(modified from Londt 1986). Asiline flies displaying the following combination of characters. Head: Face plane, not gently convex; dorsal occipital macrosetae long, proclinate. Thorax: Mesonotum strongly humped; acrostichal setae long, well developed, tightly packed and arranged in a narrow strip; scutellum with a single pair of apical scutellar macrosetae; discal cell (1m₂) of wing not markedly constricted at midlength (as in Synolcus Loew, 1858); male wing with costal region not markedly expanded (as in some Dasophrys Loew, 1858). Abdomen: Female ovipositor long (more than twice as long as broad in lateral aspect) and laterally compressed. Figure 1 illustrates a fairly typical male of the genus.

Figure 1. 

General appearance of a fairly typical Gibbasilus (G. condylus sp. n.) male.

L. albus – white, ala – f. wing; refers to the milky white, opaque bases to the wings.

Based on 2♂ specimens, ♀ unknown.

Head: Black, fine silver pruinose, black, pale yellow and white setose. Antenna: Black, fine silver pruinose, scape and pedicel black setose. Segmental ratios (scape as 1) = 1 : 0.6 : 1.2 : 0.7 (elements of style = 0.1, 0.5, 0.1). Style composed of three elements (small basal segment-like element, long middle rod-like element, terminal seta-like sensory element). Face black, fine dull silver pruinose, profile plane (straight, no gibbosity evident). Mystax long, well-developed, extending from epistomal margin to antennal sockets, macrosetae pale yellow along epistomal margin, otherwise all black. Frons and vertex black, dull silver pruinose, fine, long, black setose. Ocellar tubercle with long, fine, black setae. Occipital region black, silver pruinose, black setose dorsally, pale yellow laterally, fine white setose ventrally. Palpi 2-segmented, segment 1 white setose, 2 black setose. Proboscis shiny black, fine white setose.

Thorax: Dark red-brown to black, fine, dull, silver pruinose, black, pale orange, pale yellow and white setose. Pronotum black, white setose. Mesonotum black, entirely dull silver pruinose. Acrostichals numerous, mane-like, predominantly black except for few white setae anteriorly and a cluster of fine white setae posteriorly. Dorsocentrals well-developed, black, extending both anterior and posterior of transverse suture. Mesonotal macrosetae: Strong, pale orange, 2 npl, 2 spal, 1 pal. Scutellum black, entirely dull silver pruinose; disc fine white setose, 2 long, black apical scutellar macrosetae. Pleura: Dark red-brown to black, entirely dull silver pruinose, pale yellow and white setose. Katatergal setae weak, pale yellowish. Anatergites uniformly dull silver pruinose, asetose. Mediotergite weakly fine white setose medially. Legs: Coxae dark red-brown to black, fine, dull silver pruinose, fine white setose. Trochanters shiny black, apruinose, fine white setose. Femora slightly inflated, dark red-brown to black except for narrow orange distal tip, macrosetae mostly yellowish (except for 3–5 black proximoventral setae on fore femora). Tibiae mostly brown-orange becoming progressively darker distally, macrosetae mostly orange (a few black at distal tip). Tarsi dark red-brown with black and orange macrosetae. Claws dark red-brown to black, pulvilli and empodia well developed, orange. Wings (Fig. 2): Holotype 6.7 × 2.5 mm, paratype 6.1 × 2.2 mm. Veins brown, cells r₁ m₃ and cua closed and stalked, membrane unstained, entirely transparent except for partly opaque, milky proximal region (including whole of cells bm, cua, and cup and proximal part of br), microtrichia absent. Halter pale yellow to orange.

Figure 2. 

Gibbasilus alboala sp. n. ♂ wing (note backlighting obliterates opaque, milky basal membranes).

Abdomen: Entirely dark red-brown to black, extensively dull silver pruinose, except lateral margins of T2 and T3 which are shiny apruinose. Terga fine short white setose, T1–4 with 1–2 laterally situated pale yellow macrosetae (progressively diminishing in size towards terminalia). Sterna fine, longish setose. ♂ genitalia (Figs 3–6): Epandrium about three times longer than deep in lateral view, with widest part proximal to mid-length; moderately broadly rounded distally; lobes gradually diverging distally in dorsal view. Gonocoxite not quite ⅓ as long as epandrium, smoothly rounded distally. Gonostylus elongate, almost half the length of epandrium, of approximately same width for entire length in ventral view, distally with a subtriangular upwardly directed process, best appreciated in lateral view. Hypandrium short, almost three times wider than long in ventral view, distal margin very slightly indented medially. Aedeagus long and thin, slightly dorsoventrally compressed, S-shaped distally, terminating in a 3-pronged tip. Posterior margin of S8 slightly indented medially with a terminal, subrectangular, dorsoventrally compressed process projecting to approximately midlength of hypandrium. ♀ unknown.

