Neuroleon arenarius Navás, 1904

Badano, Davide & Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio, 2014, The larvae of European Myrmeleontidae (Neuroptera), Zootaxa 3762 (1), pp. 1-71 : 27

Neuroleon arenarius Navás, 1904

( Fig. 13 )

The larva of this species is described for the first time.

Examined specimens. Italy. Lazio, Roma, Monte Mario , escarpment, VII.2010 (A. Alfonsi & C. Cesaroni), 3 L3 and 1 L3 laboratory-reared to adult ; same locality, IX.2010, 1 L3. Sardinia, Alghero (Sassari), Lazzaretto, arenaceous escarpment, IX.2010 (D. Badano), 2 L1 laboratory-reared to L3. Sardinia, Cagliari (Cagliari), Molentargius, rock overhang, IX.2010 (D. Badano), 2 L3 and 2 L3 laboratory-reared to adult . Greece. Corfu, Korission lake , sand dunes, V.2012 (D. Badano), 1 L3 laboratory-reared to adult .

Description of 3 rd instar larva. Size (based on 8 specimens): BL 8.20 mm; HL 1.80 mm (1.68–1.86), HW 1.44 mm (1.35–1.52), ML 1.57 mm (1.37–1.72), HW/HL 0.80, ML/HL 0.87. General colouring ochre, sand-like, with brown markings and spots; head capsule with distinctive dorsal brown markings: 2 anterior convergent stripes running from the antennal pits toward the middle dorsal portion of the head, reaching 2 posterior markings and creating a V-shaped pattern ( Fig. 13b ); margins of the head with brown stripes, ventral side of the head pale with a darker area at the insertion of the mandibles ( Fig. 13c ); labial palpi dark brown ( Fig. 13d ); mandibles brown; legs pale; setae of the body mostly black. Head longer than wide; dorsal side of the head capsule thickly covered by pale dolichasters; mandible comparatively strong, shorter than the head capsule ( Fig. 13a ); interdental mandibular setae (~4)(1)(1)(0); sparse setae are present on the external margin of the mandible. Mesothoracic spiracles reddishbrown. IX abdominal sternite with two short rastra each bearing 4 digging setae, internal seta shorter than the others ( Fig. 13e ).

Bio-ecology. This species lives in open Mediterranean environments such as scrublands, open woods, grasslands and dunes. The larvae of this species have been found under rock overhangs, on escarpments of friable rocks or compacted sand hiding in recesses or burrows and even in coastal sand dunes in shaded conditions.

Distribution. Reported for southern Europe, North Africa and Israel.

Remarks. The pattern on the dorsal side of head is unique of this species.

Figures

FIGURE 13. Neuroleon arenarius (Navás, 1904), 3rd instar larva (Italy: Sardinia, Alghero, Lazzaretto). Dorsal (above), ventral (middle) and lateral (below) view; a–e: diagnostic characters, see species description.