From, the Proceedings ol the Linnean BocietA ol New Bouilt Wates,
Vot. tiu, part S, 1929.

NOTES ON THE AUSTRALIAN SPECIES OF MOLOPHILUS
DIPTERA]. I.

[TIPULIDAE,

By Crrenr,nsP. Ar,nxenorn, Amherst, Massachusetts.
Contribution I r om the E nt onlological Laboratorg, M assachusetts
Agricultural College.
(Communicated,bA I. M. Macker.ras.M.8., Ch.M.)(Plate v.)
2 gth M ay ,

lRead
In

the

present

article,

I

rvish

to

discuss1929.1thespecies

of

the

genus

Molophilusthat were described by Skuse in 1889 (Pnoc. Lxrv. Soc. N.S.W., (2) 4,804-814).
This genus, which will undoubtedly be found to be the largest and one of themost involved groups of crane-flies in the Australian fauna, includes a host ofusually small, hairy flies that are often very similar to one another in theirgeneral appearance. To handle this vast complex of species, it is necessary toseparate them into groups, the only feasible basis for such a separation apparenily
being the structure of the male hypopygium. The wing-venation is remarkably
uniform throughout the group, while the antennae, although showing a.great
range in length and structure in the males of various species, if used a.a a basis
for group separation would tend to divide closely allied form (as transrucens
Skuse, with short antennae, and rtlistAlus Alexander, with elongate antennae).
The characters upon which the groups herein recognized are based are admittedly
artificial, but appear to me to be the most important and constant that areavailable. The Australian groups so far discovered may be separated by meansof the following key:
1.

2.

3.
4.

Ma l eMaIehypopygiumwith only the ventr a l l obe of the bas i s ty l e w el l _dev el oped .. ....
z
hypopygium
witheither the dorsal lobe <uerticalis
group)or dorsal, ventral
and mesal lobes of the basistyle well-developed+
present, the outer
Three dististyles(od) witha narrow
chitinizedstrip extenaling.
asad along the mesal face of the basistyle to opposite the level of the tv/o basal(obtl, ibil)
dististyles. . . - .. perpagor?ra grouppresent
Tu'o dististylesaApex of ventral
lobe of basistyle produced into a chitinizeal beak .. plagiatus
group
A p e x of ventr al lobe of basistyle unar m ed
gracilis
grotp,..
..
ruficoll,is subgroup
Dorsal, ventral
and usually
the mesal lobe of the basistyleprocluced into lobes, theventralprovidedlobe clavate
andwitherect to retrorse
setae and abundantsetulae .
gracil,is group, graoili,c subgroup....
Only the dorsal lobe of the basistyle produced into a broad lobe that tapers gradually
into a spinegroup,
aerticalis

Th.e perc-agafas group is now known to be represented in Australia andTasmania by an extensive series of species, but the group has not been foundelsewhere. The chief specific characters are to be found in the pattern of
the head, wings and legs, and in the details of structure of the male hypopygium.

138

TIIE

AUSTRALIAN

SPECIESOFMOLOPEILUS.

