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.

Habitat

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

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.

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.

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/

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).

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

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.

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.

Taxonomy

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

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/

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.

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.

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.

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.

Taxonomy

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

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/

View the above photo record (by Marius van Zyl) in LacewingMAP here.

Tomatares citrinus – Painted Grassland Antlion

(Hagen, 1853)

Identification

Size: Medium-Large (Wingspan up to 100mm)

Tomatares citrinus is one of the regions most beautiful and brightly coloured antlion species. The body is black, white and yellow. The opaque wings are primarily white with bold black lines and bright yellow accents. The Antennae are noticeably short and stout.

Habitat

T. citrinus is a typical savanna-grassland species. Favours places with fairly tall, dense grass.

Behaviour

This species is easily detected when flushed from its resting place in thick grass. Tomatares citrinus is unusual in that it is a diurnal species.

Adults are active during late summer from December to April.

The larvae are known to live freely in soil among grass tussocks. They are voracious predators feeding mainly on other arthropods. The larvae are seldom encountered.

Status and Distribution

Tomatares citrinus is fairly widespread in the northern parts of South Africa. Despite its wide distribution, T. citrinus is an uncommon species. In South Africa T. citrinus is known from KwaZulu-Natal, FreeState, North-West, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo. It has also been recorded from Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

Taxonomy

Order: Neuroptera Family: Myrmeleontidae Subfamily: Palparinae Tribe: Palparini Genus: Tomatares Species: citrinus

Further Resources

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

Acknowledgements:

The use of photographs by Justin Bode, Marius Van Zyl, Neil Thomson, Riaan Robbeson, Stephen Ball 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. Tomatares citrinus. Biodiversity and Development Institute, Cape Town.
Available online at http://thebdi.org/2022/08/13/tomatares-citrinus/

View the above photo record (by Joseph Heymans) in LacewingMAP here.

Palpares sobrinus

Péringuey, 1911

Identification

Size: Large (Wingspan up to 108mm)

A striking yellow and black antlion. Palpares sobrinus is distinguished from other Palpares by the dense, evenly spaced black speckling on all four wings.

Larvae: The larvae of this species are unknown.

Habitat

They inhabit grassland and savanna in the north and east of South Africa.

Behaviour

P. sobrinus is readily attracted to light.

Nothing is known about the larvae of this species.

Adults are recorded during the summer months and are on the wing from September to May, although it is most numerous from January to April.

Status and Distribution

Palpares sobrinus is a fairly common and widespread species. It is found in the eastern parts of South Africa from KwaZulu-Natal northwards into Zimbabwe. P. sobrinus is part of a species complex that extends into central and eastern Africa.

Taxonomy

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

Further Resources

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

Acknowledgements:

The use of photographs by Alice Altenroxel, Cornelia Rautenbach, John Wilkinson, Joseph Heymans, Marita Beneke and Vaughan Jessnitz 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 sobrinus. Biodiversity and Development Institute, Cape Town.
Available online at http://thebdi.org/2022/08/10/palpares-sobrinus/

View the above photo record (by Daryl de Beer) in LacewingMAP here.

Palpares speciosus

Linnaeus, 1758

Identification

Size: Large (Wingspan up to 112mm)

P. speciosus is an overall yellow with dense black markings. The thorax is yellow and black and partially covered in thick grey setae. The abdomen is dark yellow with variable, broad black lines along the sides.

The fore wings show conspicuous yellow veining with black spotting. There are two distinctive lead-grey blotches near the middle of each fore wing. The hind wings are whiteish with four evenly spaced black patches and scattered smaller black spots.

Superficially resembles Palpares caffer. That species differs in showing three irregularly spaced black patches on the hindwing.

Larvae: The larvae are large and black.

Habitat

Palpares speciosus inhabits the fynbos and Karoo biomes, especially in areas with tall grass.

Behaviour

Adults are often found at rest in long grass. They flush and fly off easily but will quickly settle again. Palpares speciosus is often attracted to lights.

Adults are active during the spring and summer months. The winged adults of P. speciosus are recorded from August to May but most records come from November to April.

The larvae live freely in soil among grass tussocks. They are voracious predators feeding mainly on other arthropods. The larvae are seldom encountered.

