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Palpares inclemens

Posted on 18/08/2022 by Ryan Tippett

View the above photo record (by Douglas Cook) in LacewingMAP here.

Palpares inclemens

(Walker, 1853)

Identification

Size: Very large (Wingspan up to 160mm)

Palpares inclemens is one of the world’s largest antlion species. Closely resembles Palpares lentus, however that species is decidedly smaller.

Larvae: The larvae of this species are very large and coloured in muted shades of red, green and black bands.

Palpares inclemens – Near Hluhluwe, KwaZulu-Natal
Photo by Ryan Tippett

*Palpares inclemens –* Ndumo Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal
Photo by Luke Kemp

Habitat

This species occurs in coastal areas where it inhabits forests and woodlands on sandy soils. Adults are often encountered in rank vegetation in the forest/wetland mosaic of north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal.

Behaviour

P. inclemens is readily attracted to light.

The large red, green and black banded larvae live freely in sand.

They have been recorded from October to April, however most records are from December to April. Adults are most active during the late summer months.

*Palpares inclemens –* Near Kosi Bay, KwaZulu-Natal
Photo by Ryan Tippett

Status and Distribution

Palpares inclemens is primarily a coastal species, extending down the east coast as far south as Durban. Away from South Africa it ranges northwards to coastal Kenya

Distribution of *Palpares inclemens*. Taken from the LacewingMAP database, July 2022.

Taxonomy

Order: Neuroptera Family: Myrmeleontidae Subfamily: Palparinae Tribe: Palparini Genus: Palpares Species: inclemens

*Palpares inclemens* – Near Chizavane, Mozambique
Photo by Kate Braun

Further Resources

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

Acknowledgements:

The use of photographs by Douglas Cook, Kate Braun and Luke Kemp 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. Palpares inclemens. Biodiversity and Development Institute, Cape Town.
Available online at http://thebdi.org/2022/08/18/palpares-inclemens/

Archive/LacewingMAP

Palpares lentus

Posted on 18/08/2022 by Ryan Tippett

View the above photo record (by Douglas Cook) in LacewingMAP here.

Palpares lentus

Navás, 1912

Identification

Size: Large (Wingspan around 100mm)

It strongly resembles Palpares inclemens, (a strictly coastal species), but is smaller.

Larvae: The larvae of this species are unknown.

*Palpares lentus* – Swebe-Swebe, Limpopo
Photo by Joseph Heymans

*Palpares lentus* – Nylsvlei Nature Reserve, Limpopo
Photo by Christopher Willis

Habitat

This species inhabits savanna woodlands in the northern parts of South Africa.

Behaviour

P. lentus is readily attracted to light.

Nothing is known about the larvae of this species.

Adults are active early during the early summer months and are on the wing from October to February. Most records come from November. This is in contrast to other Palpares species who mostly emerge during mid to late summer.

*Palpares lentus* – Makalali Game Reserve, Limpopo
Photo by Vaughan Jessnitz

Status and Distribution

Palpares lentus appears to be largely confined to northern and north-western South Africa, with a few records from Botswana and Zimbabwe.

Distribution of *Palpares lentus*. Taken from the LacewingMAP database, July 2022.

Taxonomy

Order: Neuroptera Family: Myrmeleontidae Subfamily: Palparinae Tribe: Palparini Genus: Palpares Species: lentus

*Palpares lentus* – Near Vaalwater, Limpopo
Photo by Marita Beneke

Further Resources

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

Acknowledgements:

The use of photographs by Alice Altenroxel, Cornelia Rautenbach, John Wilkinson, Joseph Heymans, Marita Beneke and Vaughan Jessnitz 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. Palpares lentus. Biodiversity and Development Institute, Cape Town.
Available online at http://thebdi.org/2022/08/18/palpares-lentus/

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

Laughing Dove (Spilopelia senegalensis)

Posted on 18/08/2022 by Bird Feeder Project: Karis Daniel & Megan Loftie-Eaton

Cover photo – BirdPix 4242 Laughing Dove by Les Underhill.

