View the above photo record (by Zenobia van Dyk) in LacewingMAP here.
Palparellus pulchellus
(Esben-Petersen, 1922)
Identification
Size: Medium-Large
This is a beautiful species hence the name “pulchellus”, meaning beautiful.
Larvae: The larvae are unknown.
Habitat
P. elegantulus inhabits the open, arid shrublands of the Nama Karoo, often on sandy, red soils.
Behaviour
Palparellus pulchellus is sometimes attracted to lights. Adults are nocturnal and often rest in a hanging position among the protective branches of Karoo bushes. They are highly cryptic when at rest and blend specifically with the karroid-type vegetation of the Nama Karoo.
Adults are active during late summer and have been recorded from October to March.
Nothing is known about the larvae of this species.
Status and Distribution
Palparellus pulchellus is uncommon and not often encountered. This species is confined to South Africa and is a Karoo endemic. It is known mostly from the Northern Cape of South Africa, with one record from the Western Cape.
Taxonomy
Order: Neuroptera Family: Myrmeleontidae Subfamily: Palparinae Tribe: Palparini Genus: Palparellus Species: pulchellus
Further Resources
Virtual Museum (LacewingMAP > Search VM > By Scientific or Common Name)
Acknowledgements:
The use of photographs by 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. Palparellus pulchellus. Biodiversity and Development Institute, Cape Town.
Available online at http://thebdi.org/2022/08/30/palparellus-pulchellus/