 |
| Humorolethalis sergius (Walker)
in Robinson, Li & Yeates, 2020.
DOI: 10.1111/aen.12465
|
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.
Keywords: Australian, Daptolestes, Dasypogininae, Humorolethalis, new genus, new species
Isabella J. Robinson, Xuankun Li and David K. Yeates. 2020. Revision of the Endemic Australian Robber Fly Genus Daptolestes Hull (Diptera: Asilidae) and Description of Humorolethalis gen. nov. Austral Entomology. DOI: 10.1111/aen.12465
The five flies with Marvel universe names are:
Stan Lee's fly is Daptolestes leei and shares his characteristic sunglasses and white moustache
Thor's fly is Daptolestes bronteflavus, meaning blond thunder
Loki's fly is Daptolestes illusiolautus, meaning elegant deception
Black Widow's fly is Daptolestes feminategus, meaning woman wearing leather
Deadpool's fly is Humorolethalis sergius, from the Latin for wet or moist, and dead, and shares his mask markings.
