Enica eremophila Rollinson & Cabrero 2025, comb. nov.
Creators: name: Rollinson, Lisa
name: Cabrero, Allan
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2025
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Insecta
Diptera
Bombyliidae
Enica
Enica eremophila

description: Enica eremophila (Hesse, 1975) comb. nov.
Fig. 6
Taxon depository.
ZooBank: https://zoobank.org/ 04C520D8-0187-4ECE-B88B-CCB9B25937A6.
Diagnosis.
The species is distinguished from other species in the genus by the reddish orange postpedicel and oblique rectangular white stained area between R 1 and CuA.
Description.
Head: wider than high, creamy white; males holoptic, females dichoptic, vertex and compound eyes at same level; frons (at level of antennal insertion) more or less parallel-sided, female: light brown to reddish-orange, darker than head, without dark spot, males: similar to head, slightly darker than head, rarely reddish-orange, much darker than head; frons black setose, with white scales, males no setation near eyes, females setose near eyes only dorsally; ocellar tubercle slightly raised, dark reddish brown to black, black macrosetose, white or light brown scales posteriorly; occiput whitish – yellow setose, without scales, antero-dorsally with dark brown to black spots, usually oval or dorsal eye margin with dark brown to black spots present, not touching eye margin, extending more than three times as long as wide; gena creamy white, extremely sparsely setose.
Proboscis and maxillary palpus: proboscis straight, black; labella only forming distal tip of proboscis, apically rounded, minute black setose; maxillary palpus not extending beyond oral cavity, light brown to brown, light yellowish-brown setose.
Antenna: reddish brown; scape creamy white, approximately as long as pedicel, black setose dorsally and ventrally, setae short, not extending to end of pedicel; pedicel reddish brown or creamy white, short black setose dorsally; postpedicel reddish brown, tapering distally, longer than scape and pedicel combined, dark setose dorsally; stylus reduced, only apical ‘ seta-like’ sensory element present, situated sub – apically in cavity on postpedicel.
Thorax: light orangish brown; scutum medially black, red around margins, red sometimes extends in medial line from behind head to center of thorax, light to dark brown scales, two submedial stripes with lighter scales; setation: acr setae present, black, dc setae present, black; prosternum silvery grey pubescence; proepisternum silvery grey pubescence, long yellowish-white setose, white scales; antepronotum silvery grey pubescence, dull white scales anteriorly; postpronotum silvery grey pubescence, asetose, with medial dark brown to black stripe; postpronotal lobe silvery grey pubescence, long white flattened setose, black macrosetose; pleuron silvery grey pubescence; proepimeron silvery grey pubescence, asetose; anepisternum silvery grey pubescence, white scales ventrally, black macrosetose dorsally; anepimeron silvery grey pubescence, asetose; katepisternum silvery grey pubescence, white scales dorsally; laterotergite silvery grey pubescence, asetose; meron + metepisternum silvery grey pubescence, asetose; metepimeron silvery grey pubescence, white setose dorsally; scutellum red, anterior black spot, apubescent, ds sctl setae black macrosetose, ap sctl setae comprised of white scales, black setose.
Leg: light brown to brown or light orangish brown, covered in scales, some regular setae present; pro coxa brown or light orangish brown, silvery grey pubescence, white scales, thick black setose; pro femur brown or light orangish brown, white scales ventrally, brown scales dorsally, few short black setae; pro tibia light brown, raised short and fine dark brown setose ventrally, large black setose dorsally; mes coxa light orangish brown, white pubescence, white scales, thick black setose; mes femur brown or light orangish brown, white scales ventrally, brown scales dorsally, few short black setae; mes tibia light brown, dark brown scales, long black setose, distal tip with long black setae; met coxa brown or light orangish brown, white pubescent, white scales, thick black setose, anteriorly without any protuberance; met trochanter short black setose ventrally, white scales dorsally, without protuberance; met femur brown or light orangish brown, white scales ventrally, brown scales dorsally, few short black setae; met tibia light brown, dark brown scales, large black setose, distal tip with long black macrosetae of varying sizes; proximal pro, mes, and met tarsomeres longer than following 2 tarsomeres combined, proximal met tarsomere as wide as following tarsomeres; pro tarsomere with dark brown scales dorsally, black setose ventrally; mes tarsomere with dark brown scales dorsally, black setose ventrally; met tarsomere with dark brown scales dorsally, black setose ventrally; claw smoothly arched distally.
