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Archive/Bird Feeder Project/Bird identification/Birding/BirdPix/Birds

Red-faced Mousebird (Urocolius indicus)

Posted on 14/11/2022 by Bird Feeder Project: Karis Daniel & Megan Loftie-Eaton

Cover image by J. Jordaan – Addo Elephant National Park – BirdPix 31413 Red-faced Mousebird

Identification

The Red-faced Mousebird has a slaty-grey head and crest with a pale cinnamon forehead. As its name suggests, it has a distinctive red patch around its eyes which continues to the base of its bill. Its upperparts and long tail are blue-grey. The sexes are similar, but juveniles lack the crest and have a pale mask.

Identification guide to juvenile Red-faced Mousebird — Juvenile Red-faced Mousebirds. Left: BirdPix 44007- Anthony Paton, Klipriviersberg, Gauteng, 16 April 2015. Right: BirdPix 50184 – Tony Archer, Klerksdorp, North West, 19 February 2018.

In flight it gives a distinctive high-pitched melodious “ti-wii-wii” call.

There are two other species of mousebird in southern Africa, the Speckled Mousebird and the White-backed Mousebird.

Distribution

The Red-faced Mousebird occurs from southern Angola, Zambia and Malawi, through to southern Africa, where it is common in non-arid areas. The blue and green squares in the Southern African Bird Atlas Project (SABAP2) map below indicates the core of its range in South Africa.

Habitat

It generally prefers is savanna habitat with thickets, fynbos scrub, open woodland, as well as gardens and orchards.

Behaviour

Red-faced Mousebirds are almost always found in pairs or small groups. Their diet consists mainly of fruit, supplemented with nectar, flowers, and leaves. They typically forage in groups of 3-10, landing in trees and bushes in search of food.

More habitats for Red-faced Mousebirds — Frugivore! Eating some delicious fruits. Left: BirdPix 16370 – Pamela Kleiman, Steyterville, Eastern Cape, 17 March 2015. Top Right: BirdPix 20422 – Dewald du Plessis, Bloemfontein, Free State, 05 September 2006. Lower Right: BirdPix 57886 – Gregg Darling, St Francis Bay, Eastern Cape, 06 August 2018.

Mousebirds love taking a sand bath! They are social birds and often engage in allopreening.

Urocolius indicus having a sand bath — Having a good sand bath – BirdPix 72958 – Norman Barrett & Rajagopalan Padmanabhan, Lusaka, Zambia, 11 February 2019.

They breed throughout the year, but breeding activity peaks during spring and summer (September to February). The nest is a small cup of made of twigs, leaves and stems, and placed 2-8 metres above the ground in a tree or bush.

Red-faced Mousebirds lay 1-7 eggs, which are incubated by the male and female for 14-20 days. The chicks stay in the nest for 14-20 days after hatching, before becoming independent.

juvenile Red-faced Mousebird — Baby Red-faced Mousebird in the nest! – BirdPix 9108 – Pieter Cronje, Luanda, Angola, 30 July 2014.

Further Resources

Species text from the first Southern African Bird Atlas Project (SABAP1), 1997.

Virtual Museum (BirdPix > Search VM > By Scientific or Common Name).

More common names: Rooiwangmuisvoël (Afrikaans); Intshili (Xhosa); umTshivovo (Zulu); Fariki (South Sotho); Rotzügel-mausvogel (German); Roodwangmuisvogel (Dutch).

A list of bird species in this format is available here.

Recommended citation format: Loftie-Eaton M, Daniel KA 2022. Red-faced Mousebird Urocolius indicus. Bird Feeder Project. Biodiversity and Development Institute. Available online at https://thebdi.org/2022/11/14/red-faced-mousebird-urocolius-indicus/

Archive

Cueta mysteriosa

Posted on 11/11/2022 by Ryan Tippett

View the above photo record (by Alan Manson) in LacewingMAP here.

Cueta mysteriosa

(Gerstaecker, 1893)

Identification

Size: Small (Wingspan around 58mm)

Flesh-coloured antlions with dark brown patterning and stripes on the abdomen and thorax. The wings are clear with numerous, small dark brown speckles.

