Vol. 1, no. 1, January 1985 INSECTA MUNDI 29 A Generic Review of the Acanthaclisine Antlions Based on Larvae (Neuroptera: MYJ;ffieleontidae) 1 A 2 3 Lionel J..i. Stange and Robert B. Miller IRTRODUCTIOR The tribe Acanthaclisini Navas contains 14 (Rambur), whereas Steffan (1975) provides described genera which we recognize as additional data on this species as well as valid. We have reared larvae of 8 of these on Acantbaclisis occitanica (Villers). Our (Acantbaclisis Rambur, C_troclisis Nauas, best biological data on the Acanthaclisini, FadriDa Navas, Paranthaclisis Banks, Phano­ excluding larval behavior, are based on clisis Banks, Synclisis Navas, Syngenes observations of Paranthaclisis congener Kolbe, and Vella Navas). In addition, we (Hagen) made near Reno, Nevada. In common have studied preserved larvae from Aus- with most aurJions, P. congener Jay eggs at tralia which probably represent the genus dusk. As the female expels the eggs, she Beoclisis Navas. Th~s represents the ma- evenly coats them with sand, using the pos jority of the taxa, lacking only the small terior gonapophysis. The eggs are shallowly genera Avia Navas, Cos ina Navas, Madrasta bUlled, in cOntlast to otheI known nOn Navas, Mestressa Navas, and Stipbroneuria acanthaclisine species which lay their eggs GelS taecke:I~ Studies of these laI vae have on the surface. Some females caught just revealed structural differences, especially after dusk still had egg material on the of the mandible, which we have employed to end of their abdomens where some had been provide ident i fie at ion of these genera by broken. Their abdomens appeared empty. means of descriptions, keys, and illustra Like most antlion species with thick abdo­ tions. Also, since no modern key exists, mens, Parantbaclisis species lay eggs in we are providing a key to the genera based batches rather than a few every day. One on adults which will prOVide some further fema Ie captured at dusk had a plump abdomen insight on the generic relationships. Ob­ and layed 20 eggs which left her abdomen seruations on the tribal differences of empty The eggs were large and oblong and Myrmeleontidae based on larvae are made hatched ~n 24 days. L~ttle or no expans~on with a preliminary key to the known tribes. of the head capsule and mandibles takes place upon hatching ~n Parantbaclisis. Tribe AcauthacJisini Navas 1912 Th~s ~s unl~ke other tribes where upon hatching the head capsule and mandibLes InclUded genera: Acanthaclisis Ram- expand w~th the mandibles hanging like limp bur, Avia Navas (=Jaya Navas), Centroclisis spaghetti before expansion. Other char­ Navas (-SoBra Navas, -Neboda Navas, -Neo- acteristics ale similar to larvae ill other clisis Navas, =Stenoclisis Navas, =Sograssa tribes. There are three larval instars, Navas), Costns Navas, Beocltsts Navas, and diapause, if assumed, occurs in the Hadrasta Navas, Hestressa Navas, Parantba- larva in the sand and not in the cocoon nor citsis Banks, Pbanoclisis Banks (-Hola in the egg. The cocoon is constructed of Navas), Stipbroneuria Gerstaecker (=Neriga silk beneath the sand with sand grains Navas), SyDclisis Navas, Syngenes Kolbe covering the surface. The mobile pupa digs (-Onclus Navas), Vella Navas (=Cyroplectron its way to the surface of the sand where Esben PeteISen) [Note. The genus Vellassa the adult emerges and then climbs any con­ Navas is of uncertain status]. venient object before expanding its anten- nae, wings, and abdomen. Ceneral Biology: Principi (1947) de- Description (based on larvae): Three- tailed the biology of Synclisis baetica segmented labial palpus shorter than basal width of mandible; distal palpomere l5 to 1. Contribution No. 603, Bureau of Ento 3.0 t~mes longer than w~de; sensory open~ng mology, Div. Plant Industry, Fla. Dept. Agr1c. & CosnUmer Services t ;::~;~;;s~: ;i(~~n;:~Ci~;;s),itohr;(~:~::= Gainesville, FL 2. Taxonomic Entomologist, Div. Plant When 3, basal tooth shorter than distal Industry, P. O. Box 1269, GaineSVille, one; lateral margin with or without long ~ i2~02 setae, but setae never longer than one-half 3. Cesearch ASSOCiate, P. O. Box 1092, Project City, CA 96079. greatest width of mandible; mesothoracic spiracle not borne on tubelcle, scali ab 30 INSECTA ~mNDI Vol. 1, no. 1, January 1985 sent; dolichasters absent on head; abdomi­ and "uncati" (tibial spurs evenly curved). nal sternite VIII without submedian teeth; These 2 groups appear to be fairly natural stern~te IX w~thout enlarged pa~r of d~g­ d~vis~ons but since the names are not de­ ging setae j tergite IX without median lobe rived from included genera they are no.ina bear~ng med~an sc1erotized process. nuda. Perhaps when the larval stages of Larval Behavior: None of the larvae Avia, Cosina, Madrasta, Mestre8sa, and studied construct pltfall traps. Two dis­ Stipbroneuria are known, a logical sub­ tinct types of locomot~on are present. division of the tribe can be made. The two Backward movement only is found in the most highly evolved genera based on larval genera Phanoclisis and Vella. Forward and structure and behavior are Centrocllsls and backward movement are found in Acantha­ Paranthaclisis. Both appear to be select ~liaia, Ceatre~1181a, Fadriaa. Bee~llala. feedelS In the labolatolY and show re Paranthacliais. 