Wing: 10.1–10.3 mm, microtrichia absent; membrane color pattern males: slightly infuscated except for white tinted base of wing, oblique rectangular area between CuA and R 1, r-r, r-m, and base of m 2, females: darkly infuscated except for white tinted base of wing, oblique rectangular area between CuA and R 1, r-r, r-m, and base of m 2; costal vein dark brown short setose, whitish-clear setose proximally; R 2 + 3 distally distinctly arching anteriorly, r 1 open; R 4 terminating anterior to wing apex, distinctly arching anteriorly; cell r 4 open, proximally R 4 and R 5 parallel, R 4 strongly diverging anteriorly in distal 2 / 3; R 5 terminating posterior to wing apex; r 5 open; M 1 terminating posterior to wing apex; cell d closed by base of M 2 and m-m, r-m situated in distal ¼; m 3 open; cua open; alula greatly reduced, nearly straight wing margin; haltere stem dark brown setose.
Abdomen: shape ovate, predominantly black anteriorly and red posteriorly; tergites smooth, setae with small sockets only; T 1 predominantly reddish-orange, some black, reddish-orange or predominantly black, no red or a very thin line of red posteriorly, light yellowish-brown to light whitish brown setose, with scales; T 2 – T 7 black anteriorly, red posteriorly, thin black setose, brown to light yellowish-brown scales, lighter scales on spots (sometimes line) along posterior margins of T 2–4; S 1–8 predominantly light reddish-orange, yellow to white scales, thin black setose and long white setose; lateral margin black setae remaining close to abdomen, male T 8 white scales, black setose.
Terminalia: Male terminalia drawings under the name Enica afra in Hesse (1956, p 38): https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/40844173.
Material examined.
Holotype. South Africa – Western Cape • 1 ♂ Touws River to Hondewater, 18 miles E; 33°28'60"S, 020°19'01"E; Dec. 1962; SAM Museum Staff leg.; SAM-DIP-A 002153, SAMC.
Other material.
South Africa – Eastern Cape • 1 ♂ Willowmore; 33°17'00"S, 023°29'00"E; 1917; Brauns, H. leg.; NMSA -DIP-054456, NMSA • 1 ♀ Willowmore; 33°17'00"S, 023°29'00"E; 01 Nov. 1919; Brauns, H. leg.; NMSA -DIP-054457, NMSA • 1 ♀ Willowmore; 33°17'00"S, 023°29'00"E; 25 Nov. 1922; Brauns, H. leg.; NMSA -DIP-054458, NMSA • 1 ♀ Willowmore, Modderfontein; 33°17'00"S, 023°29'00"E; 04 Dec. 1920; Brauns, H. leg.; NMSA -DIP-056057, NMSA • 1 ♀ Willowmore, Modderfontein; 33°17'00"S, 023°29'00"E; 04 Dec. 1920; Brauns, H. leg.; NMSA -DIP-89505, NMSA • 1 ♂ Willowmore, Georgida; 33°26'00"S, 023°19'00"E; 05 Jan. 1927; Brauns, H. leg.; NMSA -DIP-89506, NMSA • 1 ♂ Willowmore, Georgida; 33°26'00"S, 023°19'00"E; 05 Jan. 1927; Brauns, H. leg.; NMSA -DIP-89507, NMSA.