There are several other similar looking species in the genus.

Larvae: The larvae are pinkish and largely indistinguishable from those of other Cueta species.

*Cueta mysteriosa* – Near Hluhluwe, KwaZulu-Natal
Photo by Ryan Tippett

Habitat

Inhabits woodland, coastal forest, sand forest and woodlands, mainly on sandy soils, in the humid coastal region of north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal.

Behaviour

Adults are nocturnal and they are regularly attracted to lights. They are active during Summer and have been recorded from September to April.

The larvae are typical pit-builders and often construct their traps in the open.

*Cueta mysteriosa* – San Sebastian Nature Reserve, Mozambique
Photo by Rick Nuttall

Status and Distribution

In South Africa Cueta mysteriosa is largely confined to the coastal areas of KZN where it is fairly common. It extends further north through Mozambique (including Inhaca island) to Kenya.

Distribution of *Cueta mysteriosa*. Taken from the LacewingMAP database, November 2022.

Taxonomy

Order: Neuroptera Family: Myrmeleontidae Subfamily: Myrmeleontinae Tribe: Nesoleontini Genus: Cueta Species: mysteriosa

Further Resources

Virtual Museum (LacewingMAP > Search VM > By Scientific or Common Name)

Acknowledgements:

The use of photographs by Rick Nuttall is acknowledged. This species text has benefited enormously from comments made by Mervyn Mansell on records he has identified in LacewingMAP. We acknowledge his important contribution.

Recommended citation format for this species text:

Tippett RM 2022. Cueta mysteriosa. Biodiversity and Development Institute, Cape Town.
Available online at http://thebdi.org/2022/11/11/cueta-mysteriosa/

Archive/Bird Feeder Project/Bird identification/Birding/BirdPix/Birds

White-backed Mousebird (Colius colius)

Posted on 11/11/2022 by Bird Feeder Project: Karis Daniel & Megan Loftie-Eaton

Cover image: White-backed Mousebird by Ryan Tippett – BirdPix 103558 White-backed Mousebird

Identification

The White-backed Mousebird has a grey head, prominent crest, and grey upper parts and breast. It has a white stripe on its back which is flanked by two broad black stripes and a dark red, or maroon, transverse band at the base of its tail. The white stripe is not visible unless the wings are at least partly open. White-backed Mousebirds have bright pink legs and feet and a whitish bill with a black tip.

It has a whistled zwee-wewit call. It also has a buzzing or crackling call that might be for alarm or keeping in contact with the group.

There are two other species of mousebird in southern Africa, the Red-faced Mousebird and the Speckled Mousebird.

Distribution

It is a Near-endemic to southern Africa, occurring from south-western Angola to Namibia, western and central South Africa and southern Botswana. In the SABAP2 map below the blue and green squares represent the core of the White-backed Mousebird’s range in South Africa.

Habitat

The White-backed Mousebird generally prefers riverine habitat in sparse woodland areas. It can also be found in farmyards, gardens and orchards. In the Western Cape it is quite common in Port Jackson Acacia saligna and Rooikrans Acacia cyclops thickets.

White-backed Mousebird in a tree — BirdPix 222218 – Sharon Stanton, Helderberg Village, Somerset West, Western Cape, 05 June 2022.

Behaviour

The White-backed Mousebird is a frugivore which subsists on fruits, berries, leaves, seeds and nectar. Its fruit-eating habits are an important factor in spreading the seeds of indigenous berry-producing plants such as Halleria lucida.

Habitats for Colius colius — Left: BirdPix 117558 – Terry & Maria Terblanche, Twee Rivieren, Northern Cape, 16 August 2013. Right: BirdPix 85393 – Les Underhill, Melkbosstrand, Western Cape, 20 July 2019.

When breeding, the nest is built by both sexes, consisting of a small, shallow bowl of twigs, leaves and grass. It is often lined with fluffy seeds, down, and occasionally sheep’s wool. Egg-laying season is year-round, peaking from September-October.

