38s
From the Proceed,ings ol the Lt'nnean Soci,ety ol New Soutlt' Wales,
Vol. lin, Parts 3-4, 1934.

NOTES ON THE

AUSTRALIAN SPECIES OF MOLOPHIIJUS
ITIPULIDAE, DIPTERA]. II.

By Crr;rnr,nsP. Arnxrxnrtr, Amherst, I\{assachusetts.
(Contribution from, tlte Entotnological Luboratory, MassacltusettsState Coll,ege.)(Cotttntunicatecl,ltU I. lll. trIackerras, M.8., Clt,.M.)(Te.rt-flgures1-12.)lRead 2?th June, 1934.]

The preceding Iraper undel this general title appealed in this iournal in 1929
(Pnoc. Lrnn. Soc. N.S.W.,54, 137-L44). It consideredeleven speciesof this vast
genus that .w'eredescribeclby Shuse in 1889. The present report considet'stwelve
further members of the gl'oup, the majority being t.aken by my good friend andco-worker on the Tipulidae, N{r'. F. Elasmus Wilson, in New South Wales,
Victoria and Tasmania, the types being preservecl in the Wilson Collection. A
smaller number flonr the Dolrigo of northern New South Wales wet'e taken by
Mr. William Helon, who has collectednumel'ous TiDulidae in this vet'y interestingregion. These specimensale retainerl in nr)' own collect.ion.
llot-ot,ttil,t's

t . ' t ' s l t r ) l r ^ \tls , l l . s l ) .

s ;e n e t ' a lc o l o r a t i o n d a r k
B e l o n g st o t h e p l u g i u t u s g l ' o u p ; a l l i e t l t o l r t n l J i t ' o r r t i .g
plumbeous grey; antennae of J elongate, the segments fusifolm; wings greyish,
the veins conspicuous, nal'l'owly seamed with dusky; terminalia of J with theapical beak of basistyle blackened but ilregular in outline; basal dististyle ablack, nearly straight rod, r'elatively stout, the outel thircl gradually nat't'owed toa spinous point; phallosomic structule a pale, oval, setttliferous eushion.
3. Length about 3'5 mm.; wing 4 mm.; antenna about 4 ntttr.
Rostrum and fralpi dark brown. Antennae of J blaclt thloughottt, sotuewhat
longer than the entilc borly; flagellar segments frrsifolnt, the apical nat'rowed
portion longer and nrole slenrlel than lhe basal. Ileacl rlarl< bt'ownish-grey.
Mesonotunrclarli lrlunrbeousgr'€l',withotrt stripes. Plettt'adalk grey. Halterespale, the knobs rveakly clarkenerl. Legs rvith the coxae yellowish testaceous;
trochantet's yellow; t'entainder of legs broken. Wings greyish, the veinsconspicuous, pale bLown, narrowly seanred with dusky. Venation: R, lying ashort distance beyond level of r'-m; m-cu about one-third the petiole of cell M';
vein 2nd A relatively sltot't, euding some distance befot'e m-cu.
Abdomen black thloughout. I\Iale hypopygium (Text-fig. 1) with the apicalbeak of basistyle (oD) blackened and ilregular in outline, not forming a smooth
structure as usual in the gl'oup. Outer dististyle @a'1 with the outer arm
truncated and microscopically toothed at apex. Basal dististyle (bd) a black,nearly straight to slightly alcuate rod of moderate stoutness, on distal third
gradually narrowed into a spinous point; surface of style with a few microscopic
punctures. Phallosomic structure (p) a pale oval cushion, clothed with delicate
setulae.

180

AUSTRALIANSPEOII;8 OF MOLOPEII,UB.

II'