South Africa – Northern Cape • 1 ♂ Akkerendam Nature Reserve; 31°25'15"S, 019°46'54"E; 1065 m a. s. l.; 15 Nov. 2011; Londt, Jason, Londt, A. leg.; karoo scrub, rocky area near stream; NMSA -DIP-206510, NMSA • 1 ♀ Calvinia, 12 km S; 31°34'10"S, 019°43'56"E; 1080 m a. s. l.; 07 Sep. 2002; Londt, Jason leg.; sandy roadside; NMSA -DIP-84594, NMSA • 1 ♂ Fish River bridge, 23 km SE Middelpos; 32°01'25"S, 020°24'25"E; 1145 m a. s. l.; 18 Nov. 2008; Londt, Jason leg.; sandy riverine scrub area; NMSA -DIP-106779, NMSA • 1 ♀ Fish River bridge, 23 km SE Middelpos; 32°01'25"S, 020°24'25"E; 1145 m a. s. l.; 18 Nov. 2008; Londt, Jason leg.; sandy riverine scrub area; NMSA -DIP-106780, NMSA • 1 ♀ Klipfontein; 30°30'18"S, 017°49'57"E; 16 Nov. 1933; van Son, G. leg.; NMSA -DIP-051578, NMSA • 1 ♂ Klipfontein; 30°30'18"S, 017°49'57"E; 16 Nov. 1933; van Son, G. leg.; NMSA -DIP-89497, NMSA • 1 ♂ Klipfontein; 30°30'18"S, 017°49'57"E; 16 Nov. 1933; van Son, G. leg.; NMSA -DIP-89499, NMSA • 1 ♂ Klipfontein; 30°30'18"S, 017°49'57"E; 16 Nov. 1933; van Son, G. leg.; NMSA -DIP-89500, NMSA • 1 ♀ Klipfontein; 30°30'18"S, 017°49'57"E; 16 Nov. 1933; van Son, G. leg.; NMSA -DIP-89501, NMSA • 1 ♂ Klipfontein; 30°30'18"S, 017°49'57"E; 16 Nov. 1933; van Son, G. leg.; NMSA -DIP-89502, NMSA • 1 ♂ Klipfontein; 30°30'18"S, 017°49'57"E; 16 Nov. 1933; van Son, G. leg.; NMSA -DIP-89503, NMSA • 1 ♀ Klipfontein; 30°30'18"S, 017°49'57"E; 16 Nov. 1933; van Son, G. leg.; NMSA -DIP-89504, NMSA • 1 ♀ 1 ♂ Springbok; 29°40'00"S, 017°53'00"E; Nov. 1890; Lightfoot, R. leg.; SAM-DIP-A 002162, SAMC • 1 ♂ Sutherland, 19 km S; 32°33'00"S, 020°34'00"E; 1100 m a. s. l.; 24 Nov. 1990; Whittington, Londt, Jason leg.; verlatekloof roadside; NMSA -DIP-051370, NMSA • 1 ♀ 1 ♂ Sutherland, 19 km S; 32°33'00"S, 020°34'00"E; 1100 m a. s. l.; 24 Nov. 1990; Whittington, Londt, Jason leg.; verlatekloof roadside; NMSA -DIP-89539, NMSA • 4 ♀ Tankwa Karoo, Waterval; 32°21'00"S, 020°10'48"E; Nov. 1952; SAM Museum Staff leg.; SAM-DIP-A 002154, SAMC • 1 ♀ Tankwa Karoo, Waterval; 32°21'00"S, 020°10'48"E; Nov. 1952; SAM Museum Staff leg.; SAM-DIP-A 002154, SAMC • 2 ♂ Thee Kloof (= Theekloof Pass, or Teekloofpas) Fraserburg; 32°12'19"S, 021°37'20"E; Nov. 1935; SAM Museum Staff leg.; SAM-DIP-A 002159, SAMC • 1 ♀ Thee Kloof (= Theekloof Pass, or Teekloofpas) Fraserburg; 32°12'19"S, 021°37'20"E; Nov. 1935; SAM Museum Staff leg.; SAM-DIP-A 002159, SAMC • 1 ♂ Visriver, 50 