Pamexis karoo

View the above photo record (by Cornelia Rautenbach) in LacewingMAP here.

Pamexis karoo – Butterfly Antlion

Mansell, 1992

Identification

Size: Medium (Wingspan up to 60mm)

P. karoo has an overall yellow and black colouration. Forewings are bright yellow, richly adorned with black spots. The hindwings are creamy white to pale yellow with distinctive, broad black patterning. The abdomen is black with pale yellow sides and fine yellow lines above.

Larvae: Unknown.

*Pamexis karoo* – Dasklip Pass, Western Cape
Photo by Fanie Rautenbach

*Pamexis karoo* – Sutherland, Northern Cape
Photo by Christopher Willis

Habitat

Inhabits dry fynbos, succulent karoo and the southern Nama Karoo in areas with sparse, low vegetation.

Behaviour

Adults emerge between October and February.

*Pamexis karoo* – Ladismith, Western Cape
Photo by Cornelia Rautenbach

Often found on sparse, open patches of ground between vegetation. Flies rapidly when disturbed and usually resettles on a low shrub. They are highly cryptic when resting amongst fynbos, karoo vegetation or on lichen covered rocks. Unlike most antlions Pamexis karoo is not attracted to lights.

Nothing is known about the larvae of this species.

*Pamexis karoo* – Matroosberg, Western Cape
Photo by Fanie Rautenbach

Status and Distribution

Pamexis karoo is uncommon but is the most widespread species in its genus. Its range extends from the Cedarberg Mountains eastwards to the Grahamstown area, and possibly comprises a species complex. Pamexis karoo has been recorded from the Western, Eastern and Northern Cape provinces.

Distribution of *Pamexis karoo*. Taken from the LacewingMAP database, July 2022.

Taxonomy

Order: Neuroptera Family: Myrmeleontidae Subfamily: Palparinae Tribe: Palparini Genus: Pamexis Species: karoo

*Pamexis karoo* – Near Calitzdorp, Western Cape
Photo by Fanie Rautenbach

Further Resources

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

Acknowledgements:

The use of photographs by Christopher Willis, Cornelia Rautenbach and Fanie Rautenbach 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. Pamexis karoo. Biodiversity and Development Institute, Cape Town.
Available online at http://thebdi.org/2022/07/27/pamexis-karoo/