| LacewingMAP: |
|
9961 |
| Province: |
|
Northern Cape |
| Country: |
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South Africa |
| Locus: |
|
3022CA |
| Observer: |
|
Tippett RM |
| Date of record: |
|
2016-12-27 |
| Number of photos: |
|
3 |
| Notes: |
|
Karoo |
| Last updated: |
|
2020-12-03 13:24:43 |
| Sp. code: |
|
326920 |
| Species name: |
|
FAMILY Myrmeleontidae |
| Common name: |
|
Unidentified Myrmeleontidae |
| Family: |
|
Myrmeleontidae |
| Record status: |
|
ACCEPTED |
| Collector's species id: |
|
|
| Institution: |
|
ADU-UCT |
| Record URL: |
|
https://vmus.adu.org.za/?vm=LacewingMAP-9961 |
| Links: |
|
• Locus: Summary | Records • Species: Records | Distribution map |
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Comments by the Expert Panel on this record:
|
| Comment number: |
|
1 |
| By: |
|
Mervyn Mansell |
| Comment: |
|
This is a very interesting picture of an antlion (possibly a Centroclisis - but not sure)in the process of unfurling its wings shortly after emerging from its cocoon. Upon biting its way free of the cocoon - using the pupal mandibles, the newly emerged adult seeks a vertical surface. It then bends its thorax at right angles to the rock (very clear in picture) and the wings unfurl and drop down due to a combination of gravity and haemolymph pressure (like concert stage drapes!). The wings are carefully folded in the cocoon as they develop and can only unfurl and expand once free of the cocoon. Once fully expanded the wings need to harden and to assume full colour before the insect can fly. This may take several hours. At this stage of development the adult is teneral. Very unusual to observe this miracle of nature in the wild state. |
| Date: |
|
2017-01-14 18:32:04 |
| Species name: |
|
FAMILY Myrmeleontidae -- Unidentified Myrmeleontidae |
| Species code: |
|
326920 |
|