km E of Calvinia; 31°26'15"S, 020°16'48"E; 990 m a. s. l.; 10 Nov. 1998; Londt, Jason leg.; river edge vegetation; NMSA -DIP-90077, NMSA • 1 ♂ Williston, 8 km W; 31°20'48"S, 020°50'52"E; 1080 m a. s. l.; 10 Nov. 1998; Londt, Jason leg.; Karoo vegetation, at foot of rocky ridge; NMSA -DIP-90036, NMSA • 1 ♂ Williston, 8 km W; 31°20'48"S, 020°50'52"E; 1080 m a. s. l.; 10 Nov. 1998; Londt, Jason leg.; Karoo vegetation, at foot of rocky ridge; NMSA -DIP-90042, NMSA • 1 ♀ Williston, 8 km W; 31°20'48"S, 020°50'52"E; 1080 m a. s. l.; 10 Nov. 1998; Londt, Jason leg.; Karoo vegetation, at foot of rocky ridge; NMSA -DIP-90043, NMSA
South Africa – Western Cape • 1 ♂ 7 Weeks Poort (= Seven Weeks Poort); 33°24'02"S, 021°23'56"E; 17 Nov. 1940; van Son, G. leg.; NMSA -DIP-051556, NMSA • 1 ♂ Avontuur Cape Colony; 33°43'01"S, 023°09'56"E; Jan. 1920; Brauns, H. leg.; NMSA -DIP-054578, NMSA • 1 ♂ Beaufort W. Dist., Nieuwveld; 32°21'00"S, 022°35'00"E; Nov. 1935; SAM Museum Staff leg.; SAM-DIP-A 002136, SAMC • 1 ♂ Beaufort W. Dist., Nieuwveld; 32°21'00"S, 022°35'00"E; Nov. 1935; SAM Museum Staff leg.; SAM-DIP-A 002136, SAMC • 1 ♂ Between Calitzdorp and Schoemans Poort (= Schoemanspoort); 33°06'33"S, 22°03'18"E; Oct. 1938; SAM Museum Staff leg.; SAM-DIP-A 002165, SAMC • 1 ♂ Buffel’s River, between Laingsburg and 7. wks. Poort (= seven weeks poort); 33°21'31"S, 20°57'19"E; Oct. 1937; leg.; SAM-DIP-A 002139, SAMC • 1 ♂ Dwyka river N 1; 33°05'07"S, 021°34'46"E; 455 m a. s. l.; 13 Oct. 2013; Londt, Jason, Londt, A. leg.; Rocky river-bed with stagnant pools; NMSA -DIP-106776, NMSA • 1 ♂ Knersvlakte, North of Van Rhynsdorp; 31°15'00"S, 018°45'00"E; 06–09 Oct. 1964; Stuckenberg, Brian leg.; NMSA -DIP-89535, NMSA • 1 ♀ Knersvlakte, North of Van Rhynsdorp; 31°15'00"S, 018°45'00"E; 06–09 Oct. 1964; Stuckenberg, Brian leg.; NMSA -DIP-89538, NMSA • 1 ♂ Knersvlakte, North of Van Rhynsdorp; 31°15'00"S, 018°45'00"E; 06–09 Oct. 1964; Stuckenberg, Brian leg.; NMSA -DIP-89540, NMSA • 1 ♀ Knersvlakte, North of Van Rhynsdorp, SW cape; 31°15'00"S, 018°45'00"E; 06–09 Oct. 1964; Stuckenberg, Brian, Stuckenberg, A. leg.; NMSA -DIP-048069, NMSA • 1 ♂ Knersvlakte, North of Van Rhynsdorp, SW cape; 31°15'00"S, 018°45'00"E; 06–09 Oct. 1964; Stuckenberg, Brian, Stuckenberg, A. leg.; NMSA -DIP-89510, NMSA • 1 ♀ Knersvlakte, North of Van Rhynsdorp, SW cape; 31°15'00"S, 018°45'00"E; 06–09 Oct. 1964; Stuckenberg, Brian, Stuckenberg, A. leg.; NMSA -DIP-89511, NMSA • 1 ♂ Knersvlakte, North of Van Rhynsdorp, SW cape; 31°15'00"S, 018°45'00"E; 06–09 Oct. 1964; Stuckenberg, Brian, Stuckenberg, A. leg.; NMSA -DIP-89512, NMSA • 1 ♂ Knersvlakte, North of Van Rhynsdorp, SW cape; 31°15'00"S, 018°45'00"E; 06–09 Oct. 1964; Stuckenberg, Brian, Stuckenberg, A. leg.; NMSA -DIP-89533, NMSA • 1 ♂ Knersvlakte, North of Van Rhynsdorp, SW cape; 31°15'00"S, 018°45'00"E; 06–09 Oct. 1964; Stuckenberg, Brian, Stuckenberg, A. leg.; NMSA -DIP-89534, NMSA • 1 ♂ Knersvlakte, North of Van Rhynsdorp, SW cape; 31°15'00"S, 018°45'00"E; 06–09 Oct. 1964; Stuckenberg, Brian, Stuckenberg, A. leg.; NMSA -DIP-89536, NMSA • 1 ♂ Knersvlakte, North of Van Rhynsdorp, SW cape; 31°15'00"S, 018°45'00"E; 06–09 Oct. 1964; Stuckenberg, Brian, Stuckenberg, A. leg.; NMSA -DIP-89537, NMSA • 1 ♂ Laingsburg, 5 km S; 33°14'00"S, 020°52'00"E; 700 m a. s. l.; 25 Nov. 1990; Londt, Jason leg.; Banks Buffels River; NMSA -DIP-051274, NMSA • 1 ♂ Laingsburg, 70 km W; 33°16'33"S, 020°07'25"E; 900 m a. s. l.; 07 Nov. 1998; Londt, Jason leg.; Macchia vegetation; NMSA -DIP-90031, NMSA • 1 ♂ Laingsburg, 70 km W; 33°16'33"S, 020°07'25"E; 900 m a. s. l.; 07 Nov. 1998; Londt, Jason leg.; Macchia vegetation; NMSA -DIP-90032, NMSA • 1 ♂ Louw’s River; 34°17'28"S, 018°54'45"E; Oct. 1937; Radismith, Beliv, Montagu leg.; SAM-DIP-A 002138, SAMC • 1 ♀ Montagu; 33°46'02"S, 020°07'40"E; Oct. 1919; leg.; NMSA -DIP-002164, SAMC • 1 ♂ Montagu; 33°46'02"S, 020°07'40"E; Nov. 1919; Lightfoot, R. leg.; SAM-DIP-A 002160, SAMC • 1 ♂ Montagu; 33°46'02"S, 020°07'40"E; Nov. 1919; Lightfoot, R. leg.; SAM-DIP-A 002160, SAMC • 1 ♀ Montagu; 33°46'02"S, 020°07'40"E; Nov. 1919; Lightfoot, R. leg.; SAM-DIP-A 002160, SAMC • 1 ♀ Montagu; 33°46'02"S, 020°07'40"E; Nov. 1919; Lightfoot, R. leg.; SAM-DIP-A 002160, SAMC • 1 ♂ Montagu Nature Garden; 33°47'33"S, 020°07'51"E; 240 m a. s. l.; 19 Oct. 2005; Londt, Jason leg.; Succulent Karoo garden on hot N slope; NMSA -DIP-93037, NMSA • 1 ♂ Montagu Nature Garden; 33°47'33"S, 020°07'51"E; 240 m a. s. l.; 19 Oct. 2005; Londt, Jason leg.; Succulent Karoo garden on hot N slope; NMSA -DIP-93039, NMSA • 1 ♂ Montagu Nature Garden; 33°47'33"S, 020°07'51"E; 240 m a. s. l.; 19 Oct. 2005; Londt, Jason leg.; Succulent Karoo garden on hot N slope; NMSA -DIP-93041, NMSA • 1 ♂ Ouberg Pass, SE of Touws R.; 33°41'01"S, 020°15'15"E; Dec. 1962; SAM Museum Staff leg.; SAM-DIP-A 016112, SAMC • 1 ♂ Ouberg