Identification

The Laughing Dove is a long-tailed, smallish dove, typically 25 cm in length. It is rufous brown on the underside with a lilac pinkish tinged head and neck. The head and underparts are pinkish, shading to buffy white on the lower abdomen. It has a rich rufous coloured neck with black spots. Its upper parts are brownish with a bluish-grey band along the wing and a blue-grey back. Laughing Doves have white outer tail feathers and reddish legs and feet.

Main photo – BirdPix 70022: Mark Stanton, Segou, Mali, 01 April 2018.
Photo inset – BirdPix 98276: Lia Steen, Shellybeach, KwaZulu-Natal, 02 November 2019.

Other names for the Laughing Dove include Laughing Turtle Dove, Palm Dove and Senegal Dove while in Asia the name of the Little Brown Dove is often used. You can take a listen to its distinctive call here.

Habitat

It has benefited greatly from habitat disturbance by humans. In southern Africa it is extremely common and widespread, where it can be found in several habitat types including: woodlands, farmlands, suburban parks, alien tree plantations and urban gardens.

Laughing doves — **Laughing Dove habitats.** Left – BirdPix 223568: Lappies Labuschagne, Middelburg, Mpumalanga, South Africa. Top right – BirdPix 221819: Les Underhill, Malmesbury, Western Cape, South Africa. Bottom right – BirdPix: 227672: Johan & Estelle van Rooyen, Northern Cape Province, South Africa.

Distribution

The Laughing Dove is abundant in southern Africa, as it is found everywhere except coastal Mozambique. It has been recorded all across South Africa as can be seen in the Southern African Bird Atlas Project (SABAP2) map below, with blue squares indicating the core of its range in the region.

Behaviour

Laughing Doves are usually seen in pairs or small parties and only rarely in larger groups. Larger groups are formed especially when drinking at waterholes in arid regions. They mainly eat seeds, with fruits, bulbs and nectar making up the rest of their diet. Pairs can often be seen feeding on the ground.

Their flight is quick and direct with regular beats and an occasional sharp flick of the wings characteristic of pigeons and doves in general.

When breeding time comes around, the female normally builds her own nest, while the male collects material. The Laughing Dove lays 1-6, usually 2 eggs, which are incubated by both sexes, for 12-14 days, after which the chicks hatch. The chicks leave the nest at 12-13 days old, before they have even learnt to fly. At 3-4 days after leaving the nest, the chicks are able to fly, after which they become fully independent.

Nests and young of Laughing Doves — Nests & young. Top left – BirdPix 48837: Dewald du Plessis, Orania, Northern Cape, 20 April 2014. Top right – BirdPix 53560: Ryan Tippett, Maun, Botswana, 02 May 2018. Lower right – BirdPix 33838: Dewald du Plessis, Bloemfontein, Free State, 21 February, 2011. Lower left – BirdPix 31929: Rob Dickinson, Ogbomoso, Nigeria, 10 May 2016.

Laughing doves at a feeder — Enjoying the bird feeder! – BirdPix 101: Lia Steen, Roodepoort, Gauteng, South Africa.

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: Rooiborsduifie (Afrikaans); Icelekwane (Xhosa); uKhonzane (Zulu); Gugurhwana (Tsonga); Tourterelle maillée (French); Palmtortel (Dutch).

Recommended citation format: Daniel KA and Loftie-Eaton M 2022. Laughing Dove Spilopelia senegalensis. Bird Feeder Project. Biodiversity and Development Institute. Available Online at http://thebdi.org/2022/08/18/laughing-dove-spilopelia-senegalensis/

List of bird species in this format is available here.

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

Red-eyed Dove (Streptopelia semitorquata)

Posted on 18/08/2022 by Bird Feeder Project: Karis Daniel & Megan Loftie-Eaton

Cover photo – Red-eyed Dove by Anthony Archer.

Identification

The Red-eyed dove is common in many areas of southern Africa, and has adapted well to living with humans.

It is a largish, stocky bird, with adults typically 30 cm in length. Its back, wings and tail are greyish to pale brown in colour. In flight one can observe a dark band with a pale edge on the tail feathers. The head and underparts are greyish pink, shading to pale grey on the face. They have a black collar on the back their neck. The legs and a patch of bare skin around the eye are red. Their call is a loud doo-doo-du-du, which can sound like they are singing “I AM the red-eyed dove”, with an emphasis on the “AM”!

