Ann. Mus. civ. St. nat. Ferrara Vol. 8 2005 [2007] pp. 9-26 ISSN 1127-4476

Ulisse Aldrovandi and Antonio Vallisneri: the Italian contribution to knowledge of Neuropterous Insects between the 16th and the early 18th centuries*

Rinaldo Nicoli Aldini 1· 2

1) lstituto di Entomologia e Patologia vegetale, Facolta di Agraria, Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via E­ milia Parmense 84, 1-29100 Piacenza (Italy); 2) Scienze degli Alimenti, Polo Scientifico-Didattico di Cesena del­ la Facolta di Agraria, Alma Mater Studiorum, Universita degli Studi di Bologna, Piazza Goidanich 60, 1-47023 Cesena (Italy), e-mail: [email protected]

The oldest evidence of neuropterous insects in Italian scientific literature dates back at least to the 15th-16th centuries and regards antlions. Documents concerning antlions and green lacewings are present in the outstanding corpus of watercolour illustrations of insects built up in the 16th cen­ tury by the great naturalist from Bologna, Ulisse Aldrovandi (1522-1605), and then reproduced in his work De animalibus insectis (1602). His illustrations of some adult antlions and a green lace­ wing are among the earliest to be found in printed works. Between the 16th and the early 18th cen­ turies, other Italian authors mention or deal with lacewings, mainly the outstanding scientist from Reggio, Antonio Vallisneri (1661-1730), who published bionomical and behavioural observations on antlions and green lacewings; he was the first to publish the life cycle of an antlion and to describe and illustrate the stalked eggs of green lacewings.

Key words - entomology, neuropterology, history, Italy, antlions, green lacewings, early authors.

Neuropterans in early literature titude on "antlions" in the present meaning and Italian scholars who dealt of the word seems to have been the Ger­ man Albrecht von BollsUidt, Dominican, with them before Linne bishop of Ratisbon, Saint Albert the Great (ca 1193-1280) (Saitta, 1929); theologian, It is well known that the earliest written philosopher, naturalist, 'the universal tea­ references to neuropterous insects con­ cher' of the thirteenth century. He spoke of cern the most well known since time im­ flattened insects, similar to ticks, digging memorial, antlions. The term "antlion", or pits in the sand for hunting ants (Aidro­ its equivalents and variants in different vandus, 1602, p. 523; 1623, p. 207; languages, occurs in the texts of ancient Wheeler, 1930, p. 6; Kevan, 1992). Patron civilizations even some centuries before saint of naturalists, for this reason we can Christ; but which animal or animals it re­ also consider him the specific patron of ferred to, we don't know with any cer­ neuropterolog ists! tainty. The first author who wrote with cer- Antlions, animals which prey upon ants, and existing somewhere between * This contribution is dedicated to Prof. Maria Matilde reality and myth in ancient times, were the Principi, Professor Emeritus in the Alma Mater Stu­ subject of early knowledge and beliefs diorum - Universita degli Studi di Bologna, on the perhaps partly referring to myrmeleontids; occasion of her 90th birthday (May 4th, 2005), as a sign of deep gratitude for her encouragement and this idea survived in European culture o­ help to the author at the beginning of his investiga­ ver the Middle Ages, gradually freeing it­ tions on Neuropterida. self from uncertainty and legend and fi-

