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

Pied Crow (Corvus albus)

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

Cover image: Pied Crow by Trevor Hardaker – BirdPix 16860

Identification

The Pied Crow is an unmistakable, vocal and conspicuous species, unlikely to be overlooked or misidentified. Pied Crows get their name due to their pied plumage. Pied means having two or more colours, and in this case, it is black and white.

As its name suggests, its glossy black head and neck are interrupted by a large area of white feathering from the shoulders down to the lower breast. Their eyes are dark brown and their legs, feet and bill are black. The bill is long and slightly hooked. Both sexes are similar and have no differences in their plumage.

Identification of Pied Crow — Main photo – BirdPix 79602 – Karis Daniel, Hanover, Northern Cape, 25 May 2019. Inset photo – BirdPix 91000 – Alexander Wirth, Camps Bay, Western Cape, 14 July 2019.

Distribution

It occurs across most of sub-Saharan Africa, but is absent from, or rare, in the central and western forests. It has become prolific, its numbers and range are expanding especially in the Karoo region of South Africa as can be seen in the SABAP2 distribution map below.

The contrast between being abundant in the wheat-growing area north of Cape Town (the Swartland) and scarce on the wheat-growing area east of Cape Town (the Overberg) is striking. This contrast is thought to be diet-related, but has not been explained. In fact the overall pattern of the distribution remains a puzzle. If you compare this distribution map with that of the Cape Crow, there are areas where either one of the two species predominates, areas where they both occur, and areas where neither occurs.

Habitat

Pied Crows prefer open savanna woodland, bushy shrubland, and grassland with scattered trees. It is becoming more and more common in farmland, urban, and suburban areas. They are highly adaptive and don’t mind foraging in villages, towns, and cities and often visit rubbish dumps and bins.

Behaviour

The Pied Crow is an omnivorous bird. It mainly feeds on plant material such as fruit and seeds, but also readily eats reptiles (such as tortoises), small mammals, fish, insects and other birds.

Pied Crows are usually seen in pairs or small groups, but they can congregate in large numbers at communal roosts or at good food sources, e.g. refuse dumps and large mammal carcasses.

Corvus albus — Pied Crows and a Lappet-faced Vulture feeding on a carcass – BirdPix 13715 – John Fincham, Opuwo, Namibia, 23 September 2013.

During breeding, both the female and the male construct the nest, which is a large bowl made of twigs, sometimes including bits of wire. The nest is then lined with fur, dry dung, rags or sheep wool. It is usually placed in the vertical fork of a tall tree, such as a pine, Eucalyptus, cypress or palm. It also commonly places it on the top of a telephone pole, especially in more open areas, such as the Karoo.

Pied Crow nest on telephone pole — Pied Crow at its nest on a telephone pole – BirdPix 26220 – Les Underhill, Lamberts Bay, Western Cape, 28 April 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: Witborskraai (Afrikaans); Igwangwa (Xhosa); iGwababa (Zulu); Corbeau Pie (French); Schildrabe (German); Schildraaf (Dutch).

Recommended citation format: Loftie-Eaton M and Daniel KA 2022. Pied Crow Corvus albus. Bird Feeder Project. Biodiversity and Development Institute. Available Online at http://thebdi.org/2022/11/08/pied-crow-corvus-albus/

List of bird species in this format is available here.

Archive

Cymothales exilis

Posted on 07/11/2022 by Ryan Tippett

View the above photo record (by Bart Wursten) in LacewingMAP here.

Cymothales exilis

Mansell, 1987

Identification

Size: Small-Medium sized (Wingspan around 56mm)

Delicate and beautiful antlions with very long, slender legs. The wings are iridescent with intricate black/brown markings. The hind wings end in elegant pointed tips.

Larvae: The larvae of Cymothales exilis are unknown.

*Cymothales exilis* – Sofala, Mozambique
Photo by Bart Wursten

Habitat

Cymothales exilis inhabits hot, humid woodlands in the tropics and subtropics.