Ilob.-New South Wales.
HototApe, J, Dorrigo, Eastern Dorrigo, altitude about 2,000feet, 12th February'
1933(W. Heron).
Motophil,usfusiformis is amply distinct flom ill. longicornis Skuse, in thegeneral dark grey coloration and details of stluctut'e of the male tet'minalia,
especially the apical beak of basistyle and the conformation of the basal dististyle.
The flagellar segments are mole fusiform than in sevet'al other allied membersof the plagiatus group.
n. sp.
Motot'Iltr,us p.\RVrsERRlrus,
Belongs to the plagiatus group; allied to Tterdistinctus;general coloration ofthorax pale brownish-yellow; antennae of J nearly as long as body, the flagellar
segments fusiform; J terminalia with the phallosome appearing as a conspicuous
blackened lyriform plate, the inner margins of the al'ms mict'oscopically sert'ate.
6. Length about 4-4'5 mm.; wing 4'8-5'5 mm.; antenna about 4-4'2 mm.
Rostrum yellowish-brown; palpi brown. Antennae of J elongate, nearly as
long as the body; scape and rredicel yellowish-brown; flagellum brownish-black;flagellar segments elongate-fusiform, with long outspreading verticils on theswellings. Head brownish-gl'ey.
Thorax almost uniformly pale blownish-yellow, the dorsum a trifle darker.
Halteres dusky, the base of stem pale yellow. Legs with the coxae andtrochanters yellowish testaceous; remaindel of legs yellow, the colout' mol'e orless obscured by dark setae; outer tarsal segments more uniformly darkened;
fore tibiae of J not darkened subbasally. Wings gleyish; veins pale brown;
macrotrichia darker brown. Venation: R, lying slightly distad of level of r-m;
petiole of cell M, relatively long, exceeding thlee times m-cu; vein 2nd A long,ending shortly beyond m-cu.
Abdomen dark brown, the terminalia blownish-yellow. J terminalia (TextffS. 2) with the beak of ventlal lobe ('u*lt) of basistyle slender but heavily
blackened. Outer dististyle (od) bifid, the outel'arm larger and more flattened.
Basal dististyle (b(I) sholtel than outer', slender, a little sinuous at outer end
and here provided with small tubercles. Phallosome (p) conspicuous,appearing
as a blackened lyriform plate, the al'ms nalrowed into slender, acute, gently
incurved spines, the inner margins of these al'ms with small acute teeth.
I/ob.-Tasmania.
Hototype, J, National Park, 11th-15th January, 1933 (f. E. Wilson). Pura'
topotype,S; paru,ty1tes,{,I\{ount Wellington, 10th Janualy, 1933 (F.E. Wilson).
Motoplti,tusTtaraiserratusis most nearly allied to IlI. perdistittcftts Alexander
Alexander, being readily told from all other described
and IW. rl,i,sti,ttctissi,m.us
genus
by the structure of the phallosome of the male hypopygium.
species of theThiS more resembles in conformation the corresponding organ in M. I'yratus
Alexander and allies, which, however',fall in a different group (gracilis, ru,fr'col,lis
subgroup) of the genus. In the present collection, the species tsas associated innature with a group of other Molophili, several of which likewise had elongate
antennae in the male sex ( including M, il,upl,en Alexander, M. paraistAlus
Alexander, M. peril,istinctu,sAlexander, M. aariistylus Alexander, and others).
Moloprrrr,us rERNATus,n. sP.
Bclongs to the plagiatus group; allied to bucerus; general coloration of entire
body pale yellow; male terminalia with the axis of basal dististyle terminating
in a stout acute spine that is subtended by two more slender spines.

BY C. P. ALEXANDER.

181

J. Length about 3.2-3'4 mm.; wing 4-4.2 mm. Q. Length about 4 mm.; wing
4'5 mm.
Body, including head, thorax, abdomen, legs, and wings, entirely light yellow;
palpi dark brown; outen segments of antennae weakly darkened; eyes black.
Antennae of J of moderate length, if bent backward extending about to baseof halteres; verticils long and conspicuous. Darkened ring on fore tibia of J
pale and relatively inconspicuous. Wings with the veins pale yellow. Venation:
R, lying just distad of level of r-m; vein 2nd A ending shortly beyond origin of

W
a

I

'p

Text-figs. 1-6.-Maleterminalia.
l, trIolophiltts ftcsifor?rr.is,n. sp.; 2, fu[. paraiserrotus, n. sp. i 3. M. ternottts,
n . s p . ; 4 , l t . n t e g u c o t t t l t ? . sn, . s D . ; 5 , I I . t b ' e p q t t o s t g l u , sn, . s p . ; 6 , M . t e t r a c a n t h t t s ,n. sI). (Syrnbols: o. aedeagus; b, basistyle; Dd, basal dististl'le; db, dorsal
lobe of basistyle; id, inner distist)'le; ntb, mesal lobe of basistyle; od, outerdististyle; p, phallosome; ob, ventral lobe of basistl'le.)petiole of cell Mr. I\{ale hypopygium (Text-flg.3) with the beak of the ventral
lobe (ab) of basistyle relatively slender. Basal dististyle (bd) stouter than inbucerus, the axis terminating in a stout spine that is subtended by two more
slender spines.
Hab.-Ylctoria.
Holotype, J, Beech Forest, Turton's Pass, Otway Peninsula, 11th-19th January,1932 (F''.E. Wilson). Allotopotaq€, ?, pinned with type. Paratopotypes,4 6,9.
The trispinous apex of the basal dististyle of the male terminalia readily
separates this fly from the allied Molophilus bucerus Alexander (Victoria).
Mor.opgrr.ug MEoAcANTEUS,n. sp.
felongs to the gracitis group and subgroup; general coloration dark grey,
including the scutellum, the latter sometimes a trifle brightened; knobs of halteres