The outer dististyle (od) is often simple, but may be bilobed or even trilobed.
The shape and relative proportions of the basal dististyles are of great importancein the separation of allied species.
T};.e pl,agiatus group is very widely distributed, being represented by anabundance of species in New zealartd.,Australia, North and south America, andpossibly elsewhere in the Old World.
The gracili's group is unusually protean and appears to form a number oflesser divisions in various parts of its range. Members of the rufi,cotis subgroupare abundant throughout Australia and rasmania and are further represented bya few very large species that seem to be most nearly allied to froggatti sknse
in the chilean subregion. other subdivisions of tt.e graciris group occur in Northand South America and in Eurasia.
T}l,e aerticalis group is stiU known from a single Tasmanian species.
It should be observed that the presence of an enlarged and usually darkcoloured ring, possibly homologous with a similar structure in the Tettigoniidae
and Gryllidae (orthoptera), is found in the males in several of the above groups.
This structure was first noted by skuse and is best indicated in members in theAustralian fauna, but is also found in many extra-limital species.
In the genus Molophilus, skuse described fifteen Australian species,all known
only from various stations in New south wales and now known to represent
but a very small proportion of the total number in the commonwealth. Throughthe great kindness of the late Dr. Eustace w. x'erguson and Dr. Ian Mackerras,
I have been able to examine the male hypopygium of all of the species so
described by Skuse that were contained in the Macleay collections. The species
so represented,are M. annulipes, M. canus, M. flnnonotatus, M. froggatti, M. gracili,s,M. longi,cornis, M. lucidi.pennis, M. peruagatus, M. putchri,pes, M. ruficollis ar.dM' translucens. one additional species, M. fem,oratus, represented in the type
series only by females, has since been recognized in the male sex in the Tonnoir
collections. The only other species in the Macleay series, M. notati.pennis, isstill known only from the unique female type and, since it belongs to a groupthat includes several very similar forms, it seems doubtful whether the species
can be finally determined without a critical comparison with the type. The
two additional species of Mol,ophi,lus described by skuse are preserved in theAustralian Museum and are not discussed in this report: M. monti,aagus is still
known only from the unique female type taken at Jindabyne, Kosciusko, at 3,000
feet, and its identity may remain in question, even upon comparison with thetype. The last species, M. helnL:si,is not known to the present writer.
The twelve species to be discussed are herewith arranged in their respective
groups, as deflned above, and will be described in that order.
MoLoPETLUS
eNnur,rpns Skuse.
Skuse, PBoc. LrrvN. Soc. N.S.W., (2) 4, 1889, 809-810.
The types were from Sydney, the Blue Mts., and Hogan's Brush, near
Gosford, August to January. of the specimens in the Macleay collection, fiveare males, paratype 1 being identical with the holotype, as described herewith.
Paratype 2 is a very distinct but similar species that has been described as
M. nxackerrasi Alexander (Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9) 20, 192?, 969-8?0), the typebeing from Hogan's Brush, in August. paratype 3 is different from the typebut the hypopvgium is in poor condition, the basal. alististyle lacking; this may
equal the species later described as M. persimi,lis Alexander. An additional male

BY C. P. ALEXANDER.

139

and female were earlier removed from the type-series by Dr. X'erguson anddescribed as M. Ttersimitis Alexander (Ann. Mag. Nat. Eisr., (9) 19, 1927,22-23),
these types being from Knapsack Gully, Blue Mts. Thus, of the large original
series, only the type and a single paratype male can be safely retained under thename annul,i,pes.
The hypopygiurn of the lectotype may be described and illustrated (Plate v,
fig. 1), as follows:
Basistyle with the dorso-lateral lobe terminating in a black acute spine;
ventral lobe elongate, the apex relatively narrow, its mesal face producetl into an
extensive blackened margin, the cephalic portion of which is further produced
into a powerful black spine, directed cephalad; ventrad of the blackened portion
with a dense group of long erect yellow setae. Outer dististyle long and slentler,
the blackened tip expanded and bifld, the two arms very unequal, the outer morethan twice the length of the inner, sinuous to the acute apex; inner arm shortand nearly straight. Basal dististyle a powerful, nearly straight rod that runsout into a Iong straight spine, just beyond midlength on the mesal edge with alarge nearly appressed lateral spine; on the opposite margin of the style andslightly more basad a tiny blackened spine; surface of style at this level with
two setigerous punctures. Aedeagus long and straight, in slide mounts extending
caudad to opposite two-thirds the length of the basal dististyle.
The species belongs to the Ttlagi,atasgroup and has been made the type of a
subgroup.
Mor,oPurr,us rr,evoNore'rus Skuse.
Skuse, These Pnoc., (2) 4, 1889, 810-811.-Molophi'luscoaas Skuse, ibid., (2)4, 1889,811-812.
The present species is common and widely-distributed in south-eastern
Australia and Tasmania. The above synonymy has been established by a comparison of the lectotypes of the two species. In the type series of fl,auonotatus
were the leetotype and a paratype male, from Sydney, in September. In thetype series of canus, the second paratype is identical with the lectotype, but
Paratype 1 represents a distinct but allied form that has been described as
M. in(l,iuisus Alexander (Ann. Mag. Nat. Eist. (9) 20, 1927, 368-369)' the tvpe
(according to Skuse) being from Sydney. M. fla'Donotatzsis allied to M. euanidus
Alexander (New Zealand), differing in the dense patch of setae beyond theouter fork of the basal dististyle, in eaanid.us these setae being greatly reduced
in number.
The lectotype is described as follows (Plate v, fle. 2):
Male hypopygium with the basistyle relatively long and narrow' the apicalbeak small, blackened, surrounded by numerous yellow setae. Outer dististyle'and slender, gently curved, the arms short, the inner arm
relatively longto the subacute apex. Basal dististyle a long pale blade,narrowedstraight,
widely expanded near midlength, at the level of the dilated portion bearing aconspicuous curved black spine; apical two-flfths of the style more slender, gently
curved to the acute tip; before the aBex, at the base of the darkened portion, asmaller black lateral spine; mesal face beyoncl this spine with a dense patchof long yellow setae. Aedeagus long and straight.
The species belongs to t};.eplagiatus group, annulipes subgroup.
The present records show the following distribution:

140

TEE

AUSTBALIAN

SPECIES OF MOLOPHILUS.

New South Wales: Wentworth X'alls, Blue Mts., November 18, 1921 (Tonnoir) ;Sydney, August and September (Skuse) ; Woy 'Woy, November, 1921 (Tonnoir).
Tasmania: Burnie, October 25,1922 (Tonnoir); Geeveston, December 8, 1^glz(Tonnoir); Tullah, November 8, 7922 (Tonnoir) ; Zeeban, January, 1924 (Har<ly);
Mt. Wellington, November 28,1922 (Tonnoir); Eaglehawk Neck, Tasman peninsula,
November 17, 7922 (Tonnoir).
MoLoPHrLus rrrtonerus Skuse.
Skuse, These Pnoc., (2) 4, 1889,805.
The unique type of this species, a female, was taken at Lawson, in theBlue Mts., in January. No additional specimens have been taken excepting amale from Mt. Wilson, Blue Mts., November 19, l92L (Tonnoir) and a second
male at Wentworth Falls, Blue Mts., November 18, 1921 (Tonnoir). This second
male is described as allotype, being preserved in the collection of Dr. Tonnoir.
Allotype.-Male.
Length about 3 mm.; wing 4.4 mm,
Agrees closely with the female except that the thoracic dorsum is moreochreous-brown than greyish-brown, the median region of the prescutum darker,
with very long conspicuous black setae; humeral region brighter. Antennae(male) of moderate length, if bent backward extending about to the base of thehalteres; scapal segments ochreous, the flagellar segments darker, fusiform, witha very conspicuoug white pubescence and a few scattered dark verticils. Knobsof halteres conspicuously dark brown. Posterior tibiae and tarsi pale yellow.
Wings broad, tinged with brown, the veins and macrotrichiae darker, the lattervery conspicuous; costal fringe dense.
Male hypopygium (Plate v, fie.3) with the basistyles elongate, the terminal
beak very conspicuous, at anex produced into a strong point that is directed
ceBhalad. Dististyles widely separated, the outer style arising at a point that isnearly opposite miillength of the basal dististyle, relatively small, bifid, one arm
directed in a straight line with the axis of the stem and appearing as a spine,
the other arm a flattened triangular blade that is directecl almost at a rightangle.. Basal dististyle a very long slender blarle, the basal half more dilated,
thence narrowed into a long curved apical portion that terminates in a spine;
entire outer margin of style with conspicuous spinulae that become larger andmore appressed outwardly. Aedeagus relatively- long and slender.
The species belongs to the plagi,atas group.
Moropltrrus rnlnsr,ucnNs Skuse.
Skuse, These Pnoc., (2) 4, 1889,811.
Skuse describecl this species from a small series taken at Lawson, Blue Mts.,
and at Gosford and Hogan's Brush, Narara Creek. The lectotype and oneparatype male have been examined.
Male hypopygium (Plate v, fig. 4) with the ventral lobe of the basistyle
relatively elongate, the apical beak very deep, feebly chitinized, surrounded bynumerous setae. Outer dististyle relatively short, bifld, the arms blackened,
the inner arm a blunt straight rod, the lateral arm much longer, expanded intoa blade, the mesal angle weakly produced. Basal dististyle appearing as a
powerful, gently curved blackened rod, the outer or caudal margin with a double
row of seven Bairs of spines, the basal ones more erect, the outer three becoming
progressively reduced in size and more appressecl; apex of style relatively short,
slender, the extreme tip twisted to one side; base of style more expanded, pale,

