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Palpares elegantulus

Posted on by Ryan Tippett

View the above photo record (by Ryan Tippett) in LacewingMAP here.

Palpares elegantulus

Peringuey, 1910

Identification

Size: Large (Wingspan at least 100mm)

Palpares elegantulus is characterized by the extremely long labial palps that distinguish the species from the other Palparinae.

Larvae: The larvae are unknown.

Palpares elegantulus – Near Maltahohe, Namibia
Photo by Alex Dreyer
Palpares elegantulus – Near Upington, Northern Cape
Photo by Cornelia Rautenbach

Habitat

P. elegantulus inhabits the open, arid shrublands of the Nama Karoo in flat or hilly terrain.

Habitat – Near Carnarvon, Northern Cape
Photo by Ryan Tippett

Behaviour

Adults are nocturnal and often rest in a hanging position among the protective branches of Karoo bushes. They are regularly attracted to lights.

Adults are active during late summer and have been recorded from December to April.

Nothing is known about the larvae of this species, it is likely to be similar to those of other Palpares spp.

Palpares elegantulus – Near Carnarvon, Northern Cape
Photo by Ryan Tippett

Status and Distribution

Palpares elegantulus is fairly common and widespread in the drier western areas. In South Africa, this species is confined to the Northern and Western Cape provinces. It is widespread throughout Namibia, extending up into Angola.

Distribution of Palpares elegantulus. Taken from the LacewingMAP database, July 2022.

Taxonomy

Order: Neuroptera Family: Myrmeleontidae Subfamily: Palparinae Tribe: Palparini Genus: Palpares Species: elegantulus

Further Resources

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

Acknowledgements:

The use of photographs by Alex Dreyer, Cornelia Rautenbach and Katharina Reddig 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. Palpares elegantulus. Biodiversity and Development Institute, Cape Town.
Available online at http://thebdi.org/2022/08/17/palpares-elegantulus/

Palpares elegantulus – Near Hardap, Namibia
Photo by Katharina Reddig
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!