Figures 3–6. 

Gibbasilus alboala sp. n. ♂ terminalia, lateral (3), dorsal (4), ventral (5), detail of gonostylus and aedeagus (6).

SOUTH AFRICA: 1♂ "S Africa: Cape #69 / 1 km W Nieuwoudtville / 31°23'S, 19°06'E 800 m / Date: 4.xi.1991 / Coll: J.G.H. Londt / Caravan Park and area" (NMSA).

1♂ with identical label (NMSA).

This species bears a strong resemblance to condylus sp. n., described below, but is immediately recognised by the milky white bases to the wings. This condition, although unique within Gibbasilus, is encountered in other asilid genera such as Hypenetes Loew, 1858 (Londt 1985). While it remains possible that the possession of milky wing bases is a variable character I consider alboala and condylus to represent separate taxa until shown otherwise. In the absence of females it is not known if milky wing bases are confined to males.

Known only from the type locality. Collected in November. The general habitat consisted of endemic fynbos plant species and large boulders.

The species was fully described by Londt (1986) who provided illustrations of the general habitus, antenna, wing, ♂ terminalia, ♀ ovipositor and pupa as indicated above. The species bears a strong resemblance to the newly described crinitus sp. n. (see below). A new illustration of the ♀ ovipositor is here provided for comparative purposes (Fig. 7). The length : depth ratio of the ovipositor = 4.0 : 1.

Figures 7–10. 

Gibbasilus species ♀ ovipositors. 7 G. arenaceus Londt, 1986 8 G. centrolobus Londt, 1990 9 G. condylus sp. n. 10 G. crinitus sp. n.

SOUTH AFRICA: 1♀ paratype "South Africa, Cape Prov. / Botterkloof Pass [c.31°40'S, 19°16'E 660 m], top of / Sept. 13, 1972, 3119Cd / 2230 ft., ME&BJ Irwin / White sand dune assoc." (NMSA)*; 4♂ 1♀ paratypes "Brandkop [c.31°42'S, 19°07'E 875 m] Area / Calvinia District / South-West Cape / 14 October 1964 / B&P Stuckenberg" (NMSA, 1♂ BMNH)*; 6♂ 8♀ "S Africa, Cape #65 / 22 km S Vanrhynsdorp / 31°46'S, 18°46'E 600 m / Date: 23.xi.1991 / Coll: J.G.H. Londt / Gifberg Edge old land" (NMSA); 1♀ "S Africa, Cape #65 / 24 km S Vanrhynsdorp / 31°48'S, 18°46'E 600 m / Date: 3.xi.1991 / Coll: J.G.H. Londt / Gifberg. Flat summit" (NMSA); 1♂ holotype "South Africa, Cape Prov / 2.5 mi. S. Elandsbaai [c.32°19'S, 18°21'E 10 m], 30 ft / Sept. 16, 1972, 3218Ad / ME&BJ Irwin, / Coastal sand dunes" (NMSA)*; 1♂ 1♀ paratypes "Pakhuis Pass [c.32°09'S, 19°02'E 875 m] 950 m / Clanwilliam Dist. / 17–19 Oct 1964 / B+P Stuckenberg" (NMSA)*.

This species bears a strong resemblance to crinitus sp. n., described below, but can be separated from that species on features of the male terminalia (inn particular the poorly developed pale setae found along the posterior margin of S8).

Known from six localities approximately centred on the towns of Vanrhynsdorp and Clanwilliam. Collected during the months of September, October and November. Specimens collected by me 22 km south of Vanrhynsdorp, on the road to the Gifberg, were found perching near the tops of the vertical stems of a tall unidentified plant species belonging to the family Restionaceae growing on the edge of an old ploughed field (31°46'16"S, 18°45'56"E 545 m). Although oviposition was not observed, it is probable that females use their knife-like ovipositors to insert eggs into suitable crevices found on these plants.

The species was fully described by Londt (1990), based on the unique holotype ♂. Illustrations were provided of the wing and ♂ terminalia. No new material is available and the ♀ remains unknown. The species cannot be confused with other species, having distinctive ♂ terminalia.

SOUTH AFRICA: 1♂ holotype "Pakhuis Pass [c.32°08'S, 19°02'E 635 m], C.P. S.A.M., 9:1961 [ix.1961]" (SAM).