Behaviour

Like others in the genus Cymothales exilis likely rests among grass or other vegetation where it is well camouflaged. Adults are readily attracted to lights and are recorded from October to May.

The life history of the larval stage is unknown, but other species of Cymothales live in detritus in tree holes or on rock ledges. This species probably does the same.

Status and Distribution

Cymothales exilis is fairly widespread in southern, central and eastern Africa, but is very rare. It is known from South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Kenya and Malawi.

Distribution of *Cymothales exilis*. Taken from the LacewingMAP database, October 2022.

Taxonomy:

Order: Neuroptera Family: Myrmeleontidae Subfamily: Dendroleontinae Tribe: Dendroleontini Genus: Cymothales Species: exilis

Further Resources

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

Acknowledgements:

The use of photographs by Bart Wursten 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. Cymothales exilis. Biodiversity and Development Institute, Cape Town.
Available online at http://thebdi.org/2022/11/07/cymothales-exilis/

Archive/Bird ringing/Birding/Birds/News

BDI Bird Ringing Course at New Holme, Hanover: 30 October to 6 November 2022

Posted on 07/11/2022 by Dieter Oschadleus

The second BDI bird ringing course at New Holme Lodge, in the KhoiSan Karoo Conservancy, has been completed. (Here is the blog about the first course!) Eight attendees had an exciting week of ringing new species, enjoying birding, going on a night drive, and tasting excellent meals! Some special birds seen included Osprey, Jacobin Cuckoo and Melodious Lark. (Cover photo: Little Stint)

Bird in mistnet at BDI bird ringing course at New Holme — Cape Sparrow treasure at the end of the rainbow

The total number of birds caught was nearly 500 birds of an amazing 30 species. The top species caught was the Southern Red Bishop (162), followed by Cape Sparrow (119), and Southern Masked-Weaver (98). The weavers were actively breeding, with most females having brood patches. The bishops were preparing to breed, with lots of activity.

On our way to New Holme, we visited Rietaar farm where we were able to ring some Barn Owl chicks (5 of 9 nestlings were large enough for ringing). At New Holme we also ringed 3 Hoopoe chicks from a tree hole cavity – at least 2 more chicks could not be reached. A family of Common Fiscals, including 4 juveniles, was caught in the mistnets.

Wattled Starlings were seen in the fields, but not near the homestead where most ringing was done. But we did catch some Pied Starlings and the resident pair of Cape Glossy Starlings.

Cape Glossy Starlings at BDI bird ringing course at New Holme — A pair of Cape Glossy Starlings

A day of ringing in the karoo veld did not produce many birds because of high winds. We also experienced some unseasonal thunder showers with lots of rain on one or two afternoons, but still had exceptional numbers of birds when it wasn’t raining.

We visited neighbouring farm, Mielefontein, where we caught a good number of birds. The potential is great, with many interesting species seen, including 3 Painted Snipe.

To join a ringing course, see dates and contact person here.

Table of ringing totals, KhoiSan Karoo Conservancy, 30 October to 6 November 2022

Sp no	Species	Ringed+Retrapped	Rietaar	Mieliefontein	New Holme	Retraps
238	Three-banded Plover	1			1
253	Little Stint	2			2
316	Ring-necked Dove	1			1
359	Barn Owl	5	5
383	White-rumped Swift	3			3	1
391	White-backed Mousebird	3			3	2
418	African Hoopoe	4			4
502	Greater Striped Swallow	5			5
506	Rock Martin	1			1
509	Brown-throated Martin	2			2
544	African Red-eyed Bulbul	2			2
570	Familiar Chat	2			2
581	Cape Robin-Chat	4		1	3	1
604	Lesser Swamp-Warbler	4			4	2
606	African Reed-Warbler	19		7	12	5
686	Cape Wagtail	1			1
707	Southern Fiscal	10		1	9	2
722	Bokmakierie	3			3	2
737	Cape Glossy Starling	2			2
746	African Pied Starling	8			8	3
784	House Sparrow	1			1
786	Cape Sparrow	110		3	107	18
803	Southern Masked-Weaver	98		11	87	21
805	Red-billed Quelea	28			28
808	Southern Red Bishop	162		6	156	13
865	White-throated Canary	1			1
1104	Karoo Thrush	4			4	3
1172	Cape White-eye	5		4	1	1
4139	Karoo Prinia	1			1	1
4142	Southern Grey-headed Sparrow	6		1	5
	TOTALS	498	5	34	459	75

Thanks to all the staff at New Holme Lodge for hosting us so well!