8yngenea. and 8ynclisis. ductions in the mandibular teeth to 2 (Cen­ The latter three genera are fast runners Lroclisis) or I (Parantbaclisia). Also. and burrowers. Centroclisis larvae are both ~enera have highly reduced antennae slow creepers and diggers. Acauthac11s1a, Beoclisia, and Fadriua larvae are fast burrowers but seldom move forward rapid ly, at least under laboratory conditions. The behavior. Both genera are fast runners and larvae usually inhabit open tracts of sand burrowers. apparently favoring coastal where considerable sand depth is required beach dunes, having relatively long man- for temperature regulation, protection of dibles and with sternite IX relatively the.large cocoon. escape and concealment pointed and without peg-like setae on ster- from predators, as well as space for nite VIII (Figs. 8. 9). Finally. Phano­ hunting prey. Most species are incessant cl1s1s appears to be relatively plesio- feeders (except notably Centroclisis and morphic in many adult characters (distal Parauthaclisis) and require a fairly high palpomere, pretarsal claws) but its larva sand SUI face tempel atule to pupate. The moves only backward. a behav~ora1 trait cocoon is constructed in a single day and shared by the unrelated Vella. the period from construe t ion 0 f the cocoon Measurements: Measurements (in mm) of to the emergence of the adult is 54~3 days the head capsule were made from the ventral in all of the genera reared so far except surface. The longitudinal measurement was Fadriaa (35 days). ...11 of the genera made along the m~dline from the base of the studied. except Centroclisis, feed when the head capsule to the level of the mandible sand temperature is warm, but avoid extreme base. The width was measuled at the widest temperatures above or below safe levels by part of the head capsule. The mandible burrowing deeply in the sand It is common length was measuled (dOl sal side) from the to see them active on the surface in mid- base to the distal side of the distal morning. late afternoon, and very warm tooth. The width was measured at the nights. Centroclisis is the except ion as widest part of the mandible. The average the species studied is strictly nocturnal measurements are given with the number of Discus8ion: This tribe is well de­ specimens examined in parenthesis. fined by both larval and adult characters Illustrations' The photographs are and shows limited structural diversity in all of the 3rd ins tar larva except for compar~son to most tr~bes of antl~ons. Figure 8 (8yncUsis baetica) which is based Some group characters are present which on a 2nd instar larva. Figure]6 of Acan- suggest at least 4 subgroups: Group 1 ­ t:haclisis sp. shows a deformed middle tooth Centroclisis and Paranthaclisis; Group 2 - of the right mandible. The left mandible Syngenes and Synclisis, GIOUp 3 Acantha of Figure 16 and both mandibles of Figure clisis, Fadrina. and Phauoclisis; Group 4 - 20 show the normal condition of the man- Beoclisis and Vella. Navas (1912) divided dibular teeth. The photographs were taken the tribe into 2 groups; "uneinati" (adult by Robert B. M~l1er. tibial spurs bent at nearly right angle) Vol. 1, no. 1, January 1985 INSECTA MUNDI 31 Key to Genera of Acanthaclisini LARVAE 1. Sternite VIII without short, blunt, peg-like setae although stout but point- ed dIggIng setae plesent (Figs. 8 11) 2 Sternite VIII with numerous short, peg-like setae (apex truncate) (Figs. 3 7) ....•........................ .. .....•.........•...•.•................ 5 2. Ventral head capsule densely setose, except along midline (Fig. 21); Western Hemisphere ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Vella Ventral surface of head capsule glabrous except laterally (Fig. 25) •••••• 3 3. Mandihle with prominent setae on interior margin of mandible between tooth 1 and mandibular base; sternite IX broadly rounded (Fig. 11); Australia ............................. ...... Beoclisis Mandible without setae between tooth 1 and mandibular base;sternite IX pointed (Figs. 12, 13) 4 4. Anterior margin of clypeal-labrum produced as a rounded lob (Fig. 13); Ethiopian •••••.••••••••.••••••••••.••••••.•••••••••••••••••••••••• Syngenes Anterior margin of clypeal-labrum emarginate {Fig. l2);Palearctic .......... .................................................................. Synclisis 5. Mandible with 1 or 2 teeth and without setae on the interior margin of mandible (Figs. 18, 19) ••••••••••••••••••••••••••..••.•••..•••••••••••••• 6 Mandl. lIle with :3 teeth and setae present on Inteliol malgin of mandib1e(Figs. 14-16) •••••••••••••••••••••..•••••••••.•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 7 6. Mandible with 1 tooth (Fig. 19); Nearctic ParanthaclisiB Mandible with 2 teeth (Fig. 18); Old World •••••••••••••••••••• Centroclisis 7. Tooth 3 of mandible 10ngel than middle tooth by at least 1.5 times(Fig. 14); Ethiopian •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Fadrina Tooth 3 of mandible shol ter than middle tooth (Figs.