L82

AUSTRALI.\N

BPECIES OF MOLOPIIILUS'

l1'

dark or only vaguely brightened; wings with a blackish suftusion; male terminalia
with the dorsal lobe of basistyle an unusually short and stout black spine; ventral
produced
tobe a slender club; outer dististyle a nearly straight rod, at apextlaterad into an acute black spine.
Length about 5 mm.;
J. Length about 3.5-3.8 mm.; wing 4'2-4'6 mm. t.
wing 4.8-5 mm.
Rostrum greyish-black; palpi black. Antennae black throughout, in 3 ofmoderate length, if bent backward extending nearly to the root of wings; flagellar
segments long-oval, with long outspreading setae and verticils on the basal flve or
six segments that slightly exceed the segments in length. Head dark grey.
Anterior lateral pretergites restrictedly light yellow. Mesonotal praescutum
dark brown, grey on sides; posterior sclerites of mesonotum, including thescutellum, dalk grey; in cases, the scutellum slightly brightened. Pleura dark
plumbeous grey. Halteres dark brown, the extreme base of stem yellow; incases, the knobs vaguely brightened. Legs with the coxae dark grey; trochanterstestaceous brown; remaintler of legs brownish-black; the usual subbasal ringon fore tibia of J is lacking or scarcely evident. Wings relatively narrow, witha blackish suffusion; stigma and vague clouds along cord and some of thelongitudinal veins darker; macrotrichia dark; veins dark brown. Venation:
R, in alignment with r-m; petiole of cell M, variable, in cases unusually long,exceeding vein M. and fully flve times as long as m-cu; in other cases only about
three times m-cu; vein 2nd A ending shortly beyond m-cu.
Abdomen, including terminalia, brownish-black. Male terminalia (Text-fl8. 4)
with the basistyle (b) short and stout; dorsal lobe (db) unusually stout,
terminating in a broad flattened black spine; mesal lobe extended into a small,flnger-like setiferous lobule; ventral lobe (ub) slender, as in tenuiclaaus andallied forms. Outer dististyle (od) a straight to gently curved rod, at apex
produced laterad into a long blackened spine; apex of style at insertion of theterminal spine in cases with white membranous tissue; in type, lacking this whitemembrane and procluced into a few microscopic spinulae. Inner dististyle (id)subequal in length, appearing as a flattened scoop-like blade. Aedeagus (a)relatively short, the apex slender', the basal portion subtended by wide flanges.
I/ob.-New South Wales.
HolotApe, J, Wentworth Falls, Blue i\Its., altitude 2,840feet, 20th-30th October,
1930 (F. E. Wilson) . All\tctpotype, l. Paratopotllpes, L 6, L J; paratypes, L l,
1 !, Blackheath, Blue Mts., altitude 3,495 feet, 20th-30th October, 1930 (F. E.
Wilson).
Molophitus nlegacanthtts is well distinguished from all other members of thegracitis subgroup by the details of the male terminalia, including the unusuallybroad spine of the dorsal lobe of basistyle and other details of the organ.
n. sp.
Mor,oprrrlus DREPANosrYLus,
Belongs to the gracilis group and subgroup; allied to setulistylus; generalcoloration dark brownish-gr€y, the scutellum obscure yellow; male terminalia
with the ventral lobe of basistyle small; outer dististyle a strongly curved sickleshaped rod; inner dististyle with abundant microscopic setulae.
J. Length about 4-4'2 mm.; wing 5-5'2 mm.
Rostrum and palpi black. Antennae of moderate length, if bent backward
extending about to wing-r'oot, brown throughout. Head chiefly greyish'brown, thefront and orbits nal'rowly yellowish.

BY C. P. ALEXANDER.