Well done to Karis who can now be upgraded from trainee to ringer!

Details of all future BDI bird-ringing courses in Events on the BDI website. We plan to do a bird ringing course at New Holme annually, probably in September.

Link to the previous course, in September 2022, a month earlier. The course in September 2023 has two blogs: Part 1 and Part 2.

Sunset at New Holme — A stunning sunset over the New Holme in the KhoiSan Karoo Conservancy.

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

Speckled Pigeon (Columba guinea)

Posted on 07/11/2022 by Bird Feeder Project: Karis Daniel & Megan Loftie-Eaton

Cover image. Speckled Pigeon by Gregg Darling – BirdPix 46904

Identification

This is a large pigeon at 41 cm in length. Its back and wings are reddish-brown, the latter heavily speckled with white spots. The rest of the upperparts and underparts are blue-grey, and the head is grey with prominent red patches around the eye. The neck is brownish, streaked with white, and the legs are red. Sexes are similar, but juveniles are browner than adults and lack the red eye patches. The call is a loud doo-doo-doo.

Distribution

The Speckled Pigeon is common throughout most of South Africa, except for the lowveld (eastern and northern South Africa) and the coast of KwaZulu-Natal Province.

Habitat

The Speckled Pigeon is common across southern Africa, especially in South Africa. It usually prefers rocky, mountainous areas with cliffs and gorges, but it can also be found near buildings and in gardens.

Columba guinea — Speckled Pigeon on a rocky ledge – BirdPix 215730 – Jon Blanco, Camdeboo National Park, Eastern Cape, 08 April 2022.

Behaviour

It feeds mostly on seeds, rarely eating small fruits and flowers. It typically forages on the ground, usually on farmland, lawns or roads. They can gather in large numbers, especially agricultural fields, where grain or groundnuts are available.

The Speckled Pigeon builds its own nest, with the male collecting material and giving it to the female, who then puts it into the nest. This consists of a collection of twigs, grass, herbs and sometimes wire and nails. The nest is usually built on cliff ledges, in caves, gullies, or often in buildings.

Speckled Pigeon nests – Photo left: BirdPix 21036 – Dieter Oschadleus, Robben Island, Western Cape, 03 October 2015. Photo right: BirdPix 11544 – Graham Bull, Langebaan, Western Cape, 25 October 2014.

Breeding takes place year round. The female lays 1-3 eggs which both parents incubate in shifts for about 15 days. The chicks are brooded for the first six days of their lives, after which brooding ceases. The nestling period is highly variable depending on the environment, ranging from 21-37 days.

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: Kransduif (Afrikaans); Ivukuthu (Xhosa); iVukuthu (Zulu); Gespikkelde Duif (Dutch); Guineataube (German).

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

Recommended citation format: Loftie-Eaton M, Daniel KA 2022. Speckled Pigeon Columba guinea. Bird Feeder Project. Biodiversity and Development Institute. Available online at http://thebdi.org/2022/11/07/speckled-pigeon-columba-guinea/

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

Bokmakierie (Telophorus zeylonus)

Posted on 01/11/2022 by Bird Feeder Project: Karis Daniel & Megan Loftie-Eaton

Cover image: Bokmakierie by Dave Rimmer – BirdPix 21605

Identification

The Bokmakierie is a species of bushshrike, belonging to the Family Malaconotidae. This family of passerine birds is closely related to the true shrikes in the family Laniidae, and was once included in that group. This species is endemic to southern Africa, mainly in South Africa and Namibia, with an isolated population in the mountains of eastern Zimbabwe and western Mozambique.

