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Centroclisis maligna

Posted on 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
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.

Habitat – Near Carnarvon, Northern Cape
Photo by Ryan Tippett

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

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

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/

Centroclisis maligna – 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!