9 Proceedings of the IX International Symposium on Neuropterology

nally referring to well-defined insects. ledge; the love of and wish to document Traces of these early vague ideas are the fascinating diversity of living beings, to be found in Italian authors at least as particularly insects with their metamor­ early as the 15th century. Later, an impor­ phoses; a practical and applied interest in tant representative of 16th-century scien­ nature in relation to man's activities, and tific humanism, Ulisse Aldrovandi, inclu­ possible advantages for him; the specu­ des some neuropterous insects, not only lative desire to classify nature, to reach a antlions, in his work on insects, and illu­ systematic knowledge of the physical strates them (Aidrovandus, 1602). About a world; the goal of investigating and un­ century later, another great Italian scien­ derstanding structures, functions, beha­ tist, Antonio Vallisneri, studied the life and viours, relations. behaviour of insects and gave an example of his observations describing the life cy­ Late Middle Ages and height of cle of an antlion (Vallisneri, 1700a) and the stalked eggs of a green lacewing (Val­ the Renaissance: Decembrio and lisneri, 1717). Besides these two protago­ Carda no nists of the history of biological science and entomology, a few other Italian stu­ In the works of at least two Italians be­ dents working in other branches of scien­ fore Aldrovandi, there is evidence of an ce left more marginal evidence of an inte­ interest in antlions: towards the end of the rest in these insects in the same period. Middle Ages we find mention of them in Thus, when we write of the Italian au­ the "Codex animalium", a handwritten be­ thors before Linne who studied the insects stiary by the learned humanist from Pavia, we now call neuropterans, we are refer­ Pier Candido Decembrio (Petrus Candi­ ring to a period which lasted over two cen­ dus Decembrius) (1392-1477). This cour­ turies, during which there was radical evo­ tier and diplomat translated classical au­ lution in scientific thought and substantial thors and wrote epigrams and tracts in changes in the way the study of nature prose (Viti, 1987). In the fourth volume of ~was approached: from the inheritance of his richly illustrated work, dating back to the Middle Ages, dogmatic and pervaded approximately 1460 (the date of the dra­ by myth, by way of the encyclopaedism of wings is uncertain), there is an illustration the late Renaissance, aimed at the com­ of a possible antlion larva, which the au­ plete recovery of classical knowledge and thor refers to as the so-called "Formicae still subject to the authority principle, to the Indicae" (Decembrius, ca 1460). This illu­ rise of the early scientific academies and stration may be the first true image of an the achievement of a new critical spirit and antlion larva, referred to with an early La­ the experimental method, the basis of mo­ tin name used for denoting the mythical dern science and a prelude to the season "gold-digging" ants. This picture has un­ of cataloguing and classifications of the doubtedly something of the chimerical and Enlightenment. fanciful: on the whole it resembles the te­ This development of methods and trapod larva of an antlion, but the head concepts forms the background to the il­ with palps between the mandibles, and lustrations and writings I am going to pre­ the four legs with strong claws, also recall sent. These documents are evidence of the morphology of a male stag-beetle. In centuries of interest in these insects in the codex, to one side of this image there Italy, and they reflect at least some of the is an illustration representing another mea­ principal driving forces that historically ning of "ant lion" in ancient times: a bigger have promoted the development of ento­ ant which has another much smaller ant in mology itself: the simple desire to preser­ its mouth (Bodenheimer, 1928-1929; Ke­ ve and hand down forerunners' know- van, 1992).

10 R. Nicoli Aldini- Aldrovandi and Vallisneri: the Italian contribution to knowledge of Neuropterous Insects

At the height of the Renaissance, the antlion larva is quoted in the work of ano­ ther student from Pavia, Gerolamo Car­ dana (Hieronymus Cardanus) (1501-1576) (Fig. 1 ), one among the more notable, ec­ centric and eclectic talents of the 16th century: he was physician, mathematician, physicist, astronomer, musician and phi­ losopher. There are short entomological references mostly in his work De subtili­ tate libri XXI, published in Paris in 1551. In another work, the seventh book ("De ani­ malium") of his De rerum varietate (1557), he also refers to antlions, following the description by Albert the Great, as being small animals, enemies of ants, like small grubs. They dig round pits in the sand, li­ ving in small holes at the bottom, where they catch ants for eating (Cardanus, 1557; see also Aldrovandus, 1602, p. 523; Fig. 1 -Portrait of Gerolamo Cardano (1501-1576), 1623, p. 207; Wheeler, 1930, p. 6). Car­ in the frontispiece of the first edition (Basel 1557) of dana seems therefore to give a relatively his De rerum varietate. accurate description of antlions, but he added nothing to what Albert the Great had already said three centuries before, as pointed out by Kevan ( 1992). When we read certain ancient ac­ counts of undefined insects digging pits in the sand we must remember, however, that they may refer to the larvae of ver­ mileonid dipterans.