Bokmakieries are brightly coloured, with an eye-catching black throat band which contrasts with the bright yellow throat and eye-stripe. The top of the head is grey. The back and rump are olive green. The lower breast and belly are bright yellow, with grey flanks.

The tail pattern is striking. The tail feathers are black with broad yellow tips forming a band at the end of the tail. The central tail feathers, from base to tip are olive-green. This tail pattern is useful for indentification when the bird is flying away from you.

The bill is strong with a hooked tip and the legs are dark grey. The sexes are alike in plumage.

Distribution

Near endemic to southern Africa, it occurs across most of South Africa but excluding much of Limpopo Province, and extending into southern and western Namibia and south-western Angola.

Habitat

It occupies a variety of habitats, however it prefers open areas with scattered shrubs and trees. It is abundant in the Karoo, Fynbos and Grassland Biomes, where it occupies scrubby habitat, and is commonly found in the Grassy Karoo among low bushes in association with rocky outcrops. The Bokmakierie is also a common garden bird in urban areas throughout its Succulent Karoo range.

Photo left – BirdPix 107842: Itxaso Quintana, Hanover, Northern Cape. Photo right – BirdPix 106917: Karis Daniel, Johan and Estelle van Rooyen, Stilbaai, Western Cape.

Enjoying the bird bath! – BirdPix 114623: Karina Zeelie, Stilbaai, Western Cape.

Behaviour

It is usually encountered in pairs. It is a conspicuous species owing to its bright coloration and its loud and frequent calls.

The Bokmakierie is an opportunistic feeder, it mainly eats insects but may also feed on lizards, snakes, birds and fruit. It catches most of its prey on the ground, rapidly pursuing before stunning and then eating them. It also gleans insects from leaves and branches and occasionally hawks prey aerially.

A selection of prey items. Photos from left to right – BirdPix 126464: Terry & Maria Terblanche, Stilbaai, Western Cape. BirdPix 125511: Cobus Elstadt, Humansdorp, Eastern Cape. BirdPix 89642: Gerald Wingate, Darling, Western Cape.

Breeding occurs mostly in spring/summer. Both sexes construct the nest, which is a cup made of small twigs, leaves, roots, tendrils, grass and bark, sometimes incorporating man-made materials such as twine, paper and cardboard. It is usually placed in a dense shrub, concealed by thick vegetation. Egg-laying season is year-round, peaking during August.

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: Bokmakierie (Afrikaans); Ingqwangi (Xhosa); iNkovu (Zulu); Gladiateur bacbakiri (French); Pjempjete (South Sotho).

Recommended citation format: Loftie-Eaton M and Daniel KA 2022. Bokmakierie Telophorus zeylonus. Bird Feeder Project. Biodiversity and Development Institute. Available Online at http://thebdi.org/2022/08/18/bokmakierie-telophorus-zeylonus/

List of bird species in this format is available here.

Archive

Cymothales bouvieri

Posted on 28/10/2022 by Ryan Tippett

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

Cymothales bouvieri

van der Weele, 1907

Identification

Size: Small-Medium sized (Wingspan around 56mm)

One of Africa’s most exquisite and delicate antlions.

All members of the genus are beautiful antlions with very long, slender legs. The wings are iridescent with intricate brown and black markings. The hind wings end in elegant pointed tips.

*Cymothales bouvieri* – Monzi, KwaZulu-Natal
Photo by Toy Bodbijl

Habitat

Cymothales bouvieri inhabits humid, tropical and subtropical savanna regions.

Behaviour

The delicate patterned wings provide camouflage while resting among dry twigs and branches. Adults are sometimes attracted to lights and are active from October to May.

Larvae live in detritus in tree holes, and are often found in small cavities in baobab trees.

Status and Distribution

Cymothales bouvieri is widely distributed from northern South Africa, to Kenya and across to Madagascar. In South Africa it is recorded from the Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal Provinces. This is an uncommon species.

Distribution of *Cymothales bouvieri*. Taken from the LacewingMAP database, October 2022.