White-backed Mousebirds are very social birds. During the day, they feed together in small groups and engage in allopreening. They also roost in groups at night. Their perching habits can be quite amusing; almost hanging from their legs rather than perching normally like most birds. It’s very common for them to grip different upright branches of a plant with each leg.

White-backed Mousebird in a shrub — Hanging in there – BirdPix 221622 – Itxaso Quintana, Laingsburg, Western Cape.

Further Resources

Species text from the first Southern African Bird Atlas Project (SABAP1), 1997.

Virtual Museum (BirdPix > Search VM > By Scientific or Common Name).

More common names: Witkruismuisvoël (Afrikaans); Letsôrô (Tswana); Coliou à dos blanc (French); Weißrücken-mausvogel (German); Witstuitmuisvogel (Dutch).

A list of bird species in this format is available here.

Recommended citation format: Loftie-Eaton M, Daniel KA 2022. White-backed Mousebird Colius colius. Bird Feeder Project. Biodiversity and Development Institute. Available online at http://thebdi.org/2022/11/11/white-backed-mousebird-colius-colius/

Archive/Bird Feeder Project/Bird identification/Birding/BirdPix/Birds/Citizen Science

Olive Thrush (Turdus olivaceus)

Posted on 10/11/2022 by Bird Feeder Project: Karis Daniel & Megan Loftie-Eaton

Cover image: Olive Thrush by Gregg Darling – BirdPix 28166 Olive Thrush

Identification

The Olive Thrush has a dark grey head, back, and tail, an orange belly, and a white rump. It has a yellow bill with a dark base and on its throat it has a white patch with dark streaks. Its legs and feet are orange. Males and females look alike. Juvenile birds are quite spotty and pale in colour.

Identification of juvenile Olive Thrush — Juvenile Olive Thrush – BirdPix 189934 – Marius Meiring, Keurbooms Forever Resort, Western Cape, 28 January 2021.

It has a wonderful melodious call! Take a listen here.

Distribution

The Olive Thrush is endemic to southern Africa, with the bulk of its distribution centred on South Africa’s eastern and southern coast. Its range extends into Lesotho and Limpopo Province, with a smaller population in Zimbabwe’s eastern highlands.

Habitat

It prefers riverine bush and montane forest. It has adapted to alien tree plantations, gardens, parks and fruit orchards. In particular, Olives Thrushes like well-shaded places with damp soil and moist leaf litter. They also love a bird bath!

Turdus olivaceus in the shrubs in the garden — Olive Thrush in the garden – BirdPix 237844 – Lia Steen, Shellybeach, KwaZulu-Natal, 03 October 2022.

Olive Thrush have a splash in the bath — Splish-splash I was taking a bath – BirdPix 193803 – George, Western Cape, 8 January 2012.

Behaviour

The Olive Thrush is a rather shy and unobtrusive bird. It can often be found in the quieter corners of a garden, under trees and bushes, while it is looking for food. Although you can encounter this species at any time of the day, you are most likely to see it at dawn or dusk, because that is the time when it is most active. So it can be described as crepuscular.

It mainly eats earthworms supplemented with insects. It also eats other invertebrates and fallen fruit. It does most of its foraging on the ground, flicking through leaf litter in search of prey.

Olive Thrushes are frugivores, and eat fruit such as apples — An apple a day keeps the doctor away – BirdPix 167131 – A. Collett, Wilderness, Western Cape, 16 June 2008.

The female builds a cup nest, typically up to 6 m above the ground in a tree. The Olive Thrush especially likes to nest in gardens, so keep an eye out! The two to three eggs are incubated mainly by the female for 14-15 days to hatching, and the chicks fledge after about another 16 days. The young ones remain dependent on their parents for up to two months after fledging!

Olive Thrushes in the nest — In the nest! – BirdPix 16489 – Doug Harbottle, Cape Town, Western Cape, 03 March 2015.

Further Resources

Species text from the first Southern African Bird Atlas Project (SABAP1), 1997.

Virtual Museum (BirdPix > Search VM > By Scientific or Common Name).