Pronotum and mesonotum dark brownish-grey, variegated by the yellow
anterior lateral pretergites and the obscure yellow scutellum. Pleura darkgreyish-brown. Halteres light yellow. Legs with the fore coxae dark brown, theremaining coxae somewhat paler; trochanters yellow; remainder of legs chiefly
dark brown, the femoral bases obscure yellow; tibial enlargement of J present.
Wings with a faint brownish tinge, the veins a little darker; trichia dark brown.
Venation: R, lying some distance beyond level of r-m, Rr*, being from two tonearly three times R.*o; petiole of cell M, varying. from one-half longer to nearly
twice m-cu; vein 2nd A ending about opposite midlength m-cu.
Abdomen, including terminalia, dark brown. Male terminalia (Text-flg. 5)
with the dorsal spine (d,b) ot basistyle long and slender, gently curved; ventral
lobe of basistyle slender but much smaller than in aequistylus, setul,istAlus or
tenuiclauus. Outer dististyle (od) a strongly curved rod that is roughly sickleshaped, the tip acute, the surface with a ferv scattered punctures. Innerdististyle (id) of nearly the same length, relatively slender, the surface, except
at base and apex, with microscopic setulae.
f/oD.-New South Wales.
Holotype, J, Dorrigo, East Dorrigo, altitude about 2,000feet, 12th April, 1931
(W. Heron). ParatopotApe,6,20th April, 1931.
The nearest ally of the present species is Molophilus setulistylus Alexander,
which has the ventral lobe of basistyle much larger, being longer than thedorsal spine; the shapes of the dististyles are similarly distinct.
n. sp.
Mor-opurr,usTETR.AcANTrrus,
Belongs to the gracilis group and subgroup; size small (wing about 3.5 mm.);mesonotum chiefly yellowish, the pleura and mediotergite more plumbeous; legs
chiefly pale; fore tibiae (d) without differentiated basal ring; male terminalia
without spines on any lobes of basistyle; both dististyles bifid, the outer withvery long branches.
6. Length about 2.5-2.6 mm.; wing 3.4-3.5 mm.
Rostrum brown; palpi black. Antennae of 3 short, testaceous brown;
flagellar verticils long. Head brownish-grey.
Mesonotum almost uniform reddish-yellow, the postnotal mediotergite moreplumbeous. Pleura plumbeous to someu'hat more testaceous. Halteres with thestem testaceous,the knobs light 1'ello*-. Legs u'ith the coxae and trochanters
yellowish-testaceous; remainder of legs ehiefly pale, the outer tarsal segments
more darkened; trichia of legs dark; no modified annulus on fore tibia (d).
Wings faintly greyish subhyaline, the prearcular and costal portions somewhat
more luteous; veins pale, macrotrichia slightly darker. Venation: R, opposite
or just beyond level of r-m; petiole of cell M, from two to two and one-half times
m-cu; vein 2nd A ending about opposite one-fourth the length of the petiole ofcell Mr.
Abdomen dark brown, the terminalia obscure yellow. Male terminalia (Textfis. 6) with the dorsal lobe (rtb) of basistyle weakly developedand obtuse at apex;
ventral lobe (oD) of moderate size, with the usual retrorse setae of the group;
mesal lobe (mb1 very extensive, with delicate setulae. Both dististyles heavily
blackened, the outer style (od) with two very long spines, the axial spine gently
curved, the lateral spine straight and somewhat more powerful, leaving the axis
at about a right angle at near two-thirds the length of the style; inner dististyle(id,) long and slender, narrowed to a long apical spine, at near two-thirds the184

AUBTRALTAN spEcrtls ot' MoLoPHrLus.