Taxonomy:

Order: Neuroptera Family: Myrmeleontidae Subfamily: Dendroleontinae Tribe: Dendroleontini Genus: Cymothales Species: bouvieri

Further Resources

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

Acknowledgements:

The use of photographs by Gary Brown and Toy Bodbijl 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. Cymothales bouvieri. Biodiversity and Development Institute, Cape Town.
Available online at http://thebdi.org/2022/10/28/cymothales-bouvieri/

Archive

Cymothales poultoni

Posted on 28/10/2022 by Ryan Tippett

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

Cymothales poultoni

(Navás, 1913)

Identification

Size: Small-Medium sized (Wingspan around 56mm)

Delicate and exquisite antlions with long, slender legs. The wings are iridescent with intricate brown markings. The hind wings end in elegant pointed tips. Cymothales poultoni is easily identified by its long antennae (other Cymothales antlions have noticeably shorter antennae) and pale prothorax.

*Cymothales poultoni* – Lusaka Province, Zambia
Photo by Norman Barrett

*Cymothales poultoni –* Near Blantyre, Malawi
Photo by Gary Brown

Larvae: The larvae of Cymothales poultoni are unknown.

Habitat

Cymothales poultoni inhabits warm savanna regions in south-central Africa.

Behaviour

It normally rests well camouflaged among grass or other vegetation. Adults are readily attracted to lights and are on the wing during late Summer from January to May.

The life history of the larval stage is unknown, but other species of Cymothales live in detritus in tree holes or on rock ledges. This species is likely to do the same.

Status and Distribution

Cymothales poultoni is very widespread in southern and central Africa, recorded from DRC, Malawi, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. In South Africa it is known from the Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West provinces.

Although widespread, Cymothales poultoni is very uncommon.

Distribution of *Cymothales poultoni*. Taken from the LacewingMAP database, October 2022.

Taxonomy:

Order: Neuroptera Family: Myrmeleontidae Subfamily: Dendroleontinae Tribe: Dendroleontini Genus: Cymothales Species: poultoni

Further Resources

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

Acknowledgements:

The use of photographs by Gary Brown and Norman Barrett 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. Cymothales poultoni. Biodiversity and Development Institute, Cape Town.
Available online at http://thebdi.org/2022/10/28/cymothales-poultoni/

Archive

Cymothales illustris

Posted on 24/10/2022 by Ryan Tippett

View the above photo record (by Zenobia van Dyk) in LacewingMAP here.

Cymothales illustris

(Navás, 1913)

Identification

Size: Small-Medium sized (Wingspan around 56mm)

Delicate and beautiful antlions with very long, slender legs. The wings are iridescent with intricate brown markings. The hind wings end in elegant pointed tips.

*Cymothales illustris* – Near Carnarvon, Northern Cape
Photo by Ryan Tippett

*Cymothales illustris –* Near Pofadder, Northern Cape
Photo by Vaughan Jessnitz

Larvae: The larvae of Cymothales illustris are unknown.

Habitat

Cymothales illustris inhabits arid regions. It is found in karroid scrublands as well as arid kalahari woodland and other dry woodland types.

Behaviour

It normally rests well camouflaged among grass or other vegetation. Adults are readily attracted to lights and are recorded from October to May.

They are known to prey on various flying insects including other antlions.

The life history of the larval stage is unknown, but other species of Cymothales live in detritus in tree holes or on rock ledges. This species is likely to do the same.

*Cymothales illustris* consuming Creoleon sp. – Near Carnarvon, Northern Cape
Photo by Ryan Tippett

Status and Distribution

Cymothales illustris is fairly common in the drier western parts of Southern Africa, unlike others in the genus that occur in the northern and eastern regions. It is also found in Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe.

Distribution of *Cymothales illustris*. Taken from the LacewingMAP database, October 2022.