BY

C. P.

ALEXANDER,

141

on the mesal portion, near the point of darkening with several small elevatedpunctures, each set with a tiny conical spine. Aedeagus short, less thaD thebasal dististyle.
The species belongs to the plagiatirs group.
M. translucens is most nearly allied to M. bipectinatus Alexantler (Victoria,
Tasmania), which differs in the slender apex of the basistyle and the more
slender basal dististyle, which, beyond the serrations, is prolonged to a curved,
acutely pointed spine.
MoLoPIrTLUsLoNcrconnrs Skuse.
Skuse, These Pnoc., (2) 4, 1889, 814-815.
The types, a male anrl female, were taken in August at Berovrra and at
Knapsack Gully, Blue Mts. Mackerras has designated the male as lectotype.
Male hypopygium (Plate v, fig. 5) with the basistyle relatively long andslender; apical beak relatively slender, chitinized, the tip obtuse, the base surrounded by numerous long setae. Outer dististyle relatively short-stemmed, thearms short and powerful, the outer arm more flattenetl, the inner arm more
slender and nearly straight, the space between the arms narrow. .Basal dististylea long slenaler horn, gently sinuous, gradually narrowecl to the acute darkened
tip, longer than the outer dististyle; on outer face just beyoncl base a small
blunt tooth; surface of style on distal third with a linear row of three microscopic
spinulae.
The species belongs to tt'e plagiatus group.
Mor.oPHrltis nurrcor,r,rs Skuse.
(2)4, 1889, 804-805.
Skuse, These Pnoc.,
The type series of six specimens was collected at Lawson, Blue Mts., in
January. Through the kind interest of Dr. Mackerras I have been able toexamine four type males, including the lectotype.
Male hypopygium (Plate v, fiS. 6) with the ninth tergite densely setiferous,
the caudal margin pale and smooth. Basistyle producecl into a long ventroIateral lobe, the mesal face with abundant erect setae ancl setulae. Dististyles
arising rather close together in the notch of the basistyle; outer style a loDg
slender blade, widened distally, bifid at apex, the inner arm a conspicuous
flattened blade, its caudal margin obliquely truncate, the outer arm slender, thumblike, appressed to the inner arm. Basal dististyle a heavily blackened structureof peculiar shape, broadest just beyond midlength, thence suddenly narrowed
into an anchor-like apex, the shank stouter than the two slightly unequal arms,
the latter acute at tips, the crown of the anchor being further produced into asmall knob. Phallosomic structure heavily blackened, rectangular, the apex
produced into two curved hooks, the space between with a U-shaped notch.
Aedeagus relatively long and slender, in slide mounts extending caudad toshortly before the apex of the ventral lobe of basistyle, its proximal two-thirds
subtended by a narrow flattened lving.
The species belongs to t}re gracili.s group and has been made the type of a
subgroup.
Mor,oprrrr,usrucrnrpnnNrs Skuse.
Skuse, These Pnoc., (2) 4, 1889, 813-814.

t42

TIIE

AUSTRALIANSPT;CIESOF

MOLOPEILUS,

The types were from the Blue Mts., taken in January. Of the four specimens
in the Macleay series, two are males and were mounted and sent to me by
Dr. Mackerras. The paratype male proved to be a very distinct species fromthe lectotype and has been described as M. forceps Alexander (Ann. Mag. Nat.
.Eldst.,(9) 20,t927,37-38). The lectotype is the only specimen in the type series
that can safely be referred to lucidipennis.
Male hypopygium (Plate v, flg.7) with the ventral lobe of the basistyleunusually elongate, being approximately as long as the basal portion of the style,the mesal face with abundant erect setae and setulae. Dististyles placed close
together in the notch of the basistyle; outer style with a short sinuous stemthat soon dilates into a flattened blade, the apex further produced caudad into along slender gently-curved black spine; outer margin of the flattened blade
blackened; blade produced into a small pale lobe opposite its widest point.
Inner dististyle a very long, slender, gently sinuous needle-like rod. Aedeagus
long and slender, straight, in slide mounts extending caudad to opposite midlength of the ventral lobe of the basistyle.
Belongs to tl:.e gracili,s group, rufi,collis subgroup.
Mor,opsrlus rnoccerrr

Skuse.