ii,

length bearing a small acute lateral spine; surface of inner style with about
flfteen microscopic Punctures.
Hab.-Yictoria.
Holotupe, J, Mount Donna Buang, above Warburton, altitude 3,000-4,000feet,
April, 1931 (F. E. Wilson) . Paratopotype, {. Paratltttc, 1 J, Mount Dandenong,
24th January, 1931 (F. E. Wilson).
Mototthilus tetracantluns has no close described relatives in the Australianfauna. It approaches species such as M. aphanta Alexander and M' forceps
Alexander, yet is very different in the details of structure of the male terminalia.
Mor,opurr,us DoBRrc'tNUg'n. sP.
Belongs to the gracilis group, ru,ficollis subgroup; most nearly allied toaariist1lus and macleayanas; antennae of J a little longer than the body, strongly
nodulose; knobs of halteres darkened; male terminalia with the basal dististylea strongly curved blackened hook from a dilated base, without a basal tail'likeextension, as is the case in aariistyltts.
J. Length about 3'2 mm.; wing 4 mm.; antenna about 3'5 mm.
Rostrum and palpi light brown. Antennae of J elongate, slightly exceeding
the body in length, black throughout; flagellar segments strongly nodulose,
rounded-fusiform, the apical necks slender. Head brown.
Thorax light brown, the dorsopleural region somewhat darker. Halteres pale,the knobs dark brown. Legs with the coxae and trochanters testaceous; remainderof legs broken. Wings greyish-subhyaline; veins pale; macrotrichia long, brown.
Venation: R, in alignment with r-m; petiole of cell M, exceeding twice m-cu;
vein 2nd A relatively short, ending some distance before m'cu.
Abdomen, including terminalia, dark brown. Male terminalia (Text'flg. ?)(oil)with the ventral lobe (ab) of basistyle obtuse at apex. Outer dististyleslender, sinuous, near apex splitting into two short blackened arms. Basal
dististyle fta1 with a flattened base that narro'rtrs into a long slender curved
black spine, with a few setae at point of curvature; no pale tail-like extension
at base, as is the case in .,,^ariistytus. Phallosome (p) broadly ovate, the apex
narrowed, the surface glabrous.
I/oD.-New South Wales.
Holotgpe, 3, Dorrigo, East Dorrigo, altitude 2,300 feet, 20th March, 1931
( W. Heron ) .
Molophilus d,orriganus is most closely allied to M. macleayanas Alexander(New South Wales, Victoria) and.M. aarii.stytus Alexander (Tasmania), agreelng
in the elongate nodulose antennae of the male, differing in the structure of themale terminalia.
Motopurr,us PrcroR'n. sP.
Belongs to the gracilis group, ruficottis subgrottp; most nearly allied topermutatus; mesothorax chiefly obscure ol'ange, contrasting with the dark greyhead and black abdomen; antennae short in both sexes; knobs of halteres lightyellow; legs black; wings with a strong blackish tinge, the prearcular region
abrupgy yellow; male terminalia with the basal dististyle appearing as a slender,
gently curved spine, the outer face a little roughened.
mm';
J. Length about 4.3-4.5 mm.; wing 5'2-5'5 mm. t. Length about 5'5
wing 6-6'2 mm.
Rostrum light brown; palpi black. Antennae short in both sexes, black
throughout; flagellar segments sub-oval, the ends of the more basal ones trun-BY C. P. ALEXANDEII.

185

cated; verticils exceeding the segments. Head dark gley, the anterior vertex
more bufiy-grey.
Pronotum obscure orange, slightly infuscated on sides; anterior lateral pretergites light yellow. Mesonotum dull orange. Pleura obscure orange, very
sparsely variegated with brown on the sternopleurite and meral region, theanepisternum and propleura more extensively darkened; dorsopleural region
dusky. Halteres with base of stem yellow, the remainder of stem dusky, theknobs light yellow. Legs with the coxae brownish-yellow, the fore coxae darker;
trochanters yellow; remainder of legs black. Wings with a strong blackish tinge,
the prearcular region abruptly yellow; veins conspicuous,brownish-black, brighter
at wing-base. Venation! Rr*rn. nearly twice the basal section of Ro; petiole ofcell M, about one-third longer than m-cu; vein 2nd A relatively long, ending
about opposite, or in cases, to opposite one-third the length of the petiole ofeell Mr.
Abdomen black, terminalia dark brown. Genital segment of female obscureorange; valves of ovipositor very long and slender, gently upcurved. Maleterminalia (Text-fiS. 8) of the general structure of im,mutatus and, permutatusi
mesal lobe (zzD) of basistyle not produced into a spine, as is the case in immutatus.
Outer dististyle (od) long and slender, the apex a slender curved hook. Basal
dististyle (bd') more slender than in permutatus, appearing as a gently eurved
black spine, the outer surface microscopically roughened. Phallosomic structure(p), with the lateral spines simple, the crown broad, with numerous setae.
Hab.-Yictoria.
HolotApe, d, Warburton, on and near lock faces at river level, altitude 500
feet, April, 1931 (F. E. Wilson). Allotopotype, ?. ParatoTtotypes,
L 6, 2 ?.
The only closely allied species are Illolopltiltts intmutatus Alexander and
M. permutatus Alexander',both likewise from Victoria. The former species differs
notably in the coloration and in the structure of the male terminalia, especiallythe long conspicuous spine on the mesal lobe of the basistyle and the lateralspine on the basal dististyle. M. permutatus is much smaller, almost entirely
black, including the thorax, and with the details of the terminalia distinct,
especially the stouter basal dististyle and the weakly bidentate lateral spinesof the phallosome.
l\{oroprrrr,t-sl(Eor.}-R.\r't.-s,
n. sp.
Belongs to the gracilis group, rufic'ollissubgloup; allied to lyratus; generalcoloration of mesonotum light reddish-brown, the pleura darker brown; legs
brownish-black; wings yellowish, the veins slightly dalker; male terminalia withthe basal dististyle a simple, gently curved rod, narrowed to an acute blackened
point, at apex with a few long setae; arms of the lyriform phallosomic structuresmooth.
3. Length about 5.2 mm.; wing 5.8 mm.
Rostrum brown, palrri black. Antennae of J brown, of modelate length, if
bent backward extending about to the wing-r'oot; flagellar segments long-oval, theverticils exceeding the segments. Head light buffy-brown.
Mesonotum liSht reddish-brown,
Lateral pretergites restrictedly whitish.
darker medially. Pleura
restrictedly
mediotergite
without distinct markings;
slightly darker brown than the notum; posterior edge of pteropleurite with agroup of conspicuous setae. Halteres pale, the knobs obscure yellow. Legs withthe coxae yellowish testaceous; trochantels obscure yellow: remainder of legs