Pass, SE of Touws R.; 33°41'01"S, 020°15'15"E; Dec. 1962; SAM Museum Staff leg.; SAM-DIP-A 016113, SAMC • 1 ♂ Schoemans Poort (= Shoemanspoort); 33°26'28"S, 022°15'04"E; 1938; SAM Museum Staff leg.; NMSA -DIP-002166, SAMC • 1 ♀ Touws Rivier to Hondewater, 18 miles E; 33°28'60"S, 020°19'01"E; Dec. 1962; SAM Museum Staff leg.; SAM-DIP-A 002153, SAMC • 1 ♂ Touws Rivier to Hondewater, 18 miles E; 33°28'60"S, 020°19'01"E; Dec. 1962; SAM Museum Staff leg.; SAM-DIP-A 016111, SAMC • 1 ♂ Touws Rivier to Hondewater, 18 miles E; 33°28'60"S, 020°19'01"E; Dec. 1962; SAM Museum Staff leg.; SAM-DIP-A 016209, SAMC • 1 ♂ Touws Rivier to Hondewater, 18 miles E; 33°28'60"S, 020°19'01"E; Dec. 1962; SAM Museum Staff leg.; SAM-DIP-A 016210, SAMC • 1 ♀ Touws Rivier to Hondewater, 18 miles E; 33°28'60"S, 020°19'01"E; Dec. 1962; SAM Museum Staff leg.; SAM-DIP-A 016211, SAMC • 1 ♂ Touws Rivier to Hondewater, 18 miles E; 33°28'60"S, 020°19'01"E; Dec. 1962; SAM Museum Staff leg.; SAM-DIP-A 016212, SAMC • 1 ♂ Worcester, Karoo Botanic Garden; 33°37'00"S, 019°27'00"E; 420 m a. s. l.; 27 Sep. 1993; Londt, Jason leg.; macchia; NMSA -DIP-95283, NMSA • 1 ♂ Worcester, Karoo Botanic Garden; 33°37'00"S, 019°27'00"E; 420 m a. s. l.; 27 Sep. 1993; Londt, Jason leg.; macchia; NMSA -DIP-95284, NMSA.
Distribution, biodiversity hotspots, phenology, and biology.
Known from localities in the Northern Cape, Western Cape, and Eastern Cape of South Africa (Fig. 7). This species is widely found and known from 76 specimens, collected in 27 collecting events spread between 1890–2013. The species is known to occur in the Succulent Karoo and Cape Floristic Region biodiversity hotspots. Adult flies are active from September - January (Table 2). Adult flies are presumed pollinators, as other species in the genus have been observed visiting flowers (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/64518819). Larvae are unknown but presumed parasitoids as other Bombyliidae, hosts are unknown (Yeates and Greathead 1997).
Remarks.
Hesse (1975) mentioned that some darker specimens of E. eremophila were observed, some of these also have a black T 1.
description: Published as part of Rollinson, Lisa & Cabrero, Allan, 2025, Species discovery in Southern African bee flies (Diptera, Bombyliidae): A new species in the revised genus Enica Macquart, 1834, pp. 73-115 in African Invertebrates 66 (1) on pages 73-115, DOI: 10.3897/afrinvertebr.66.129611