View the above photo record (by Douglas Cook) in LacewingMAP here.
Palpares inclemens
(Walker, 1853)
Identification
Size: Very large (Wingspan up to 160mm)
Palpares inclemens is one of the world’s largest antlion species. Closely resembles Palpares lentus, however that species is decidedly smaller.
Larvae: The larvae of this species are very large and coloured in muted shades of red, green and black bands.
Photo by Ryan Tippett
Photo by Luke Kemp
Habitat
This species occurs in coastal areas where it inhabits forests and woodlands on sandy soils. Adults are often encountered in rank vegetation in the forest/wetland mosaic of north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal.
Behaviour
P. inclemens is readily attracted to light.
The large red, green and black banded larvae live freely in sand.
They have been recorded from October to April, however most records are from December to April. Adults are most active during the late summer months.
Photo by Ryan Tippett
Status and Distribution
Palpares inclemens is primarily a coastal species, extending down the east coast as far south as Durban. Away from South Africa it ranges northwards to coastal Kenya
Taxonomy
Order: Neuroptera Family: Myrmeleontidae Subfamily: Palparinae Tribe: Palparini Genus: Palpares Species: inclemens
Photo by Kate Braun
Further Resources
Virtual Museum (LacewingMAP > Search VM > By Scientific or Common Name)
Acknowledgements:
The use of photographs by Douglas Cook, Kate Braun and Luke Kemp 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 inclemens. Biodiversity and Development Institute, Cape Town.
Available online at http://thebdi.org/2022/08/18/palpares-inclemens/
Photo by Ryan Tippett