186

lusrItALIAN

sl>E('rES ol' Mot'oPrrll,us'ii'

mol'e blackish' subbasal
brownish-black; fore tibia of J with a stightly enlarged,
darker yellow;
ring. Wings broad, the ground-colour yellowish; veins slightly
Venation: R, lying
macrotrichia dark brown, the costal fringe conspicuous.
two times m'cu; veinslighily beyond r-m; petiole of cell M, & little less thanlength of the petiole
2nd A elongate, extending to about opposite one-third theof cell M'.
(TextAbdomen brown, the terminalia more yellowish' Male terminalia
terminating on
ffg. g) with the ventral lobe of basistyle (ob) relatively slender,(od) bifid'
mesal face in a small blunt lobe directed cephalad. outer dististylearm black, gently
the lateral arm stout and straight, the shorter inner or mesal
gently curved rod' gradually
curved, its tip obtuse. Basal dististyle (btl) a simple,
expanded but not
narrowed to the acute blackened tip, at extleme base a little
on inner facebearing a spine, as is the case in lyratus; iust before apex of styleas in sublAratus'
a few long setae; style slender', without a lateral flange,
long and slender'
Phallosomic structure (p) lylifot'm, as in the subgroup; alms
entirely smooth.
Ilob.-New South Wales.
October'
Holotype, J, Wentwolth Falls, Blue Mts., altitude 2,840feet, 20th-30th
1930 (F. E. Wilson).
(Tasmania) in the
M olophiltts n'eolYratus diffels from ily'. lllrutus Alexander
and from
very different structure of the basal dististyle of the male terminalia,of thearms
M, subl'Uratus Alexander (Victoria) in the smooth, untoothed
phallosomic structure.
n. sP'
Mot opslr-us EQUrsETosus,
thoraxBelongs to the gracitis group, ruficoltis subgroup; genet'al coloration ofof J
reddish-blown, the praescutum only vaguely lined with dalher; antennae'w'ith the outet' dististyle a simple blackened
elongate,nodulose; male telminalia
thencehorn; basal dististyle a long slenclersinuous t'otl, tlilated on basal fourth'
of
more
ot'
scol'earvithnarrowed into a slender spine, at point of narrorving
phallosome a blackened
long setae that resemble to some degree a holse's tail;depressed plate that bears spines and protuberances'
about 4 mm. i. Length
J. Length about 5 mm.; wing 6 x 1.8 mm.; antenna
about 5'5 mm.; wing 6'5 mm.
by theRostrum brown; palpi darker. Antennae of J elongate, as shownbroadest on
measurements, dark brown throughout; flagellar segments fusiform,
Head darkbasal halt, narrowed to tips, with conspicuous outspreading setae'
brown.
of a darker
Mesonotum reddish-brown, the praescutum with vague indications
darker inmedian vitta. Pleula reddish-brown, the dorsal region not or scarcely
yellow,theobscurecolour. Halteres yellow basally, the knobs broken. Legs
trichia
greyish-brown;
outer tar.sal segments dar.ker.. Wings broad, tinged withand conspicuous'abundant, dark blown; veins pale brown. Costal fringe long
twice m-cu; vein
Venation: R, lying beyond level of r-m; petiole of cell M, about
petiole of cell M''
2nd A long, extending to near one-third the length of thethe apex of
Abdomen dark brown. Male terminalia (Text-fig' 10) withcoarse setae'
ventral lobe (ub) of basistyle relatively narrow' rvith numerous(bd) a long
Outer dististyle (o(I) a small simple blackened horn. Basal dististylelevel
extremetheslender spine, in a position of rest extending caudad beyond
sinuous andof the basistyle; basal fourth mol'e expanded, thence suddenlyBY C. P. ALEXANDER,.

