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Pamexis contaminatus

Posted on by Ryan Tippett

View the above photo record (by Christopher Willis) in LacewingMAP here.

Pamexis contaminatus – Butterfly Antlion

Hagen, 1887

Identification

Size: Medium (Wingspan up to 60mm)

P. contaminatus 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.

This species is very similar to Pamexis karoo.

Larvae: Unknown.

Pamexis contaminatus – Near Calvinia, Northern Cape
Photo by Christopher Willis
Pamexis contaminatus – Near Calvinia, Northern Cape
Photo by Christopher Willis

Habitat

Inhabits dry fynbos, succulent karoo and the southern Nama Karoo in areas with sparse, low vegetation. P. contaminatus appears to favour areas of flat open veld with bare patches, and is not associated with rocks or lichen as in other species in the genus.

Behaviour

Adults Adults emerge between October and January.

Pamexis contaminatus – Near Calvinia, Northern Cape
Photo by Christopher Willis

Often found on sparse, open patches of ground between vegetation. Flies rapidly when disturbed and usually resettles on a low shrub. Unlike most antlions Pamexis contaminatus is not attracted to lights.

Nothing is known about the larvae of this species.

Pamexis contaminatus – Near Calvinia, Northern Cape
Photo by Christopher Willis

Status and Distribution

Pamexis contaminatus is fairly rare and is endemic to South Africa. Its range is centred around the Calvinia, Clanwilliam and Vanrhynsdorp area, extending from Keisie Pass to Graafwater, Hondeklipbaai and Vanrhynsdorp.

Pamexis contaminatus has been recorded from the Western and Northern Cape provinces.

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

Taxonomy

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

Pamexis contaminatus – Near Nieuwoudtville, Northern Cape
Photo by Christopher Willis

Further Resources

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

Acknowledgements:

The use of photographs by Christopher Willis 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 contaminatus. Biodiversity and Development Institute, Cape Town.
Available online at http://thebdi.org/2022/08/13/pamexis-contaminatus/

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!