Skuse, These Pnoc., (2) 4, 1889, 807-808.
Skuse knew only the unique type female, taken at Waverley, near Sydney,in October. The species is novr' well known and has a wide range in south-eastern
Australia, as follows:
New South Wales: Brooklana, Eastern Dorrigo, October, November(Heron); Barrington Tops, 5,000 feet, January, 1925 (Mackerras); Blue Mts.,
January 26,7922 (X'erguson); Mt. Wilson, Blue Mts., November 19, 1921 (Tonnoir);'Wentworth Falls, Blue Mts., November 18, 1921 (Tonnoir); Sydney, November
L9, 1922 (Ferguson).
Victoria: Beaconsfield, November 6, 1923 (Hill) ; Lower Tarwin, November
22, 1925 (Hill).
Tasmania: Burnie, X'ebruary 1, 1923 (Tonnoir); Cradle Valley, January 12,
26 and 27, t923 (Tonnoir); Zee}:.an,February, 1924 (Hardy); Eaglehawk Neck,
Geeveston, December 8, 1922 (Tonnoir);November 22-23, t922 (Tonnoir);
Adventure Bay, December 3t,1922 (Tonnoir).
The male sex not having been described is discussed briefly at this time.
Allotype.-Male.
Length 7-9 mm.; wing 7-8 mm.
Characters as in the female, differing chiefly in sexual characters. Male
hypopygium (Plate v, fig. 8) with the ninth tergite comparatively large, thecaudal margin with a broad V-shaped notch, the lateral lobes thus formed
projecting caudad as conspicuous ears, the mesal margins of which are obliquely
truncated, the tips narrowly obtuse; a conspicuous slender median lobe. Basistylewith the proximal half stout, the ventral lobe narrower but longer than the
Iongest dististyle. Outer dististyle relatively slender, appearing as a gently
curved chitinized rod arising from a more enlarged base, the apex bifid, theinner arm nanowly tipped with black. Inner dististyle a very small acutelypointed horn. Gonapophyses lyriform, each a long slender rod arising from anenlarged base, these rods directed laterad, thence caudad, decussate across themedian line, the tips rather suddently narrowed, blackened, sinuous.
Belongs to the gracilis group, rulicollis subgroup.

BI

C. P.

.A.LEXANDEB

143

cnacrrrs Skuse.
Moroprrrrus
S k u s e , T h e se PRo c., ( 2 ) 4 , 1 8 8 9 , 808-809.
The type series in the Macleay collection included six specimens, among
which more than a single species may be confused.
Dr. Mackerras sent me thehypopygia of the lectotype male and an additional paratype that is identical withthe type, as described and figured, except that the lateral spine or thorn of theinner dististyle is bifld at apex.
The species is common and wide-spread andseems to show unusual modificationsin the details of structureof the malehypopygium.
(Plate v, fiS. 9) with the basistyle profoundly
Male hypopygium
divided, asi n t h e su b g r o u p ; d o r so - la te r a l lo b e a sl ender, gentl y curvetl spi ne; mesal l obe
slender and nearly straight, with a few scattered setae along its mesal edge, as
figured.
Outer dististyle slender, gently curved and narrowed to the acute tip,
before the terminal spine with a small erect tuberculate spine.
Inner dististylea powerfulrod, the apical half narrowed and gently curved, the tip acute ornearly so; on the lateralface a powerfulnearlystraight
thorn-likespine.
Aedeagus relatively
short, in slide mounts, if bent backward, extending
to a
short distance beyond the base of the mesal lobe of the basistyle.
Belongs to t}re gracilis group and subgroup.
MoLoPHTLUS pnnYac-q.trs Skuse.
S k u se , T h e se Pn o c., ( 2 ) 4 , 1 8 8 9 , 8 1 3.
T h e typ e se r ie s in th e M a cle a y c ol l ecti on i ncl uded si x i ndi vi dual s of both
sexes. Of these, the lectotype and first paratype males are undoubtedly
cons p e c i f i c . Pa r a typ e 2 is in p o o r co n d itio n and i ts i denti ty i s doubtful .
(Plate v, fig. 10) with the tergite relatively long and narrow,
Male hypopygium
provided with numerous long setae. Basistyle elongate, the apex of the ventral
lobe flattened, with conspicuous yellow setae. Outer dististyle irregularly
trifid,the apex being irregularly
bilobed, as shown in the sub-flgures; before apex onouter margin with a flattened appressed lobe; as usual in the group, this style isadnate to the basistyle.
Outer basal dististyle a long slender rod, nearly straight,
narrowed. gradually to the acute blackened apex. Inner basal dististyle shorter,
appearing as a .slender flattened blade, the apical third a trifle dilated, provided
with a series of about six small acute teeth arranged in a linear series along theouter margin.
Aedeagus relatively long and slender, sinuous.
Skuse stated that the species was generally distributed
in New South Wales.
I have seen material
from Wentworth
Falls, Blue Mts., November
18, 1921(Tonnoir)a n d Wa te r fa ll, No ve m b e r , 1921 (Tonnoi r).
The species is the type of the peruagolzs

