Myrmeleon Linnaeus, 1767

Miller, Robert B. & Stange, Lionel A., 2011, Antlions of Hispaniola (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae), Insecta Mundi 2011 (182), pp. 1-28 : 8-9

Myrmeleon Linnaeus

Myrmeleon Linnaeus 1767: 913 . Type species: Myrmeleon formicarium Linnaeus , by subsequent designation by Latreille 1810:435 [as Myrmeleon formacarium, Fab. (sic)].

Diagnosis. Adult: body length size 22 to 32 mm, forewing length 20 to 25 mm. Antennal fossae separated by more than diameter of scape; forewing vein CuP originates at or very near (about cubital vein diameter) basal cross vein; forewing vein 2A variable in form; forewing vein 2A runs close to lA for short distance, then bends at sharp angle toward 3A; hindwing vein CuA connected to posterior fork of MP2 by cross veins; hindfemur without sense hair; tibial spurs and tarsal claws well developed, not arched or bent; ventral surface of distal tarsomere with all setae reduced to less than one-third width of tarsomere; hindwing with four or more presectoral cross veins; male pilula axillaris present; male abdomen without hair pencils; male ectoproct without postventral lobe.

Discussion. This cosmopolitan genus contains more described species than any other genus. One key character of Myrmeleon is the chaetotaxy of the distal tarsomere. The ventral setae of distal tarsomere are less than 1/3 the length of tarsomere diameter. Also, the wing venation is distinctive with more than four presectoral crossveins in the hindwing and the forewing vein 2A runs close to 1A for a short distance and then bends at a sharp angle toward 3A. The larvae construct pitfall traps and can only move backwards.