Patanothrix Winterton

Patanothrix Winterton, 2001: 204. Type species: Patanothrix skevingtoni Winterton, 2001: 205.

Could be confused with: Parapsilocephala, Acraspisa, Acraspisoides, Bonjeania, Acatopygia.

Systematic grouping: Agapophytinae.

Diagnosis: Antennae located on lower frons; frons flattened; male frons very narrow, female frons wide; flagellum conical; male occiput concave, single row of postocular setae; female occiput convex, multiple poorly defined rows of postocular setae; cell m3 closed; anteroventral apical seta absent, fore and hind femora with velutum patches; gonocoxite velutum patch distinctive, flattened plate or cup-like velutum patch on postero-ventral region of gonocoxites; narrow, elongate ventral lobe as long as gonostylus; membranous medial atrium between gonocoxites present; three spermathecae; spermathecal sac shape simple.

Distribution: Australia.

Comments: There are presently two described and at least 20 undescribed species of Patanothrix represented in collections. Unassociated females are difficult to separate from Parapsilocephala. Patanothrix wilsoni males have been collected hilltopping on desert sand dunes (see Biology & Ecology). This genus is presently being revised by SLW. Spot characters to look for when identifying this genus include velutum patches on the fore and hind femora, wing cell m3 closed, frons flat or rounded, medial atrium present, velutum on gonocoxites raised into a plate, inner gonocoxal process and outer gonocoxal process elongate, often greatly.

Included species: P. skevingtoni Winterton, P. wilsoni (Mann).

Relevant literature:
Mann, J.S. (1933) Revisional notes on Australian Therevidae. Part 3. Australian Zoologist, 7, 325-344.

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.

Patanothrix sp. (male & female) (MEI#27697, 27680). Image copyright: S.L. Winterton.

Patanothrix sp. (male) (MEI#30874). Image copyright: S.L. Winterton.

Patanothrix sp. (male) (MEI#28575). Image copyright: S.L. Winterton.

Patanothrix sp. (female) (MEI#27668). Image copyright: S.L. Winterton.

Patanothrix sp. (male & female) (MEI#27685, 27755). Image copyright: S.L. Winterton.

Patanothrix sp. (male) (MEI#27675). Image copyright: S.L. Winterton.

Patanothrix sp. (male) (MEI#27691). Image copyright: S.L. Winterton.

 

Patanothrix sp. (male). Image copyright: S.L. Winterton.

Patanothrix wilsoni (Mann). Image copyright: Blackwell Science Publishers, S.L. Winterton.

Patanothrix skevingtoni Winterton. (male genitalia). Image copyright: Blackwell Science Publishers, S.L. Winterton.