Other common names: Olyflyster (Afrikaans); Umswi (Xhosa); umuNswi (Zulu); Kaapse lijster (Dutch); Kapdrossel (German).

A list of bird species in this format is available here.

Recommended citation format: Loftie-Eaton M and Daniel KA 2022. Olive Thrush Turdus olivaceus. Bird Feeder Project. Biodiversity and Development Institute. Available online at http://thebdi.org/2022/11/09/olive-thrush-turdus-olivaceus/

Archive

Myrmeleon doralice

Posted on 10/11/2022 by Ryan Tippett

View the above photo record (by Ryan Tippett) in LacewingMAP here.

Myrmeleon doralice

Banks, 1911

Identification

Size: Small (Wingspan around 44mm)

Myrmeleon doralice is an attractive yellow, grey and black antlion. The wings are clear and slightly iridescent.

Larvae: The larvae are small and pinkish with relatively slender heads.

*Myrmeleon doralice –* Near Carnarvon, Northern Cape
Photo by Ryan Tippett

Typical *Myrmeleon* larvae – Boknesstrand, Eastern Cape
Photo by Zenobia van Dyk

Habitat

M. doralice can be found in a wide variety of habitat types but favours dry savannas and arid Karoo shrublands.

Behaviour

Adults are active during the summer months from November to May.

This species is readily attracted to lights.

Members of the genus Myrmeleon are considered to be the most primitive antlions.

The larvae walk backwards and are typical pit-builders. The pits are frequently located out in the open.

Typical *Myrmeleon* pit-fall traps – Near Graaf-Reinet, Eastern Cape
Photo by Dewald du Plessis

Status and Distribution

Myrmeleon doralice is Common and widespread throughout southern Africa, particularly in the drier regions. Beyond South Africa it is known to occur in Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Kenya.

Distribution of *Myrmeleon doralice*. Taken from the LacewingMAP database, November 2022.

Taxonomy

Order: Neuroptera Family: Myrmeleontidae Subfamily: Myrmeleontinae Tribe: Myrmeleontini (Pit-trapping Antlions) Genus: Myrmeleon Species: doralice

*Myrmeleon doralice* – Near Virginia, Free State
Photo by J. du Plooy

Further Resources

Virtual Museum (LacewingMAP > Search VM > By Scientific or Common Name)

Acknowledgements:

The use of photographs by Dewald du Plessis, J. du Plooy and Zenobia van Dyk is acknowledged. This species text has benefited enormously from comments made by Mervyn Mansell on records he has identified in LacewingMAP. We acknowledge his important contribution.

Recommended citation format for this species text:

Tippett RM 2022. Myrmeleon doralice. Biodiversity and Development Institute, Cape Town.
Available online at http://thebdi.org/2022/11/10/myrmeleon-doralice/

*Myrmeleon alcestris –* Near Cradock, Eastern Cape
Photo by Zenobia van Dyk

Bird Feeder Project/Bird identification/Birding/BirdPix/Birds/Citizen Science

Swee Waxbill (Coccopygia melanotis)

Posted on 09/11/2022 by Bird Feeder Project: Karis Daniel & Megan Loftie-Eaton

Identification

The Swee Waxbill is 9–10 cm long with a grey head and breast, pale yellow-grey belly, olive back and wings, red lower back and rump, and a black tail. The upper mandible of its bill is black and the lower red. The male has a black face, but the female’s face is grey. Juveniles are much duller than the female and have an all-black bill.

Swee Waxbill (male) – BirdPix 58249 – Gregg Darling, Patensie, Eastern Cape Province, 11 August 2018. Swee Waxbill (female) – BirdPix 7129 – Des Darling, Hankey, Eastern Cape Province, 29 March 2014.

Distribution

The Swee Waxbill is endemic to southern Africa, occurring from Limpopo Province in South Africa south through Swaziland and south-western Mozambique and all along the coastal region of South Africa to the Western Cape Province. Its distribution in South Africa is displayed in the SABAP2 map below.

