Peruveleon indiges (Walker)

Miller, Robert B. & Stange, Lionel A., 2011, Antlions of Hispaniola (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae), Insecta Mundi 2011 (182), pp. 1-28 : 7-8

Peruveleon indiges (Walker)

( Figure 2 )

Myrmeleon indiges Walker 1860: 189 . Holotype male, Haiti (BMNH, type examined).

= Nelees cubitalis Navás 1921: 117 (after Smith 1931: 816). Holotype female, Playa Chivo, Habana, Cuba, 7.VII.1919, Cervera (MCZC, type examined).

Taxonomy. Smith 1931: 816 (in Austroleon ); Navás 1922: 168 (in Clathroneuria ); Stange 1970: 68 (in Brachynemurus ); 1994: 80 (in Abatoleon ).

Further description. Smith 1931: 816, figure 18 (photo of wings); Alayo 1968: 63, figs. 10, 21 (wings) (Plate IV, figures 1-3 (vertex, nota), plate VII, figure 9 (male terminalia); Stange 1970a: 68, figs. 65, 66 (male genitalia, terminalia).

Distribution. Florida Keys, Bahamas, Cuba, Hispaniola.

Diagnosis. Adult: length to apex of tergite IX about 30 to 34 mm (male) or 24 to 28 mm (female); forewing length 16 to 22 mm. Coloration: general coloration light brown; pronotum mostly pale, usually with median stripe posteriorly, divergent dark brown stripes beyond furrow; mesoscutellum pale with broad median stripe; femur and tibia mostly pale with scattered dark brown spots; wings with some dark brown spots, especially along the forewing vein CuA and cross veins between medius and hind margin; abdomen with longitudinal light brown streaks, not banded. Chaetotaxy: ocular rim without setae; head male pilula axillaris forming a mat, longest setae shorter than stem of the pilula; forefemur without minor row of clavate setae; setae posterior to major row of clavate setae appressed, seldom thickened apically with longest setae shorter than one-eighth length of basal clavate seta of major row. Structure: ninth sternite of male abdomen weakly emarginate posteriorly postventral lobe of male ectoproct about four times longer than middle diameter; male genitalia with mediuncus very large, narrow, bifurcate posteriorly; paramere small, shorter than width of mediuncus; Rs with several forks, first near middle of wing; abdomen dark brown or with longitudinal light brown streaks, not banded.

Larva. Labial palpus longer than basal width of mandible; mandible much darker at distal one-third than rest, with distance between base and basal tooth longer than between basal and distal tooth, distal tooth is shorter than middle tooth and set at different angle than other teeth; dorsal surface of head capsule with dolichasters; mesothorax without dolichasters; setae on anterior margin of head between mandibular bases at least twice as long as median diameter; mesothoracic spiracle borne on tubercle that is about as long as median width; abdominal spiracle enlarged, often with associated secondary tube-like structures; sternite VIII with pair of sclerotized submedian teeth.

New records. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. Azua Province: Tabara Abajo , 16.VI.1986, Woodruff and Stange (2f, FSCA) ; Playa Tortuguero , 23.V.1986, Miller and Stange (1f, FSCA) . Barahona Province: 7 miles east Barahona, 28.IX.1985, L. Stange (1m, 2f, FSCA) ; 24 km. east Barahona, 27.IX.1985, Stange (2f, FSCA) ; 1.6 km. east Fondo Negro , 24.V.1985, Woodruff and Stange (1f, FSCA) ; 10 miles north Cabral , 28.IX.1986, Woodruff and Stange (1f, FSCA) ; 1.6 miles west Fondo Negro , 24.V.1985, Woodruff and Stange (1f, FSCA) . Dajabón Province: 5 km. North Dajabón, 25.IV.2000, R. Woodruff & T. Henry (1f, FSCA) . Independencia Province: Los Rios, Lago Enriquillo , 23.V.1986, Miller and Stange (1f, FSCA) . Monte Cristi Province: 9 km. north Monte Cristi, 17.VI.1986, Stange and Woodruff (2m, 1f, FSCA) ; 10 miles south Monte Cristi, 2.X.1985 (1f, FSCA) ; 3 km. north Villa Elisa , 1.X.1986, Stange and Woodruff (4f, FSCA) ; 9 km. north Villa Elisa , 4.VI.1986, Miller and Stange (5m, 3f, FSCA) . Peravia Province: Matanzas , 19.V.1985, Woodruff and Stange (1f, FSCA) . Pedernales Province: Cabo Rojo Alcoa , 9- 13.IV.2000, R. Woodruff and T. Henry (2m, FSCA) . San Juan Province: El Capa, 17 km. northeast Vallejuelo , 27.V.1986, Miller and Stange (3m, 3f, FSCA) ; 13 km. west Los Tres Charcos, 22.V.1985, Woodruff and Stange (1m, FSCA). HAITI . Cul de Sac plain, 5.I.1919, R. Smith (2m, MCZC) .

Discussion. This is the only species of the tribe known from Hispaniola and therefore easy to identify from the key. It is one of few species of Peruveleon to lack ocular rim setae that project over the eye. There is considerable confusion as to the number of species of Peruveleon occurring in the West Indies and further studies are needed to resolve this taxonomic question.

TRIBE MYRMELEONTINI

Figures

Figures 1-4. Adult antlions. 1) Vella eggerti (Hagen), male. 2) Peruveleon indiges (Walker), male. 3) Myrmeleon insertus Hagen, female. 4) Eremoleon cerverai (Navás), male.