Known only from the type locality of Pakhuis Pass, a road to the east of Clanwilliam leading to the Biedouw Valley. Collected in September. No biological information is available. The pass is rocky and dominated by indigenous fynbos.

The species was described by Londt (1990), based on a unique holotype ♂ specimen, and both the wing and ♂ terminalia were well illustrated. On re-examination it has been found that two paratypes of arenaceus, 1♀ and 1(sex unknown) lacking terminalia, listed below, were not conspecific and have been reallocated to centrolobus. The ♀ ovipositor (which is glued to the pin beneath the specimen) is here illustrated (Fig. 8), its length : depth ratio = 3.6 : 1. These specimens appear to be correctly allocated to centrolobus as the wings are microtrichose and the only pale mystacal macrosetae are restricted to the epistomal margin. The ♂ of this species cannot be confused with other species as it has distinctive terminalia.

SOUTH AFRICA: 1♂ holotype "Clan William [c.32°12'S, 18°54'E 165 m] / ix-1928 / Dr. Brauns" (NMSA)*; 1♀ 1? (paratypes of arenaceus) "Van Rhyn's, – / Pass [c.31°23'S, 19°01'E 620 m], 4-5 11'33 / G. van Son" (NMSA)*.

Distribution (Fig. 20A), phenology (Table 1) and biology. With the transfer of two specimens from arenaceus to centrolobus the species is now known from two localities. Collected in September and November. No biological information is available.

L. m. condylus - prominence; refers to the lobed S8 in males.

Based on 2♂ and 6♀.

Head: Black, silver pruinose, black, pale yellow and white setose. Antenna: Black, fine silver pruinose, scape and pedicel black setose. Segmental ratios (scape as 1) = 1 : 0.7 : 1.4 : 0.8 (style = 0.2, 0.5, 0.1). Style composed of three elements (small basal segment-like element, long middle rod-like element, terminal seta-like sensory element). Face black, fine silver pruinose, profile plane. Mystax long, well-developed, extending from epistomal margin to antennal sockets, macrosetae white along epistomal margin, otherwise black. Frons and vertex black, silver pruinose, fine, long, black setose. Ocellar tubercle with long, fine, black setae. Occipital region black, silver pruinose, black setose dorsally (may be a few orange), pale yellow laterally, fine white setose ventrally. Palpi 2-segmented, segment 1 white setose, 2 black setose. Proboscis shiny dark red-brown to black, fine white setose.

Thorax: Dark red-brown to black, fine, dull, silver pruinose, black, pale orange, pale yellow and white setose. Pronotum dark red-brown to black, white setose. Mesonotum black, entirely dull silver pruinose. Acrostichals numerous, mane-like, predominantly black except for few white setae anteriorly and a cluster of fine white setae posteriorly. Dorsocentrals well-developed, black, extending both anterior and posterior of transverse suture. Mesonotal macrosetae: Strong, orange and black, 2 npl (orange), 2 spal (black), 1 pal (black). Scutellum black, entirely silver pruinose; disc fine white setose, 2 long, black apical scutellar macrosetae. Pleura: Dark red-brown to black, entirely silver pruinose, pale yellow and white setose. Katatergal setae pale yellowish. Anatergites uniformly dull silver pruinose, asetose. Mediotergite weakly fine white setose medially. Legs: Coxae dark red-brown to black, fine, dull silver pruinose, fine white setose. Trochanters shiny black, apruinose, fine white setose. Femora slightly inflated, dark red-brown to black except for narrow orange distal tip, macrosetae mostly yellowish (except for 3–5 black proximoventral setae on fore femora). Tibiae mostly brown-orange becoming progressively darker distally, macrosetae mostly orange (a few black at distal tip). Tarsi dark red-brown with black and orange macrosetae. Claws dark red-brown to black, pulvilli and empodia well developed, brown-orange. Wings: ♂ 7.6 (7.4–7.8) × 2.6 mm, ♀ 7.6 (6.3–8.6) × 2.5 (2.1–2.9) mm. Veins brown, cells r₁, m₃, and cua closed and stalked, membrane unstained (wing tip may be slightly brown stained), entirely transparent and lacking microtrichia. Halter pale yellow to orange.