Habitat

It generally prefers edges of montane and coastal forest, wooded valleys in fynbos, bushy hillsides, grassy clearings in woodland, alien tree plantations, and gardens. They are often found in groups while foraging for food.

Swee Waxbills at the bird feeder – BirdPix 176837 – Robyn Kadis, Franschhoek, Western Cape, 28 July 2021.

Feeding on grass seeds – Harold Porter Botanical Garden – BirdPix 213713 – Gerald Wingate, Betty’s Bay, Western Cape, 12 March 2022.

Behaviour

It mainly eats seeds which it usually eats directly off of grasses. They supplement their diet with insects caught on the ground and in vegetation.

Foraging on the lawn – BirdPix 125308 – Andrew Kruger, Underberg, KwaZulu-Natal, 02 July 2016.

Egg-laying season is from October to April. Both sexes build the nest, consisting of an oval-shaped structure with a side-top entrance. They use dry grass to build the nest and then line it with soft grass inflorescences, feathers, and other plant material. The nest is typically placed in a tree, bush, garden pergola, or Aloe.

The chicks are fed by both parents, leaving the nest after about 19-22 days, becoming fully independent about 15-19 days later.

Swee Waxbill nest in an Aloe – University of Cape Town campus – BirdPix 31043 – Dieter Oschadleus, Cape Town, Western Cape, 06 October 2016.

Further Resources

Species text from the first Southern African Bird Atlas Project (SABAP1), 1997.

Virtual Museum (BirdPix > Search VM > By Scientific or Common Name).

More common names: Suidelike Swie (Afrikaans); Xidzingirhi (Tsonga); ubuSukuswane (Zulu); Astrild à joues noires (French); Gelbbauchastrild (German); Groenrugastrild (Dutch).

A list of bird species in this format is available here.

Recommended citation format: Loftie-Eaton M and Daniel KA 2022. Swee Waxbill Coccopygia melanotis. Bird Feeder Project. Biodiversity and Development Institute. Available Online at http://thebdi.org/2022/11/08/swee-waxbill-coccopygia-melanotis/

Archive

Myrmeleon alcestris

Posted on 09/11/2022 by Ryan Tippett

View the above photo record (by Ryan Tippett) in LacewingMAP here.

Myrmeleon alcestris

Banks, 1911

Identification

Size: Small (Wingspan around 44mm)

Myrmeleon alcestris is a very characteristic Myrmeleon owing to the black markings in the wings. The dark patches are especially conspicuous when the wings are folded at rest. This species also has a fairly distinctive abdomen pattern especially when seen from above.

Larvae: The larvae are small with relatively slender heads.

*Myrmeleon alcestris –* Near Carnarvon, Northern Cape
Photo by Ryan Tippett

Habitat

M. obscurus ocurrs in a wide variety of habitat types and has been recorded from most terrestrial biomes in South Africa.

Behaviour

Adults are most active during the summer months from October to April, but have been recorded throughout the year in the warmer parts of South Africa.

Frequently attracted to lights.

Members of the genus Myrmeleon are considered to be the most primitive antlions.

The larvae walk backwards and are typical pit-builders. The pits are frequently located out in the open.

Status and Distribution

Myrmeleon alcestris is common across its range. It is widespread in South Africa and is present in all provinces. The species extends into Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe.

Distribution of *Myrmeleon alcestris*. Taken from the LacewingMAP database, November 2022.

Taxonomy

Order: Neuroptera Family: Myrmeleontidae Subfamily: Myrmeleontinae Tribe: Myrmeleontini (Pit-trapping Antlions) Genus: Myrmeleon Species: alcestris

Further Resources

Virtual Museum (LacewingMAP > Search VM > By Scientific or Common Name)

Acknowledgements:

The use of photographs by Aletta Liebenberg, Dewald du Plessis and Zenobia van Dyk is acknowledged. This species text has benefited enormously from comments made by Mervyn Mansell on records he has identified in LacewingMAP. We acknowledge his important contribution.