Sexes are similar, but juveniles are duller than adults, and have scalloping on the body feathers.

Identification guide adult Red-eyed Dove — Main photo: Gareth Yearsley, Morgan Bay, Eastern Cape, 08 October 2020. Inset photo: Les Underhill, Cape Town, Western Cape, 22 October 2016.

Identification guide juvenile Red-eyed Dove — Juvenile Red-eyed Dove – Giles Mulholland, Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, 05 October 2012.

The Ring-necked Dove is superficially similar, but shows white in the tail when it flies (rather than the dark grey and light grey bands of this species), and its call is “Tell father, work harder” (rather than “I AM the Red-eyed Dove”).

Habitat

It has adapted very well to the activities of humans, generally preferring woodland habitats, and especially alien tree plantations, with pine trees Pinus sp., Eucalyptus, Rooikrans Acacia cyclops or Port Jackson Acacia saligna.

Distribution

The Red-eyed Dove occurs across most of sub-Saharan Africa. In southern Africa, it is common in northern Namibia, northern and south-eastern Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, eSwatini, Lesotho and South Africa. The SABAP2 distribution map below confirms its widespread range across all sorts of habitats within South Africa. It is largely absent from the Northern Cape Province due to the aridness of the area.

Behaviour

Red-eyed Doves usually forage on the ground under trees. They eat a wide variety of seeds, as well as flowers, nuts, fruit and the occasional insect. They readily visit gardens.

Streptopelia semitorquata — Red-eyed Dove foraging in a suburban garden – Stellenbosch, Western Cape, 27 December 2011. Photo by Megan Loftie-Eaton.

When breeding time comes around, the female usually makes the nest using material collected by the male. The nest consists of a bowl of twigs lined with grass. It may also use nests of other birds, such as crows, thrushes and egrets. Egg-laying season is year round, usually peaking from September to January. Red-eyed Doves lay 1-2 eggs which are incubated by both parents for 14-17 days.

Its flight is quick, with regular wing beats and an occasional sharp flick of the wings, which are characteristic of pigeons and doves in general.

Further Resources

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

More common names: Grootringduif (Afrikaans); Indlasidudu (Xhosa); iHophe (Zulu); Tourterelle à collier (French); Halbmondtaube (German).

Recommended citation format: Daniel KA and Loftie-Eaton M 2022. Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata. Bird Feeder Project. Biodiversity and Development Institute. Available Online at http://thebdi.org/2022/08/18/red-eyed-dove-streptopelia-semitorquata/

List of bird species in this format is available here.

Archive

Palpares elegantulus

Posted on 17/08/2022 by Ryan Tippett

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

Palpares elegantulus

Peringuey, 1910

Identification

Size: Large (Wingspan at least 100mm)

Palpares elegantulus is characterized by the extremely long labial palps that distinguish the species from the other Palparinae.

Larvae: The larvae are unknown.

*Palpares elegantulus* – Near Maltahohe, Namibia
Photo by Alex Dreyer

*Palpares elegantulus* – Near Upington, Northern Cape
Photo by Cornelia Rautenbach

Habitat

P. elegantulus 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 Karoo bushes. They are regularly attracted to lights.

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

Nothing is known about the larvae of this species, it is likely to be similar to those of other Palpares spp.

*Palpares elegantulus* – Near Carnarvon, Northern Cape
Photo by Ryan Tippett

Status and Distribution

Palpares elegantulus is fairly common and widespread in the drier western areas. In South Africa, this species is confined to the Northern and Western Cape provinces. It is widespread throughout Namibia, extending up into Angola.

Distribution of *Palpares elegantulus*. Taken from the LacewingMAP database, July 2022.

Taxonomy

Order: Neuroptera Family: Myrmeleontidae Subfamily: Palparinae Tribe: Palparini Genus: Palpares Species: elegantulus

Further Resources

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

Acknowledgements:

The use of photographs by Alex Dreyer, Cornelia Rautenbach and Katharina Reddig 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. Palpares elegantulus. Biodiversity and Development Institute, Cape Town.
Available online at http://thebdi.org/2022/08/17/palpares-elegantulus/

*Palpares elegantulus* – Near Hardap, Namibia
Photo by Katharina Reddig

Archive

Palparidius concinnus

Posted on 16/08/2022 by Ryan Tippett

View the above photo record (by John Wilkinson) in LacewingMAP here.

