Atlas of the Neuroptera and Megaloptera

Record details

   [ Record 17 of 3162 ]   
LacewingMAP:   10339
Province:   Limpopo
Country:   South Africa
Locus:   2231AC
Observer:   Hawkins Ross
Date of record:   2017-10-09
Number of photos:   2
Notes:  
Last updated:   2020-12-03 13:24:43
Sp. code:   320480
Species name:   FAMILY Ascalaphidae
Common name:   Unidentified Ascalaphidae
Family:   Ascalaphidae
Record status:   ACCEPTED
Collector's species id:  
Institution:   ADU-UCT
Record URL:   https://vmus.adu.org.za/?vm=LacewingMAP-10339
Links:   • Locus: Summary | Records       • Species: Records | Distribution map
VM-number: 10339 - photo: 1
VM-number: 10339 - photo: 2

Comments by the Expert Panel on this record:

Comment number:   1
By:   Mervyn Mansell
Comment:   This is the larva of an owlfly (Family Ascalaphidae) possibly Tmesibasis. Ascalaphid larvae live freely on vegetation or under rocks, where they remain motionless for long periods of time in the typical posture of "Sit and wait predators" They are extremely cryptic, both as a defence mechanism against predators and camouflage to conceal them from their own prey. Eggs are laid in batches and the larvae often remain together and catch fast-moving prey - often sharing in the capture and consumption of a prey item.
Date:   2017-11-28 18:11:10
Species name:   FAMILY Ascalaphidae -- Unidentified Ascalaphidae
Species code:   320480

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