Recommended citation format for this species text:

Tippett RM 2022. Myrmeleon alcestris. Biodiversity and Development Institute, Cape Town.
Available online at http://thebdi.org/2022/11/09/myrmeleon-alcestris/

*Myrmeleon alcestris –* Danielskuil, Northern Cape
Photo by Aletta Liebenberg

Archive

Macroleon quinquemaculatus

Posted on 08/11/2022 by Ryan Tippett

View the above photo record (by Gary Brown) in LacewingMAP here.

Macroleon quinquemaculatus

(Hagen, 1853)

Identification

Size: Medium sized (Wingspan around 60mm)

These antlions have mostly brown coloured bodies and show conspicuous dark bands across the abdomen. The wings are clear with diagnostic white pterostigmas.

Larvae: The larvae are pale coloured and resemble those of other pit-building species.

*Macroleon quinquemaculatus* – Scottburgh, KwaZulu-Natal
Photo by Peter Vos

Habitat

Macroleon quinquemaculatus inhabits savanna woodland and forest regions. Adults are can be found among tall grass in the dappled light beneath trees.

Behaviour

The adults are nocturnal and spend the day resting among tall grass or other vegetation and may often be found on the underside of branches. Macroleon quinquemaculatus is frequently attracted to light.

It is the largest pit building species in the Afrotropics and the pits are always in very well sheltered situations, especially under buildings. Adults sometimes form aggregations, aligning themselves along branches.

In South Africa adults are on the wing from October to April.

*Macroleon quinquemaculatus* – Malawi
Photo by Gary Brown

*Macroleon quinquemaculatus* – Near Hluhluwe, KwaZulu-Natal
Photo by Ryan Tippett

Status and Distribution

This species is common and quite widespread in South Africa. Ranges from the Western Cape northwards through KwaZulu-Natal and up to Limpopo. It is absent from the drier western areas. Macroleon quinquemaculatus extends far into Africa, across all countries as far north as Liberia and Ethiopia. It is also found on Madagascar.

Distribution of *Macroleon quinquemaculatus*. Taken from the LacewingMAP database, October 2022.

Taxonomy:

Order: Neuroptera Family: Myrmeleontidae Subfamily: Myrmeleontinae Tribe: Myrmeleontini Genus: Macroleon Species: quinquemaculatus

Further Resources

Virtual Museum (LacewingMAP > Search VM > By Scientific or Common Name)

Acknowledgements:

The use of photographs by Gary Brown and Peter Vos is acknowledged. This species text has benefited enormously from comments made by Mervyn Mansell on records he has identified in LacewingMAP. We acknowledge his important contribution.

Recommended citation format for this species text:

Tippett RM 2022. Macroleon quinquemaculatus. Biodiversity and Development Institute, Cape Town.
Available online at http://thebdi.org/2022/11/08/macroleon-quinquemaculatus/

Archive/Bird Feeder Project/Bird identification/Birding/BirdPix/Birds

Southern Grey-headed Sparrow (Passer diffusus)

Posted on 08/11/2022 by Bird Feeder Project: Karis Daniel & Megan Loftie-Eaton

Cover image by Gregg Darling – BirdPix 20396

Identification

As its name suggests the Grey-headed Sparrow has a grey head and face with pale grey underparts. Its wings are reddish-brown and darker brown towards the wing tips. It has a distinctive white spot on its shoulders and a white patch under its tail. Males and females are alike. When breeding their bills turn black.

Main photo – BirdPix 29710 – Gregg & Desire Darling, Oyster Bay, Eastern Cape, 18 September 2016. Inset photo – BirdPix 82313 – Anthony Archer, Klerskdorp, North West Province, 22 June 2019.

Distribution

The Southern Grey-headed Sparrow occurs from western and southern Angola through Zambia to southern Africa, where it is fairly common across much of the region, excluding the arid west of Namibia and the arid parts of South Africa. In South Africa it is most common towards the eastern half of the country.

Habitat

It generally prefers savanna woodland, especially with Acacia trees. It also occupies dry broad-leaved woodland, plantation edges, cultivated land and gardens.

BirdPix 234590 – Johan and Estelle van Rooyen, Namutoni Camp, Etosha National Park, Namibia, 17 June 2022.

