Atlas of African Neuroptera and Megaloptera

Record details

   [ Record 3 of 365 ]   
LacewingMAP:   9961
Province:   Northern Cape
Country:   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:   Myrmeleontidae indet.
Common name:   Myrmeleontidae indet.
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
VM-number: 9961 - photo: 1
VM-number: 9961 - photo: 2
VM-number: 9961 - photo: 3

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:   Myrmeleontidae indet. -- Myrmeleontidae indet.
Species code:   326920

[ Page served: December 12, 2024, 01:52 +0200]

The Biodiversity and Development Institute (BDI)
and
The FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology
Department of Biological Sciences - University of Cape Town
 
This work, except photographs, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Copyright of images uploaded into the Virtual Museum remains with the photographers.

The Biodiversity and Development Institute (BDI)          The Biodiversity and Development Institute (BDI)          The FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology          UCT