View the above photo record (by Stephen Ball) in LacewingMAP here.
Palpares caffer
(Burmeister, 1839)
Identification
Size: Large (Wingspan up to 112mm)
P. caffer is an overall yellow with dense black markings. The thorax is yellow and black and partially covered in thick grey setae. The abdomen is dark yellow with variable, broad black lines along the sides.
The fore wings show conspicuous yellow veining with black spotting. There are two distinctive lead-grey blotches near the middle of each fore wing. The hind wings are whiteish with three evenly spaced black patches and scattered smaller black spots.
Superficially resembles Palpares speciosus. That species differs in showing four irregularly spaced black patches on the hindwing.
Larvae: The larvae are large and black.
Photo by Christeen Grant
Photo by Walter Neser
Habitat
P. caffer inhabits grasslands at low to high altitudes. It is also widespread in open savanna with stands of taller grasses.
Photo by Ryan Tippett
Behaviour
Adults are often found at rest in long grass. They flush and fly off easily but will quickly settle again. Palpares caffer is often attracted to lights.
Adults are active during the summer months and are on the wing from October to April.
The larvae live freely in soil among grass tussocks. They are voracious predators feeding mainly on other arthropods. The larvae are seldom encountered.
Photo by Geoff Prosser
Status and Distribution
Palpares caffer is a common species. It occurs fairly widely in South Africa from the Eastern Cape (Grahamstown area) northwards. It seems to be confined to southern Africa, not extending beyond Zimbabwe. It is replaced in the south by its sister-species, Palpares speciosus.
Taxonomy
Order: Neuroptera Family: Myrmeleontidae Subfamily: Palparinae Tribe: Palparini Genus: Palpares Species: caffer
Photo by Marita Beneke
Further Resources
Virtual Museum (LacewingMAP > Search VM > By Scientific or Common Name)
Acknowledgements:
The use of photographs by Christeen Grant, Geoff Prosser, Len de Beer, Marita Beneke, Stephen Ball and Walter Neser 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 caffer. Biodiversity and Development Institute, Cape Town.
Available online at http://thebdi.org/2022/07/28/palpares-caffer/
Photo by Len de Beer