Abdomen: Entirely dark red-brown to black, extensively dull silver pruinose, except lateral margins of T2–5 and parts of S2–2 which are shiny apruinose. Terga fine short white setose except for narrow medial strip of fine black setae, T1–6 with 1–3 laterally situated pale yellow macrosetae (progressively diminishing in size and number towards terminalia). Sterna fine, longish setose. ♂ genitalia (Figs 11–14): Epandrium almost three times longer than deep in lateral view, with widest part proximal to mid-length; not very broadly rounded distally; lobes gradually diverging distally in dorsal view. Gonocoxite almost ⅓ as long as epandrium, smoothly rounded distally. Gonostylus elongate, almost half the length of epandrium, of approximately same width for entire length in ventral view, distally with a subtriangular upwardly directed process, best appreciated in lateral view. Hypandrium short, about four times as wide as long in ventral view, distal margin very slightly indented medially. Aedeagus long and thin, slightly dorsoventrally compressed, S-shaped distally, terminating in a 3-pronged tip. Posterior margin of S8 slightly indented medially with a terminal subrectangular, dorsoventrally compressed process projecting to approximately midlength of hypandrium. ♀ ovipositor (Fig. 9): Elongate, laterally compressed and knife-like. Length : depth ratio = 2.7 : 1 (more robust when compared with other species).

Figures 11–14. 

Gibbasilus condylus sp. n. ♂ terminalia, lateral (11), dorsal (12), ventral (13), detail of gonostylus and aedeagus (14).

SOUTH AFRICA: 1♂ "South Africa W Cape / Kagga Kamma Nat. Res. / 32°45'12"S, 019°34'23"E / J&A Londt 12.xi.2015 / 1080 m Sandy vynbos" (NMSA).

4♀ "S Africa, Cape #65 / 22 km S Vanrhynsdorp / 31°46'S, 18°46'E 600 m / Date: 23.xi.1991 / Coll: J.G.H. Londt / Gifberg Edge old land" (NMSA); 1♀ "S Africa, Cape #65 / 14 km NNW Citrusdal / 32°31'S, 18°58'E 300 m / Date: 1.xi.1991 / Coll: J.G.H. Londt / Woody plants; sandy" (NMSA); 1♀ with identical label data as holotype (NMSA); 1♂ "Michells Pass [c.33°23'S, 19°18'E, 485 m] / Ceres Div.", "Museum Staff / Oct. 1934" (SAM).

As mentioned earlier, this species bears a strong resemblance to alboala sp. n. (described above), but can easily be separated from that species as it has entirely transparent wing membranes, lacking the somewhat opaque, milky basal wing membranes diagnostic for alboala.

Known from four fairly widely separated localities. Collected during the months of October and November. Specimens collected by me, at three localities, were found perching near the tops of the vertical stems of a tall unidentified species belonging to the Restionaceae or sunning themselves on stones. A typical habitat at the Kagga Kamma Nature Reserve is illustrated (Fig. 15). Although oviposition was not observed, it is probable that females use their knife-like ovipositors to insert eggs into suitable crevices found on these plants. The species is found sympatrically with crinitus.

Figure 15. 

Typical habitat of both Gibbasilus condylus sp. n. and G. crinitus sp. n. – Kagga Kamma Nature Reserve, where both species may be found sympatrically.

L. m. crinitus – hairy; refers to the mediodistal cluster of black setae found on S8.

Based on type series consisting of 5♂ 3♀.

Head: Black, fine silver pruinose, black and white setose. Antenna: Black, fine silver pruinose, scape and pedicel black setose. Segmental ratios (scape as 1) = 1 : 0.6 : 1.5 : 0.7 (elements of style = 0.2, 0.4, 0.1). Style composed of three elements (small basal segment-like element, long middle rod-like element, terminal seta-like sensory element). Face black, silver pruinose, profile plane. Mystax long, well-developed, extending from epistomal margin to antennal sockets, macrosetae black (laterally) and white (centrally) down entire depth of face. Frons and vertex black, weakly silver pruinose, fine, long, black setose. Ocellar tubercle with long, fine, black setae. Postocular (occipital) region black, silver pruinose, mostly black setose dorsally, white laterally and ventrally. Palpi 2-segmented, segment 1 white setose, 2 black setose. Proboscis shiny black, fine white setose.