Status and Distribution

Palpares speciosus is a fairly common South African endemic. It is widespread in the Western Cape and parts of the Northern and Eastern Cape Provinces. Ranges as far north and east as Hanover and Grahamstown. It is replaced to the north by its sister-species, Palpares caffer.

Taxonomy

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

Further Resources

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

Acknowledgements:

The use of photographs by Christeen Grant, Geoff Prosser, Len de Beer, Marita Beneke, Stephen Ball and Walter Neser 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 speciosus. Biodiversity and Development Institute, Cape Town.
Available online at http://thebdi.org/2022/08/09/palpares-speciosus/

View the above photo record (by Rick Nuttall) in LacewingMAP here.

Lachlathetes moestus

(Hagen, 1953)

Identification

Size: Very Large (Wingspan 160mm)

Lachlathetes moestus is one of southern Africa’s most spectacular antlions. The adults have long, broad-tipped wings. The thorax is grey and very hairy, paler above than along the sides. The abdomen is dark grey. The legs are a dull to bright reddish-pink colouration. It is one of the largest species of antlions known anywhere in the world.

Larvae: The larvae are large and black.

Habitat

Lachlathetes moestus is a tropical savanna species that favours hot, humid regions. Adults can often found around the edges of wetlands where they rest up in tall, rank grass.

Behaviour

Adults are nocturnal and spend the day resting among tall grass. They are frequently attracted to light.

Adults are on the wing very late in Summer from March to April.

The larvae are very large and are voracious predators. Larvae inhabit deep sand/soil. They ambush their prey and do not construct pit-fall traps.

Status and Distribution

Lachlathetes moestus is fairly common and widespread in the northern provinces of South Africa, including KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West. This species occurs widely across south-east Africa including Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Tanzania, Swaziland and Zambia. 

Taxonomy:

Order: Neuroptera Family: Myrmeleontidae Subfamily: Palparinae Tribe: Palparini Genus: Lachlathetes Species: moestus

Further Resources

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

Acknowledgements:

The use of photographs by Bart Wursten, David Kennedy, Riaan Robbeson and Rick Nuttall 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. Lachlathetes moestus. Biodiversity and Development Institute, Cape Town.
Available online at http://thebdi.org/2022/08/08/lachlathetes-moestus/

View the above photo record (by Alan Manson) in LacewingMAP here.

Nannoleon michaelseni

Esben-Petersen, 1928

Identification

Size: Small (Wingspan around 35mm)

It is characterized by the broad clear wings and their distinctive, long clavate antennae.

Larvae: Nothing is known about the larvae of this species.

Habitat

Nannoleon michaelseni inhabits the open, arid shrublands of the Nama Karoo in flat or hilly terrain. It is also known from dry savanna woodlands of Mpumalanga and Limpopo.

Behaviour

Adults are nocturnal and they are regularly attracted to lights. Nothing else is known about the biology of this species.

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

Status and Distribution

This species is widespread in South Africa and Namibia, and is fairly common in the drier western parts of the sub-region.

Taxonomy

Order: Neuroptera Family: Myrmeleontidae Subfamily: Dendroleontinae Tribe: Dendroleontini Genus: Nannoleon Species: michaelseni

Further Resources

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

Acknowledgements:

The use of photographs by Alan Manson and Zenobia van Dyk 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. Nannoleon michaelseni. Biodiversity and Development Institute, Cape Town.
Available online at http://thebdi.org/2022/08/08/nannoleon-michaelseni/

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

Palparidius capicola

Peringuey, 1910

Identification

Size: Medium-large (Wingspan around 90mm)

Palparidius capicola is readily identified by the diagnostic horseshoe-shaped markings in the forewings. The males are easily recognised due to their elongated ectoprocts (claspers).

Larvae: Not much is known about the larvae of this species.

Habitat

Palparidius capicola inhabits the open, arid shrublands of the Nama Karoo in flat or hilly terrain.

Behaviour

Like most antlions Palparidius capicola 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.

Adults are active during the summer months. Most numerous from January to April but records exist from September to April.

Status and Distribution

Fairly common and widespread in the drier western parts of South Africa. It is also known from Namibia and Botswana.

Taxonomy

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

Further Resources

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

Acknowledgements:

The use of photographs by Neil Thomson 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 capicola. Biodiversity and Development Institute, Cape Town.
Available online at http://thebdi.org/2022/08/03/palparidius-capicola/