18?

narrowed into the very long, neat'ly straight, apical spine; at point of narrowing,a Sroup (exceeding a scol'e) of long reddish setae, somewhat suggesting ahorse's tail, these setae exceeding in length one-half the length of the terminal
spine. Phallosome (p) a blackened depressed plate, near outer end on either

,.,#M
ll
Text-figs. 7-l!.-f,Ialeterrninalia.
7, Molophiltt,s d.ott'ig(rli(s, lt. sl).; b, .11. pictor. n. sp.; g, )t. neolyratus,
n . s p . i L 0 , M . e q r u i s e f o s r r sn, . s l ) . ; 1 1 , J 1 . e x t c n s i c o r ni s , n . s l t . ; 1 2 , 1 1 . t r i f a s c i o latu,s, n. sp. (Symbols: o. aedeagus; D. basistyle; bd.. basal dististyle; ibil,
inner basal dististyle; ntb, mesal lobe of basistyle; obd, outer basal dististyle;p h a l l o s o m e ; / , t e r g i t e ; ' u - b ,v e n t r a l l o b e o f l t a s i s t y l e . )orl, outer dististyle;p,side produced latelad into an acute spine; the median area of plate extends
fut'ther caudad into a straight black rod, at apex terminating in two blackened
spines that lie in a straight angle to one another.
Ilob.-New South Wales.
Holotype, J, lfount Victoria, Blue IIts., altitude 3,425feet, 20th-30th October,
1 9 3 0 ( F . E . W i l s o n ) . A l l o t o p r t t y p e ,? , 1 3 t h N o v e m b e r ' ,1 g B 3 ( V . C . R e t f o r d ) .
ParatopotUDe,3, 12th Novenrber.,1933 (\'. C. Retford).
The nearest allies of this renrarkable slrecies are llolopltiltts tasioceroicles
Alexander and M. wilsotti Alexander', both of which have elongate antennae inthe male sex, and with a variously modified blackened phallosome, but in allother respects are entirely different flies. The present species and, M. witsoni
are the largest members of this particular. subgroup of the genus.
Molopltrr,us l:xTn\srconNrs,n. sp.
Belongs to the gracilis group, ruficollis subgroup; allied to wilsoni; antennaeof J approximately as long as body, the flagellar segments not nodulose; wings
greY, without brown sufrusion; male terminalia with inner arm of outerdististyle bearing a blackened tooth before apex; basal dististyle shorter than the