Scientific Humanism in the late Renaissance: Ulisse Aldrovandi

But it was due mainly to Ulisse Aldro­ vandi (alias Aldrovando; Ulysses Aldro­ vandus in his works in Latin) (Fig. 2), who died four hundred years ago, in 1605, that neuropterous insects were introduced into the scientific literature of the Renaissance. This encyclopaedic talent and very re­ nowned naturalist, perhaps the greatest zoologist of the 16th century, was born in 1522 from a ruling family in Bologna - at that time in the Papal States - where he also died. His life was long and adventu­ rous, ruled by his boundless passion for Fig. 2 - Portrait of Ulisse Aldrovandi (1522-1605) (B.U.B., Bologna). natural history. He studied law, philosophy

11 Proceedings of the IX International Symposium on Neuropterology and medicine and he graduated in philo­ sophy and medicine at Bologna in 1553. He was professor for many years - tea­ ching pharmaceutical botany, logic, philo­ sophy, natural history - at Bologna Uni­ versity, and only late in life, when he was seventy-seven years old, he started the publication in Latin of his enormous work, the fruit of a life devoted to the collection of materials gathered together in a natural history museum - one of the first in the world - and to filing the great mass of na­ turalistic notions found in all his predeces­ sors' works, from ancient times onwards. The many volumes of Aldrovandi's manu­ scripts and watercolour illustrations of a­ nimal and plant subjects pertinent to his observations are preserved in the Uni­ versity Library of Bologna (B.U.B.) and are a precious source of reference for deeper analysis of the way of thinking and work­ ing of this renowned scholar. Born in the land which had experienced first - in Ma­ gna Graecia and Sicily - the development of Greek, and then the flourishing of Latin civilisation, he was under the spell of clas­ Fig. 3 - U. Aldrovandi, De animalibus insectis libri septem (Bologna 1602) (private library, Bologna): sical studies, demonstrating this interest frontispiece (photo R. Nicoli Aldini). by writing in his youth of the monuments of ancient Rome; but what was most fa­ 1929; Ganci, 1975; Montalenti, 1978; Si­ scinating for him was classical scientific monetta, 1994; Ganci & Poggi, 1996; Si­ knowledge (he was principally a follower mili, 2004; Nicoli Aldini, 2005). of Aristotelianism). The publication of his Of the many insects treated in the text works was continued posthumously by re­ and illustrated in woodcuts (e.g. see Figs latives and pupils; fortunately for entomo­ 4 A-E), a few adult myrmeleontids and logists, however, one of his works publi­ one chrysopid are recognisable. Aldro­ shed when he was still alive, and which vandi's woodcuts, which are among the therefore reflects faithfully his thought wi­ earliest printed illustrations of neuropte­ thout interference by others, is the work rous insects (as well as of many other in­ which principally deals with entomology, sects), are taken from the outstanding the De animalibus insectis libri septem, corpus of watercolour or wash drawings, published in Bologna in 1602 (Aidrovan­ more exact and helpful to us today in sub­ dus, 1602) (Fig. 3), and followed by seve­ ject identification; Aldrovandi had some ral re-editions later (Frankfurt 1618, 1623; artists carry out these colour drawings Bologna 1620, 1634, 1638-44). This ency­ earlier, as documentation of his research clopaedic book summarises knowledge of and collections; these documents (B.U.B., insects since ancient times, and it is en­ Ulisse Aldrovandi, Tavole di animali) (e.g. riched with original observations by the see Figs 5 A-D) date back to the second author and with many illustrations; it re­ half of the 16th century; the preparatory presents the beginning of a new age for writings of the book to be printed later da­ entomology (Berlese, 1909; Aldrovandi, te back to the same epoch. Adult antlions

12 R. Nicoli Aldini- Aldrovandi and Vallisneri: the Italian contribution to knowledge of Neuropterous Insects

A c

8

D E

Fig. 4- U. Aldrovandi, De animalibus insectis (Bologna 1602), woodcuts at pp. 303-305, 386, 414: A, p. 303 ("Perlae"); 8, p. 304 ("Perlae"); C, p. 305 ("Perlae"); D, p. 386 (some "Culices"); E, p. 414 (some "Locustae") (photos R. Nicoli Aldini).