Palparidius concinnus – Hook-tailed Antlion

Peringuey, 1910

Identification

Size: Medium-large (Wingspan around 90mm)

Palparidius concinnus is readily identified by the single brown horseshoe-shaped marking in each forewing. The males are easily recognised by their very elongated ectoprocts (claspers).

*Palparidius concinnus* Male – Near Tshipise, Limpopo
Photo by John Wilkinson

*Palparidius concinnus* Female – Near Gabatsoal, Botswana
Photo by Dewalt du Plessis

Larvae: The larvae of P. concinnus are fairly large and rufous coloured.

*Palparidius concinnus* Larvae – Near Lephalale, Limpopo
Photo by Ross Hawkins

Habitat

Palparidius concinnus inhabits dry savanna woodlands.

Behaviour

Adults are active during late summer. They are on the wing from January to April.

Like most antlions Palparidius concinnus is nocturnal. Adults often rest in a hanging position among the protective branches of larger bushes. They are regularly attracted to lights. Not much is known of its biology.

The larvae are thought to live in deep soil. They are voracious predators and one individual was recorded feeding on a small scorpion.

*Palparidius concinnus –* Near Vivo, Limpopo
Photo by Steve Woodhall

Status and Distribution

Palparidius concinnus is fairly common in the northern parts of South Africa. It is known from Free State, Gauteng, Limpopo, North West and the Northern Cape. It is also widespread in Namibia and Botswana.

Distribution of *Palparidius concinnus*. Taken from the LacewingMAP database, July 2022.

Taxonomy

Order: Neuroptera Family: Myrmeleontidae Subfamily: Palparinae Tribe: Palparini Genus: Palparidius Species: concinnus

*Palparidius concinnus –* Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Botswana
Photo by Cornelia Rautenbach

Further Resources

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

Acknowledgements:

The use of photographs by Cornelia Rautenbach, Dewald du Plessis, John Wilkinson, Ross Hawkins and Steve Woodhall 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. Palparidius concinnus. Biodiversity and Development Institute, Cape Town.
Available online at http://thebdi.org/2022/08/16/palparidius-concinnus/

*Palparidius concinnus –* Near Tshipise, Limpopo
Photo by John Wilkinson

Archive

Pamexis contaminatus

Posted on 13/08/2022 by Ryan Tippett

View the above photo record (by Christopher Willis) in LacewingMAP here.

Pamexis contaminatus – Butterfly Antlion

Hagen, 1887

Identification

Size: Medium (Wingspan up to 60mm)

P. contaminatus has an overall yellow and black colouration. Forewings are bright yellow, richly adorned with black spots. The hindwings are creamy white to pale yellow with distinctive, broad black patterning. The abdomen is black with pale yellow sides and fine yellow lines above.

This species is very similar to Pamexis karoo.

Larvae: Unknown.

*Pamexis contaminatus* – Near Calvinia, Northern Cape
Photo by Christopher Willis

Habitat

Inhabits dry fynbos, succulent karoo and the southern Nama Karoo in areas with sparse, low vegetation. P. contaminatus appears to favour areas of flat open veld with bare patches, and is not associated with rocks or lichen as in other species in the genus.

Behaviour

Adults Adults emerge between October and January.

Often found on sparse, open patches of ground between vegetation. Flies rapidly when disturbed and usually resettles on a low shrub. Unlike most antlions Pamexis contaminatus is not attracted to lights.

Nothing is known about the larvae of this species.

Status and Distribution

Pamexis contaminatus is fairly rare and is endemic to South Africa. Its range is centred around the Calvinia, Clanwilliam and Vanrhynsdorp area, extending from Keisie Pass to Graafwater, Hondeklipbaai and Vanrhynsdorp.

Pamexis contaminatus has been recorded from the Western and Northern Cape provinces.

