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Another one with inflated femur...

CHongwe, Lusaka, Zambia.

Amongst grasses/non-native Mexican daisies in heavy shade.

07 March 2013

Size: quite large, probably about 22mm?

Similar to other species suggested to be Hoplistomerus (and in same area), but seemed darker, hairier and more thickset upon examination of photographs.

[EDIT: changed title to reflect identified genus and possible species. Was formerly "Black Asilidae, Africa - Hoplistemerus sp?"]

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Second image:

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Hi Will,

Should be Laxenecera cf. albicincta. This is a widespread, variable species. Its also sexually dimorphic, this is the male, whereas the female has brown hairs and is much broader.

regards,
Steve

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Hi, Steve!

Thank you for that. With the overall appearance being broadly similar, and my not noticing that there was a difference until looking at the photos later, is the similar individual with a brown frill to its thorax (http://www.dipter...d_id=54135) likely to be the female of the species?

Thanks again,

Will.

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Maybe, there are several other species of Laxenecera, but albicincta is the really common one. You'd need a specimen to be 100% sure.

Torsten Dikow (who is a leading authority) has photos of a pair in cop. on his flickr site -

http://www.flickr...hotostream

Hope that helps,
Steve

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Looking at the pictured copula, the differences between the male below and the female above correspond to the differences between to two 'varieties' I photographed, so for now I'll add a cautionary note to the browner specimen and file her in with this one...

Thanks again.