| Comment number: |
|
1 |
| By: |
|
Mervyn Mansell |
| Comment: |
|
This is a rare photo of a mating pair of thread-winged lacewings, Laurhervasia setacea. They gather in small aggregations and fly with the bodies held vertically. The males orientate in front of the females, and then engage. After which the female will alight on a vertical surface, while the male drops down and hangs with the thorax curled up. The males are recognized by the bullae (small hair tufts) on the hindwings - very clear in the pictures. The female then drops eggs onto the floor of the habitat - usually a small cave or under a rock overhang. The bizarre long-necked larvae live in dust and detritus in small caves and under sheltered rock overhangs. They require habitats that are sheltered from sun and wind. Because of the very specialized microhabitats in which they live, they are capable of inhabiting very arid and inhospitable places. L. setacea is widespread in the Western and Northern Cape provinces of SA, and extends into Namibia. Amazing creatures that have remained unchanged morphologically for over a hundred million years!! |
| Date: |
|
2020-03-09 17:05:52 |
| Species name: |
|
Laurhervasia setacea |
| Species code: |
|
330120 |
|
