (Walker)]. For all species of both genera, we illustrate external features of the adults and male and female terminalia. Key to all Daptolestes species. Show more