Thorax: Dark red-brown to black, silver pruinose, black, pale yellow and white setose. Pronotum dark red-brown to black, white setose. Mesonotum black, entirely fine silver pruinose. Acrostichals numerous, mane-like, predominantly black except for a few white setae anteriorly and a cluster of fine white setae posteriorly. Dorsocentrals well-developed, black, extending both anterior and posterior of transverse suture. Mesonotal macrosetae: Strong, pale yellow, 2 npl, 2 spal, 1 pal. Scutellum black, entirely dull silver pruinose; disc fine white setose, 2 long, pale yellow apical macrosetae. Pleura: Dark red-brown to black, entirely dull silver pruinose, white setose. Katatergal setae weak, white. Anatergites uniformly dull silver pruinose, asetose. Mediotergite fine white setose medially. Legs: Coxae Dark red-brown to black, fine, dull silver pruinose, fine white setose. Trochanters shiny black, apruinose, fine white setose. Femora slightly inflated, entirely dark red-brown to black, macrosetae mostly black (except for a few pale orange anterodorsally on mes- and metathoracic femora). Tibiae orange except for dark red-brown to black distal quarter, macrosetae mostly black (a few orange). Tarsi dark red-brown with black macrosetae (except for a few yellow on Tar 1). Claws dark red-brown to black, pulvilli and empodia well developed, brown. Wings: ♂ 7.2 (6.3–7.7) × 2.4 (2.1–2.6) mm, ♀ 6.6 (6.2–7.3) × 2.1 (2.1–2.2) mm. Veins dark red-brown to black, cells r₁, m₃, and cua closed and stalked, membrane unstained, entirely transparent except for slight opaqueness resulting from presence of microtrichia primarily distally and broadly along hind margins. Halter pale yellow to orange.

Abdomen: Entirely dark red-brown to black, extensively dull silver pruinose, weakly along lateral margins of T2–4 and S2–4 which are shiny apruinose. Terga fine short white setose except for narrow mid-dorsal strip of tiny black setae, T1–5 with 2–3 laterally situated pale yellow, weak macrosetae (progressively diminishing in size towards terminalia). Sterna fine, longish setose.

Abdomen: Entirely dark red-brown to black, extensively dull silver pruinose, except lateral margins of T2–3 which are shiny apruinose. Terga fine short white setose, T1–4 with 1–2 laterally situated pale yellow macrosetae (progressively diminishing in size towards terminalia). Sterna fine, longish setose. ♂ genitalia (Figs 16–19): Epandrium three times longer than deep in lateral view, with widest part at approximately mid-length; fairly broadly rounded distally; converging slightly subapically in dorsal view. Gonocoxite one-third as long as epandrium, smoothly rounded distally. Gonostylus elongate almost half the length of epandrium, broad basally in ventral view, tapering distally to an upwardly directed process seen in lateral view. Hypandrium short, about half as long as gonocoxite in lateral view, posterior margin slightly indented medially. Aedeagus long and thin, S-shaped distally, terminating in a 3-pronged tip. Posterior margin of S8 with a medial, rounded swelling bearing a row of fairly long black setae. ♀ ovipositor (Fig. 10): Elongate, laterally compressed and knife-like. Length : depth ratio = 4.7 : 1.

Figures 16–19. 

Gibbasilus crinitus sp. n. ♂ terminalia, lateral (16), dorsal (17), ventral (18), detail of gonostylus and aedeagus (19).

SOUTH AFRICA: 1♂ "South Africa W Cape / Kagga Kamma Nat. Res. / 32°45'12"S, 019°34'23"E / J&A Londt 12.xi.2015 / 1080 m Sandy vynbos" (NMSA).

SOUTH AFRICA: 2♂ 1♀ "South Africa, C.P. / Clanwilliam, 32°10'S, 18°53'E. 30.ix.1986 / M.W. Mansell & J.H. / Hoffmann", "Collected / at light" (NMSA);# 1♂ 1♀ with identical label data as holotype (NMSA); 1♂ 1♀ "South Africa W Cape / 13 km S Kagga Kamma / 32°49'42"S, 019°37'32"E / J&A Londt 8.xi.2015 / 1270 m Rocky, restios" (NMSA).

This species bears a strong resemblance to arenaceus, but can be separated from that species on features of the male terminalia (mainly on the well-developed black setae found along the posterior margin of S8). While crinitus sp. n. may eventually prove to be a variant of arenaceus there is presently insufficient material to verify that possibility. It should be noted that the material collected at Clanwilliam was recorded previously by Londt (1990) under the name arenaceus.

Known only from three localities. Collected in September and November. Specimens collected by me were taken resting on the stems of an unidentified species of Restionaceae or sunning themselves on rocks. The species being found sympatrically with condylus, the general habitat being illustrated in Fig. 15.

Figures 20. 

Gibbasilus maps of distribution. A arenaceus (●), centrolobus (■), crinitus sp. n. (▲) B alboala (●), brevicolis (■), condylus sp. n. (▲).