Distribution of *Pamexis contaminatus*. Taken from the LacewingMAP database, July 2022.

Taxonomy

Order: Neuroptera Family: Myrmeleontidae Subfamily: Palparinae Tribe: Palparini Genus: Pamexis Species: contaminatus

*Pamexis contaminatus* – Near Nieuwoudtville, Northern Cape
Photo by Christopher Willis

Further Resources

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

Acknowledgements:

The use of photographs by Christopher Willis 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. Pamexis contaminatus. Biodiversity and Development Institute, Cape Town.
Available online at http://thebdi.org/2022/08/13/pamexis-contaminatus/

Archive

Tomatares citrinus

Posted on 13/08/2022 by Ryan Tippett

View the above photo record (by Marius van Zyl) in LacewingMAP here.

Tomatares citrinus – Painted Grassland Antlion

(Hagen, 1853)

Identification

Size: Medium-Large (Wingspan up to 100mm)

*Tomatares citrinus* – Near Lephalale, Limpopo
Photo by Justin Bode

Tomatares citrinus is one of the regions most beautiful and brightly coloured antlion species. The body is black, white and yellow. The opaque wings are primarily white with bold black lines and bright yellow accents. The Antennae are noticeably short and stout.

*Tomatares citrinus* – Sebe-Sebe Lodge, Limpopo
Photo by Riaan Robbeson

Habitat

T. citrinus is a typical savanna-grassland species. Favours places with fairly tall, dense grass.

Behaviour

*Tomatares citrinus* – Near Osire, Namibia
Photo by Neil Thomson

This species is easily detected when flushed from its resting place in thick grass. Tomatares citrinus is unusual in that it is a diurnal species.

Adults are active during late summer from December to April.

The larvae are known to live freely in soil among grass tussocks. They are voracious predators feeding mainly on other arthropods. The larvae are seldom encountered.

Status and Distribution

Tomatares citrinus is fairly widespread in the northern parts of South Africa. Despite its wide distribution, T. citrinus is an uncommon species. In South Africa T. citrinus is known from KwaZulu-Natal, FreeState, North-West, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo. It has also been recorded from Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

Distribution of *Tomatares citrinus*. Taken from the LacewingMAP database, July 2022.

Taxonomy

Order: Neuroptera Family: Myrmeleontidae Subfamily: Palparinae Tribe: Palparini Genus: Tomatares Species: citrinus

*Tomatares citrinus –* Near Waterpoort, Limpopo
Photo by Steve Woodhall

Further Resources

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

Acknowledgements:

The use of photographs by Justin Bode, Marius Van Zyl, Neil Thomson, Riaan Robbeson, Stephen Ball and Steve Woodhall 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. Tomatares citrinus. Biodiversity and Development Institute, Cape Town.
Available online at http://thebdi.org/2022/08/13/tomatares-citrinus/

*Tomatares citrinus –* Near Loding, Mpumalanga
Photo by Stephen Ball

Bird Feeder Project/Bird identification/BirdPix/Birds

Speckled Mousebird (Colius striatus)

Posted on 12/08/2022 by Bird Feeder Project: Karis Daniel & Megan Loftie-Eaton

Cover photo: BirdPix 110 – Lia Steen Speckled Mousebird

Identification

The Speckled Mousebird has sandy brown to ashy brown plumage feathers along its head and back and warmer brown feathers along its belly. It has long brown tail feathers and dark eyes and its bill is black on top and whitish underneath.

The northern sub-species has whitish ear coverts, pale eyes, and pinkish to red legs.

Identification guide to Speckled Mousebird — Adult Speckled Mousebird – Main photo: BirdPix 8322 – Gregg & Darling Desire, Addo Elephant National Park, Eastern Cape, 14 June 2014. Northern Subspecies – Photo inset: BirdPix 39085 – Dieter Oschadleus, Entebbe, Uganda, 15 July 2017.

Speckled Mousebirds are quite vocal. They make a warbling tsu-tsu call while in flight, and are known for their tisk-tisk alarm call.