Taxonomy:

Order: Neuroptera Family: Myrmeleontidae Subfamily: Dendroleontinae Tribe: Dendroleontini Genus: Cymothales Species: illustris

*Cymothales illustris –* Near Carnarvon, Northern Cape
Photo by Karis Daniel

Further Resources

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

Acknowledgements:

The use of photographs by Karis Daniel, Vaughan Jessnitz 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. Cymothales illustris. Biodiversity and Development Institute, Cape Town.
Available online at http://thebdi.org/2022/10/24/cymothales-illustris/

Archive

Centroclisis brachygaster

Posted on 21/10/2022 by Ryan Tippett

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

Centroclisis brachygaster

(Rambur, 1842)

Identification

Size: Large sized (Wingspan around 100mm)

The adults are pale grey hirsute antlions with stout bodies. The wings are relatively short and broad with rounded tips. This species can be recognised by the combination of the red abdomen and the black line that runs through the middle of each fore-wing.

Note that this genus is taxonomically complex and requires some revision.

*Centroclisis brachygaster* – Near Hluhluwe, KwaZulu-Natal
Photo by Ryan Tippett

Larvae: Not much is known about the larvae of this species, although it is likely to resemble the larvae of other Centroclisis spp.

Centroclisis larvae are large and dark coloured. They have relatively short yet robust jaws.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Centroclisis-sp.-700x468.jpg — *Centroclisis sp.* Larvae – Ponta du ouro, Mozambique
Photo by Len de Beer

Habitat

Centroclisis brachygaster occupies a wide range of woodland habitats, mostly in warm savanna regions.

Behaviour

Adults are sluggish and normally rest against tree bark where they are very well camouflaged. They are commonly known as ‘Bark Antlions’.

Centroclisis brachygaster is readily attracted to light. Adults are recorded during Summer from October to February.

As in other Centroclis species, the large, dark larvae are voracious predators, which inhabit loose sand. They come to the surface at night to lie in wait for prey. They ambush their prey and do not construct pit-fall traps.

Status and Distribution

This species is very widespread in southern and central Africa, from South Africa to DRC and including all of the southern African countries.

Centroclisis brachygaster is fairly common and widespread in South Africa.

Distribution of *Centroclisis brachygaster*. Taken from the LacewingMAP database, July 2022.

Taxonomy:

Order: Neuroptera Family: Myrmeleontidae Genus: Centroclisis Species: brachygaster

Further Resources

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

Acknowledgements:

The use of photographs by Len de Beer 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. Centroclisis brachygaster. Biodiversity and Development Institute, Cape Town.
Available online at http://thebdi.org/2022/10/21/centroclisis-brachygaster/

Archive

Centroclisis maligna

Posted on 12/10/2022 by Ryan Tippett

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

Centroclisis maligna

(Navás, 1912)

Identification

Size: Medium sized (Wingspan around 90mm)

It is characterized by the rufous colouration on the head and thorax. The adults are hairy and have dark abdomens with yellow bands above.

*Centroclisis maligna* – Near Carnarvon, Northern Cape
Photo by Ryan Tippett

Larvae: The large, dark coloured larvae have relatively short jaws with three mandibular teeth. They resemble the larvae of other Centroclisis species.

*Centroclisis sp.* Larvae – Ponta du ouro, Mozambique
Photo by Len de Beer

Habitat

Centroclisis maligna inhabits arid regions. It is found in both the Summer and Winter rainfall parts of the Karoo.

Behaviour

It normally rests well camouflaged on bark, and is readily attracted to lights. Adults are recorded from October to May but most records are from late Summer (January to April).

The robust larvae live freely in sand and do not construct pitfall traps

Status and Distribution

Centroclisis maligna is fairly common and widespread throughout the drier western parts of southern Africa. It is also found in Namibia and Botswana.

Distribution of *Centroclisis maligna*. Taken from the LacewingMAP database, July 2022.

Taxonomy:

Order: Neuroptera Family: Myrmeleontidae Genus: Centroclisis Species: maligna

Further Resources

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

Acknowledgements:

The use of photographs by Len De Beer 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. Centroclisis maligna. Biodiversity and Development Institute, Cape Town.
Available online at http://thebdi.org/2022/10/12/centroclisis-maligna/