Behaviour

Southern Grey-headed Sparrows eat seeds, fruit, nectar and insects, doing most of their foraging on the ground. They are often in flocks with other granivorous (seed-eating) birds.

At the bird feeder – BirdPix 230695 – Pamela Kleinman, Underberg, KwaZulu-Natal, 08 July 2022.

Breeding season is from September to June, peaking from about December to April. The nest is built by both sexes. It consists of a simple pad of grass, leaf petioles, weed stems, hair, and feathers. The nest is typically placed in a tree cavity, or in a hole in a wall, a hollow fence post, nest box, under the eaves of a building, or in an old swallow or swift nest.

The chicks are brooded and fed by both adults on a diet of insects. The chicks leave the nest after about 16-19 days. The fledglings remain dependent on their parents for about 14-21 days more, but they still roost in the nest for a further 13-20 days.

Adult with chick – BirdPix 238874 – Lia Steen, Shellybeach, KwaZulu-Natal, 26 October 2022.

Further Resources

Species text from the first Southern African Bird Atlas Project (SABAP1), 1997.

Virtual Museum (BirdPix > Search VM > By Scientific or Common Name).

More common names: Gryskopmossie (Afrikaans); Serobele (South Sotho); Moineau sud-africain (French); Graukopfsperling (German).

Recommended citation format: Loftie-Eaton M and Daniel KA 2022. Southern Grey-headed Sparrow Passer diffusus. Bird Feeder Project. Biodiversity and Development Institute. Available Online at http://thebdi.org/2022/11/08/southern-grey-headed-sparrow-passer-diffusus/

Archive

Crambomorphus sinuatus

Posted on 08/11/2022 by Ryan Tippett

View the above photo record (by Erlo Brown) in LacewingMAP here.

Crambomorphus sinuatus

(Olivier, 1811)

Identification

Size: Very Large (Wingspan up to 122mm)

Crambomorphus sinuatus is a magnificent antlion species. The head and thorax are grey and rather hairy while the abdomen is brick-red in colouration.

The forewings are mostly grey with a complex mix of black and white markings. The hindwings are black with a characteristic arrangement of white spots and blotches. The trailing edge of the wings are sinuous and end in a hooked tip.

Larvae: The larvae are very large and plain black-grey in colour.

*Crambomorphus sinuatus* – Near Williston, Northern Cape
Photo by Ryan Tippett

*Crambomorphus sinuatus* – Bushmanskloof, Western Cape
Photo by Zenobia van Dyk

Habitat

C. sinuatus inhabits the open, arid shrublands of the Nama Karoo in flat or hilly terrain.

Behaviour

Adults are nocturnal and often rest in a hanging position among the protective branches of larger bushes. They are sometimes attracted to lights.

Adults are active during late summer and have been recorded from December to February.

The large blackish larvae live freely in sand and are ambush hunters. They are fearsome predators and feed mainly on other arthropods.

Status and Distribution

Crambomorphus sinuatus is an uncommon species and is endemic to South Africa. Its distribution is largely centred in the Karoo and Namaqualand.

Distribution of *Crambomorphus sinuatus*. Taken from the LacewingMAP database, October 2022.

Taxonomy

Order: Neuroptera Family: Myrmeleontidae Subfamily: Palparinae Tribe: Palparini Genus: Crambomorphus Species: sinuatus

*Crambomorphus sinuatus –* Near Carnarvon, Northern Cape
Photo by Zenobia van Dyk

Further Resources

Virtual Museum (LacewingMAP > Search VM > By Scientific or Common Name)

Acknowledgements:

The use of photographs by Alex Dreyer, Katharina Reddig and Niall Perrins is acknowledged. This species text has benefited enormously from comments made by Mervyn Mansell on records he has identified in LacewingMAP. We acknowledge his important contribution.

Recommended citation format for this species text:

Tippett RM 2022. Crambomorphus sinuatus. Biodiversity and Development Institute, Cape Town.
Available online at http://thebdi.org/2022/11/08/crambomorphus-sinuatus/