Acatopygia Kröber

Acatopygia Kröber, 1912b: 149. Type species: Acatopygia pulchella Kröber, 1912b: 149.
Spatulipalpa Kröber, 1912d: 221. Type species: Spatulipalpa paradoxa Kröber, 1912d: 221.

Could be confused with: Patanothrix, Parapsilocephala, Acraspisoides, Bonjeania, Laxotela.

Systematic grouping: Agapophytinae

Diagnosis: Antennae positioned low on frons; setae on antennae enlarged; upper frons slightly rounded; male occiput concave, single row of postocular setae in male, 2-3 poorly defined rows in female; velutum patches on hind and forefemora, hind femur longer than fore and mid femora, anteroventral apical seta on hind femur present, multiple setae along anteroventral surface for femur; wing with dark banding, cell m3 closed; extensive velutum covering on male abdomen; epandrium elongate, anterolateral corners expanded ventro-laterally to partially conceal gonocoxites; gonocoxites with velutum patches; medial atrium between gonocoxites; dorsal apodeme of parameral sheath reduced, 'T'-shaped, ventral apodeme length equal to ejaculatory apodeme; anterior process of female tergite 8 narrow; three spermathecae; spermathecal sac simple, spherical.

Distribution: Both species of Acatopygia are distributed throughout south-eastern Australia. Acatopygia pulchella is common in southeastern Queensland while A. paradoxa is more common in southern New South Wales.

Comments: This small genus containing two very similar species is readily distinguished from other genera by the male head and genitalic features, elongate hind femur, and male abdominal velutum. The shape of the gonocoxites and aedeagus indicates a close relationship between Acatopygia and Patanothrix. Spot characters to look for to identify this genus include medial atrium in the male terminalia, elnarged epandrium, velutum on the male abdomen, banded wings, spines on the femora and elongate hind femur.

Included species: A. paradoxa (Kröber), A. pulchella Kröber.

Relevant literature:
Kröber, O. (1912b) Die Thereviden der indoaustralischen Region. (Dipt). [part]. Entomologische Mitteilungen, 1, 148-159.

Kröber, O. (1912d) Die Thereviden der indoaustralischen Region. (Dipt). [part]. Entomologische Mitteilungen, 1, 215-222.

Winterton, S.L., Yang, L., Wiegmann, B.M. & Yeates, D.K. (2001) Phylogenetic revision of Agapophytinae subf. n. (Diptera: Therevidae) based on molecular and morphological evidence. Systematic Entomology 26: 173- 211.

Acatopygia paradoxa (Kröber) (male).

Acatopygia paradoxa (Kröber) (female).

Acatopygia pulchella Kröber (male).

Acatopygia pulchella Kröber (female).

Acatopygia paradoxa (Kröber) (female terminalia). Image copyright: Blackwell Scientific, S.L. Winterton.

Acatopygia pulchella Kröber (male terminalia, heads). Image copyright: Blackwell Scientific, S.L. Winterton.