View the above photo record (by Evert Kleynhans) in LacewingMAP here.
Myrmeleontidae (Antlions)
Hagenomyia lethifer
(Walker, 1853)
Identification
Size: Small-medium (Wingspan 60mm)
Hagenomyia lethifer is easily recognised by its distinctive colouration. The head, thorax and abdomen are black with a broad cream stripe along the sides. The legs are bright red. Both pairs of wings are clear and unmarked.
Larvae: The larvae are characteristically pink in colour.
Photo by Rob Dickinson
Photo by Ryan Tippett
Habitat
Hagenomyia lethifer inhabits grasslands and savanna and is often found in damp areas with tall grass.
Photo by Ryan Tippett
Behaviour
The adults are nocturnal and spend the day resting among tall grass. They are occasionally attracted to light.
The larvae construct pitfall traps, often in open and exposed places.
In South Africa adults have been recorded from August to April, although most commonly recorded from December to April.
Photo by Stephen Ball
Status and Distribution
Hagenomyia lethifer is common and very widespread in South Africa, from the Western Cape Province northwards through most provinces, excluding the drier western areas. It extends northwards into Africa: Mozambique, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, Malawi, Angola, Burundi.
Taxonomy:
Order: Neuroptera Family: Myrmeleontidae Subfamily: Myrmeleontinae Tribe: Myrmeleontini Genus: Hagenomyia Species: lethifer
Photo by T. de Wit
Further Resources
Virtual Museum (LacewingMAP > Search VM > By Scientific or Common Name)
Acknowledgements:
The use of photographs by Evert Kleynhans, Rob Dickinson, Stephen Ball and T. de Wit 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. Hagenomyia lethifer. Biodiversity and Development Institute, Cape Town.
Available online at http://thebdi.org/2022/12/13/hagenomyia-lethifer/
Photo by Rick Nuttall
