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Palparidius capicola

Posted on by Ryan Tippett

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

Palparidius capicola

Peringuey, 1910

Identification

Size: Medium-large (Wingspan around 90mm)

Palparidius capicola is readily identified by the diagnostic horseshoe-shaped markings in the forewings. The males are easily recognised due to their elongated ectoprocts (claspers).

Larvae: Not much is known about the larvae of this species.

Palparidius capicola – Near Carnarvon, Northern Cape
Photo by Ryan Tippett
Palparidius capicola male – Near Carnarvon, Northern Cape
Photo by Ryan Tippett
Palparidius capicola Female – Near Carnarvon, Northern Cape
Photo by Ryan Tippett

Habitat

Palparidius capicola inhabits the open, arid shrublands of the Nama Karoo in flat or hilly terrain.

Habitat – Near Carnarvon, Northern Cape
Photo by Ryan Tippett

Behaviour

Like most antlions Palparidius capicola 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.

Adults are active during the summer months. Most numerous from January to April but records exist from September to April.

Palparidius capicola – Wildheim Kalahari Lodge, Namibia
Photo by Neil Thomson

Status and Distribution

Fairly common and widespread in the drier western parts of South Africa. It is also known from Namibia and Botswana.

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

Taxonomy

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

Palparidius capicola – Near Carnarvon, Northern Cape
Photo by Ryan Tippett

Further Resources

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

Acknowledgements:

The use of photographs by Neil Thomson 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 capicola. Biodiversity and Development Institute, Cape Town.
Available online at http://thebdi.org/2022/08/03/palparidius-capicola/

Palparidius capicola – Near Carnarvon, Northern Cape
Photo by Ryan Tippett

Ryan Tippett
Ryan Tippett
Ryan is an enthusiastic contributor to Citizen Science and has added many important and interesting records of fauna and flora. He has been a member of the Virtual Museum since 2014 and has currently submitted over 12,000 records. He is on the expert identification panel for the OdonataMAP project. Ryan is a well-qualified and experienced Field Guide, and Guide Training Instructor. He has spent the last 18 years in the guiding and tourism industries. Ryan loves imparting his passion and knowledge onto others, and it is this that drew him into guide training in particular. Something that he finds incredibly rewarding is seeing how people he's had the privilege of teaching have developed and gone on to greater things. His interests are diverse and include Dragonflies, Birding, Arachnids, Amphibians, wild flowers and succulents, free diving and experiencing big game on foot. With this range of interests, there is always likely be something special just around the corner!