Gymnocnemia variegata (Schneider, 1845)

Badano, Davide & Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio, 2014, The larvae of European Myrmeleontidae (Neuroptera), Zootaxa 3762 (1), pp. 1-71 : 39-41

Gymnocnemia variegata (Schneider, 1845)

( Figs. 3H , 4H , 20 )

Willmann (1977) was the first to describe the larva of this species, wrongly but dubitatively identified as Distoleon annulatus since the older account of G. variegata by Hagen (1873) clearly refers to another antlion. Following mentions and illustrations ( Insom et al. 1985; Stange & Miller 1990) are not exhaustive and the first adequate and comparative description is undoubtedly due to Cesaroni et al. (2010).

Examined specimens. Italy. Lazio, Roma, Monte Mario , bee-eater burrow on escarpment, VII.2010 (A. Alfonsi & C. Cesaroni) , 4 L3; same locality, X.2011 , 4 L3. Greece. Corfu, Panagias , rock escarpment in holm oak wood, V.2012 (D. Badano) , 2 L3 and 2 L3 laboratory-reared to adult. Corfu, Lafki , V.2012, (D. Badano) 2 L3 laboratory-reared to adult, Corfu, Agios Markianos , rock escarpment in olive grove, VI.2012 (D. Badano) , 1 L3. Corfu, Klimatia , V.2012 (D. Badano) 1 L3, laboratory-reared to adult. Corfu, Strynialas , V.2012 (D. Badano) , 1 L3 laboratory-reared to adult

Description of 3 rd instar larva. Size (based on 11 specimens): BL 7.41 mm; HL 2.07 mm (1.82–2.27), HW 1.71 mm (1.61–1.90), ML 2.20 mm (2.00–2.46), HW/HL 0.83, ML/HL 1.06. General colouring pale, yellowish brown with a brown pattern, ventrally paler; head capsule darker than the body, with large dark markings on the dorsal side, ventral side of the head unmarked, mandibles pale brown; legs pale; setae of the body black. Head longer than wide; mandibles thin, considerably longer than the head capsule ( Fig. 20a ); distance between the base of the mandible and basal tooth larger than that between the basal and the apical teeth ( Fig. 20b ); interdental mandibular setae: (6–7)(0–1)(0–1)(0); sparse setae are disposed on the external margin of the mandible. Pronotum covered by few sparse setae ( Figs. 4H , 20c ). Spiracles brown. VIII abdominal sternite provided with two well distinct dark spots; odontoid processes atrophied; IX sternite with rastra equipped with long and thin digging setae of which the internal pair is half the others in size ( Figs. 3H , 20d ).

Bio-ecology. G. variegata is found in Mediterranean environments such as woods and scrublands, however it is a relatively uncommon species and its presence is probably due to the strict microhabitat requirements of the larvae. The larvae are associated with rock escarpments, small caves and overhangs, especially on friable rocks or in presence of thick deposits of dry and fine detritus, where they are buried in cavities and crevices including abandoned burrows.

Distribution. Widely distributed, but relatively rare, from the Mediterranean to Central Asia.

Remarks. The larva of this species is easily recognizable due to the long and thin mandibles and the body colouring.

Figures

FIGURE 3. IX and VIII abdominal sternite of 3rd instar larva of Dendroleontini and Nemoleontini. A, Dendroleon pantherinus; B, Nemoleon notatus; C, Distoleon tetragrammicus; D, Creoleon lugdunensis; E, Neuroleon assimilis; F, Macronemurus appendiculatus; G, Megistopus lucasi; H, Gymnocnemia variegata. Scale bar: 1 mm.

FIGURE 4. Pronotum of 3rd instar larvae of Dendroleontini and Nemoleontini; A, Dendroleon pantherinus; B, Nemoleon notatus; C, Distoleon tetragrammicus; D, Creoleon lugdunensis; E, Neuroleon nemausiensis; F, Macronemurus appendiculatus; G, Megistopus lucasi; H, Gymnocnemia variegata. Scale bar: 1 mm.

FIGURE 20. Gymnocnemia variegata (Schneider, 1845), 3rd instar larva (Greece: Corfu, Panagias). Dorsal (above), ventral (middle) and lateral (below) view; a–d: diagnostic characters, see species description.