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

Distribution

The Speckled Mousebird is the most widely distributed mousebird in Africa. It occurs from Cameroon to Ethiopia, through southern Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, northern Zambia and northern Angola to southern Africa. Within southern Africa it is common in eastern Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa, largely excluding the arid Northern Cape Province. It is very adaptable, occurring in forest edges, thickets, gardens, orchards, strandveld, riverine woodland, and alien tree plantations.

Habitat

The Speckled Mousebird prefers open bushveld habitats. It is widespread in savanna and open woodlands, as well as areas with tangled thickets. It is a common “backyard bird,” often seen in urban gardens and orchards.

Speckled Mousebird in gardent — Speckled Mousebird perched in a garden tree – BirdPix 215697: Lia Steen, Shellybeach, KwaZulu-Natal, 08 April 2022.

Behaviour

It feeds on a wide variety of plant matter, especially fruit, but also flowers, nectar, leaves, buds and bark. It usually forages in the mid to upper tree canopy, often in groups of 5-20 birds.

Speckled Mousebirds can be monogamous or polygamous, meaning that the male can have one ore multiple mates. They are also a cooperative breeders, with 2-6 juvenile helpers, some of which are not related to the breeding couple. Courtship is fairly elaborate, with preening, bouncing up and down on a perch and exchanging of food.

Colius striatus at a bird feeder — Enjoying the fruit at the bird feeder – BirdPix 196917: C. Wilson, Howick, KwaZulu-Natal, 20 January 2021.

The nest is a small, shallow bowl made of grass and herb stems, lined with soft material. It is typically placed 1-7 metres above ground in a tree or bush. The nestlings start to explore the branches surrounding the nest at about 10-11 days old, after which they start to preen each other. They stay in the nest for about 15-20 days, after which they become independent.

Colius striatus looking for food — Speckled Mousebird looking for food – BirdPix 213867: Lia Steen, Shellybeach, KwaZulu-Natal Province, 25 March 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: Gevlekte muisvoël (Afrikaans); Indlazi (Xhosa); Fariki (South Sotho); Tshivhovo (Tsonga); Coliou rayé (French); Braunflügel-mausvogel (German).

Recommended citation format: Loftie-Eaton M, Daniel KA 2022. Speckled Mousebird Colius striatus. Bird Feeder Project. Biodiversity and Development Institute. Available online at http://thebdi.org/2022/08/08/speckled-mousebird-colius-striatus/

Archive

Palpares sobrinus

Posted on 10/08/2022 by Ryan Tippett

View the above photo record (by Joseph Heymans) in LacewingMAP here.

Palpares sobrinus

Péringuey, 1911

Identification

Size: Large (Wingspan up to 108mm)

A striking yellow and black antlion. Palpares sobrinus is distinguished from other Palpares by the dense, evenly spaced black speckling on all four wings.

Larvae: The larvae of this species are unknown.

*Palpares sobrinus* – Welgevonden Game Reserve, Limpopo
Photo by Marita Beneke

*Palpares sobrinus* – Hela Hela, KwaZulu-Natal
Photo by Cornelia Rautenbach

Habitat

They inhabit grassland and savanna in the north and east of South Africa.

Behaviour

P. sobrinus is readily attracted to light.

Nothing is known about the larvae of this species.

Adults are recorded during the summer months and are on the wing from September to May, although it is most numerous from January to April.

*Palpares sobrinus* – Mooketsi, Limpopo
Photo by Alice Altenroxel

Status and Distribution

Palpares sobrinus is a fairly common and widespread species. It is found in the eastern parts of South Africa from KwaZulu-Natal northwards into Zimbabwe. P. sobrinus is part of a species complex that extends into central and eastern Africa.

Distribution of *Palpares sobrinus*. Taken from the LacewingMAP database, July 2022.

Taxonomy

Order: Neuroptera Family: Myrmeleontidae Subfamily: Palparinae Tribe: Palparini Genus: Palpares Species: sobrinus

*Palpares sobrinus* – Near Tshipise, Limpopo
Photo by John Wilkinson

Further Resources

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

Acknowledgements:

Recommended citation format for this species text:

Tippett RM 2022. Palpares sobrinus. Biodiversity and Development Institute, Cape Town.
Available online at http://thebdi.org/2022/08/10/palpares-sobrinus/