Acraspisoides Hill & Winterton

Acraspisoides Hill & Winterton, 2004: 4. Type species: Acraspisoides helviarta Hil & Winterton, 2004: 4.

Could be confused with: Patanothrix, Parapsilocephala, Acraspisa, Acatopygia.

Systematic grouping: Agapophytinae

Diagnosis: Antennae positioned low on frons; 2-3 poorly defined rows of postocular setae in both male and female; velutum patches on hind and forefemora, hind femur longer than fore and mid femora, anteroventral apical seta not present on hind femur; wing with dark banding, cell m3 closed; gonocoxites without velutum patches; medial atrium between gonocoxites absent; dorsal apodeme of parameral sheath reduced, T-shaped; large ventral bulb; anterior process of female tergite 8 narrow; three spermathecae; spermathecal sac simple, spherical.

Distribution: The single known species of Acraspisoides is known from a series of specimens collected from Warrumbungle National Park in north-central New South Wales.

Comments: Acraspisoides is very similar to Acraspisa, although it is much larger in size, has multiple rows of postocular setae in the male, and lacks an acuminate scutellum. Phylogenetic analysis by Hill and Winterton (2004) places Acraspisoides as the most basal genus of Agapophytinae. Spot characters to look for when identifying this genus include multiple rows of postocular setae in both sexes, ventral bulb on aedeagus, banded wings and flat frons.

Included species: A. helviarta Hill & Winterton

Relevant literature:
Hill, H.N. & Winterton, S.L. (2004) Acraspisoides- a new genus of Stiletto-flies from Australia (Diptera: Therevidae). Zootaxa 414: 1-15.

Acraspisoides helviarta Hill & Winterton (male). Image copyright: S.L. Winterton.