group.

Mor,oPHrLUs pur,crrntprs Skuse.
S k u se , T h e se Pn o c., ( 2 ) 4 , 1 8 8 9 , 8 12.
Skuse's types, two males, were taken at Sydney in September.
Dr. Mackerras
sent me the hypopygia of these two specirnens and it was found that the paratype
was an entirely distinct species from the type, since described as M. gr.&cillinxus
A l e x a n d er ( An n . M a g . Na t. Hist., ( 9 ) 20, 1927, 356-357). IrI. pul ch,ti trres i s now
known to be well distributed
in New South Wales and Victoria, as shown byt h e f o l l owin g r e co r d s:
New South Wales:
Brooklana,
Eastern
Dorrigo,May 26, lg28 (Heron) ;B a r r i n g t o n T o p s, 5 ,0 0 0 fe e t, Ja n u a r y, 1925 (Mackerras).

t44

TEE

AUSTBALIAN

SPECTES Or.
'fiOLOPEILU8.

Victoria: Clarkefleld, September 27, L928 (Wlleon); Eltham, August ZS, lgZB
(IMilson); Rinswood, May 5, 1928 (Wilson); Melton, l['[.ay 27, 1928 (Wilson).
Male hypopygium (Plate v, ffg. 11) with the outer dlsilstyle, when vlewed
latcrally, terminating in a stout black lobe. Outer basal dlstirtyle a llttle longer
thatr the lnner, the basal half pale, the apical half blackened, a Utile aulateal,
thence narrowed to a long acute polnt, the dark portlon roughened. Innef bagal
dististyle slender, the apex dilatetl lnto a flattened oval head, at the base ol
thie dilatett Dortion on outer margin wlth a slngle appresged spine; headwith about ten punctures.
Belongs to tt.e pentagot?s group.
EXPIJANATIONOF PLATE V.
Male hypopygia of species of Molnphi,lus.
I'ig,. l,-Molophllue
onnul,if,es Skuse. (Apex of basistyle further enlarged.)
FLg,. Z.-Molophltwa flaDonotdt&s skuse. (Apex of basal dististyle further enlargeal,)I.ig. 3.-Molqhllue
femorotus Skuse. (Apex of outer dististyle further enlarged.)
Fie. 4.-Mologthdlus tronslucens Skuse, (Apex of basistyle, and outer distlstyle further
enlarged. )Fig. 6.-Molothllus
longiconr{s Skuse. (Apex of basistyle, apex of outer ttisilstyle, &nd
basal alististyle further enlargeal.)I'ig. G,-Motrogthilus ruf,collfr Skuse.
I.lg. 1.-Molophllus
lucil,ipe?r?ris Skuse.
Fig. 8.-Mologthilus lroggatri
Skuse. (Apex of outer alististyte, anal basal dististylefurther enlarged.)
Fig. g.-Motrophitruo gracilis Skuse. (Mesal lob€ of baslstyle further enlarged,)
Fig. 10.-Jffotrogthil,us peroagarxcs Skuse. (Apices of outer dlstistyle, and aper of lnnerbasal alististyle furdher enlarged.)pulckripes Skuse. (Apex of inner basal tlististyle further enlarged.)
I ie.l7.-Molopkilus

Prnc. Lrxn. Soc. N.S.W.. 1929

frj

W4

i.'r-v f ,&b