188

AUsrRALr.{N gPEcIEg oF MotoPHrl.t;s'ii,

in an acute blackouter, appearing as a strongly curved rod that terminates
spine.
S,LengthaboutSmm.;wing6'5mm';antennaabout4'8mm'asRostrum and palpi dark brown. Antennae of J elongate, approximately
elongate-cylindrical'
long as the body, dark brown throughout; flagellar segments
not nodulose, with long, outspreading setae' Head dark brown'
longThorax almost uniformly dark brown; setae of praescutal interspaces
and trochantersand eonspicuous. Halteres clusky. Legs with the coxae
producedby dark setae'
testaceous; remainder of legs brown, the colour chiefly
dark brown'
wings tingetl with grey, the veins slightly darker; macrotrichia
Venation:PetioleofcellMrrelativelyshort,abouttwicem-cu'(TextAbdomen, including the terminalia, dark brown. l\Iale terminalia
obtusethetoflS. 11) with the ventral lobe (oD) of basistyle elongate' narrowed(od) bifld'
tip, the mesal face with long, very delicate setae. Outer dististyle
expanded at tip;
the two arms long and divet'gent, the outer longer, a little(bd)
inner arm with an erect blackened tooth before apex. Basal dististyleaninshorter than the outer, appearing as a strongly curved rod that terminates
especially on
acute black spine; outer half of style with abundant delicate setae,
narrowedlateral face and sut't'ounding the apical spine. Phallosome (p) black'less in pairs,
at apex into a group of four black spines that are arranged more or
and not
the apical pair lying about in a line with the axis of the structure
section,divergent. Ninth tergite (9t) lalge tind eonspicuous,as in this restrictedprofoundly emarginate, the lobes with coarse black setae.
Hab.-Yictoria.
Hol,otape,J, Yarram, south Gippsland, 2nd July, 1933 (F. E. Wilson).
to
Molopltil,us ertensicornis is similar in general appearance and slze
the nearest
M. wilsoml Alexander (victoria) which may be considered as being
the basal
especiallyally. The structure of the styli of the male terminalia,of thisdististyle, readily distinguishes the species. The various members
differing
greatlylengthened,section of the subgroup have the male antennae
the simple
from the other species of the genus in the Australian fauna by
those oft'esemble
muchcylindrical flagellar. segments of tlte antennae, which
the genus Tasiocera.
n. sp.
Mor,opnrr,t-srRIFAscroL-{TUS,
Belongs to the peraagatus group; mesonotum light lerldish-blown, the mediopaling to reddish'tergite and dorsal pleurites blackened,the ventral sternopleurite
conspicuously
butnat'rowly
brown; halteres yellow; femora yellow, the tips
as more or
blackened; wings cream-yellow, with three grey areas that appear
a simpledististyle
outer
the
less comBlete crossbands; male terminalia withstructure, the apex narrow and obtuse; both dististyles acute at aBices.
mm'
3. Length about 3'8-4 mm.; wing 4'6-4'8
with scape yellow, the pedicel
Antennae
palpibrownish-black.
Rostrum andyellowish-brown; flagellum dark brown, with long verticils that much exceed
the segments. Head obscure yellow, the centre of the vertex extensively brownish'
grey.
Anterior lateralpronotum obscure yellow above, dark brown laterally.
praescutum
and scutum light reddish
pretergites light sulphur-yellow. Mesonotal
front;or reddish-brown, the former a little darker medially, especially inscutellum obscure yellow, the parascutella darker; mediotergite brownish'black,BY C. P. ALEXANDER.

189

more reddish-brown laterally. Pleura brownish-black to plumbeous, the ventral
sternopleurite and dorsal meral region paling to reddish-brown; ventral meron
again darkened. Halteres light yellow. Legs with the coxae and trochanters
yellow; femora yellow, the tips narrowly but conspicuously blackened; tibiae andbasitarsi obscure yellow; terminal tarsal segments brownish-black; fore tibia
with a narrow but vsry conspicuous jet-black subbasal ring. Wings with theground-colour cream-yellow, trifasciate with brownish-gl'ey, the broadest area
including the wing-apex; a narrower but almost complete crossband at cord,
extending from R, to the margin along vein Cur; the most basal band incomplete,
occupying the cubital and anal fields only; veins yellow, darker in the clouded
areas. Venation: R, and r-m in approximate transverse alignment; vein 2nd A
ending about opposite the caudal end of m-cu.
Abdomen dark brown to brownish-black, the terminalia only a trifle brighter.
Male terminalia (Text-fig. 12) with the outer dististyle (od1 a simple blackened
structure, the distal half narrowed to a somewhat obtuse blunt lobe, not at allbind or trifld. Outer basal dististyle (obd,) a long slender acute rod, near its
outer end with appressed spines. Inner basal dististyle (ibd) a little shorterbut broader, appearing as a blade of moderate width, gradually nar'rowed to thB
acute tip.
IIoD.-New South Wales.
Holotype, {, Megalong Valley, Blue Mts., 20th-30th October, 1930 (f. E.
Wilson). ParatopotApe, 6.
The present species is very similar in its general appearance to Moloythilus
perDagat?rsSkuse, differing in the larger size and quite distinctr structure of themale terminalia, especially the unlobed nature of the outer dististyle. The maleterminalia are most like that of. IW. acutistylzs Alexander, which differs especiallyin the pattern of the legs, and less evidently in that of the wings.