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Palparidius concinnus

Posted on by Ryan Tippett

View the above photo record (by John Wilkinson) in LacewingMAP here.

Palparidius concinnus – Hook-tailed Antlion

Peringuey, 1910

Identification

Size: Medium-large (Wingspan around 90mm)

Palparidius concinnus is readily identified by the single brown horseshoe-shaped marking in each forewing. The males are easily recognised by their very elongated ectoprocts (claspers).

Palparidius concinnus Male – Near Tshipise, Limpopo
Photo by John Wilkinson
Palparidius concinnus Female – Near Gabatsoal, Botswana
Photo by Dewalt du Plessis

Larvae: The larvae of P. concinnus are fairly large and rufous coloured.

Palparidius concinnus Larvae – Near Lephalale, Limpopo
Photo by Ross Hawkins

Habitat

Palparidius concinnus inhabits dry savanna woodlands.

Behaviour

Adults are active during late summer. They are on the wing from January to April.

Like most antlions Palparidius concinnus is nocturnal. Adults often rest in a hanging position among the protective branches of larger bushes. They are regularly attracted to lights. Not much is known of its biology.

The larvae are thought to live in deep soil. They are voracious predators and one individual was recorded feeding on a small scorpion.

Palparidius concinnus – Near Vivo, Limpopo
Photo by Steve Woodhall

Status and Distribution

Palparidius concinnus is fairly common in the northern parts of South Africa. It is known from Free State, Gauteng, Limpopo, North West and the Northern Cape. It is also widespread in Namibia and Botswana.

Distribution of Palparidius concinnus. Taken from the LacewingMAP database, July 2022.

Taxonomy

Order: Neuroptera Family: Myrmeleontidae Subfamily: Palparinae Tribe: Palparini Genus: Palparidius Species: concinnus

Palparidius concinnus – Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Botswana
Photo by Cornelia Rautenbach

Further Resources

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

Acknowledgements:

The use of photographs by Cornelia Rautenbach, Dewald du Plessis, John Wilkinson, Ross Hawkins and Steve Woodhall 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. Palparidius concinnus. Biodiversity and Development Institute, Cape Town.
Available online at http://thebdi.org/2022/08/16/palparidius-concinnus/

Palparidius concinnus – Near Tshipise, Limpopo
Photo by John Wilkinson
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!