13 Proceedings of the IX International Symposium on Neuropterology

·~·.··.

N' .1~' ':If -J~;,.,_, L>.. -.,~Lo ,..

A B

~ ~~iP'\·i h!,-i{!ii 1!-t'...... ·~ ~,.,-.

c D

Fig. 5- B.U.B., Ulisse Aldrovandi, Tavole di animali, tomo VII, carte 75, 76, 93, 110 (some of many Aldrovandi's plates with watercolour drawings of insects): A, c. 75; B, c. 76; C, c. 93; D, c. 110.

©Copyright Illustrations labelled B.U.B. printed with permission of the Biblioteca Universitaria, Bologna; any further repro­ duction or duplication by any means is forbidden.

14 R. Nicoli Aldini- Aldrovandi and Va/lisneri: the Italian contribution to knowledge of Neuropterous Insects

A B

c D

~ I

E F

G H

Fig. 6- A, U. Aldrovandi, De animalibus insectis (Bologna 1602, p. 305, fig. 8): adult antlion (woodcut): B, adult antlion (watercolour painted before the woodcut in Fig. 6 A) (B.U.B., Ulisse Aldrovandi, Tavole di animali, tomo VII, detail of c. 110); C, U. Aldrovandi, De animalibus insectis (Bologna 1602, p. 414, fig. 5): adult antlion, probably of the genus Palpares (woodcut); D, adult antlion, probably of the genus Pafpares (watercolour painted before the woodcut in Fig. 6 C) (B.U.B., Ulisse Aldrovandi, Tavole di animali, tomo VII, detail of c. 93); E, U. Al­ drovandi, De animafibus insectis (Bologna 1602, p. 304, fig. on the right, without number): adult antlion (wood­ cut); F, adult antlion (watercolour painted before the woodcut in Fig. 6 E) (B.U.B., Ulisse Aldrovandi, Tavole di animali, tomo VII, detail of c. 76); G, U. Aldrovandi, De animafibus insectis (Bologna 1602, p. 303, fig. 3): dam­ selfly, which in the woodcut resembles an adult antlion; H, the corresponding damselfy (watercolour painted be­ fore the woodcut in Fig. 6 G) (B.U.B., Ulisse Aldrovandi, Tavole di animali, tomo VII, detail of c. 92). (Figs 6 A, C, E, G: photos R. Nicoli Aldini).

15 Proceedings of the IX International Symposium on Neuropterology are illustrated and briefly described in the B.U.B., U. Aldrovandi, Tavole di animali, De animalibus insectis among the "Perlae" tomo VII, c. 76, fig. without any caption, in (i.e. together dragonflies and damselflies); the middle) (Figs 5 B, 6 F); another ("Tertia the term "per/ae" refers to the pearly reflec­ a/as habet breves, ad subcoeruleum inc/in­ tions from their wings. The per/a more im­ antes, alvum longissimam [ ... ] . Antennas mediately recognizable as an antlion (may­ habet, admodum breves subf/avas.") (6) is be of the genus Myrmeleon) (Figs 4 C, 6 A) represented in the woodcuts with distinct is briefly described in these words: "Octava and relatively strong antennae (Figs 4 A, 6 alvum habet obtusam, ac minime bifur­ G) (Aidrovandus, 1602, p. 303, fig. 3, and p. catam, toto corpore ferrugineo, a/is can­ 304; 1623, p. 118 and 119 (top): Per/ae fig. didis, a latere ferrugineis." ("[ ... ] a /atere 3 ), but is clearly a damselfly if we consider ferrugineo." in the 1623 edition) C> (Aidro­ the respective previous colour drawing (Fig. vandus, 1602, p. 304 and p. 305, fig. 8; 6 H) (with the caption: "Perla /utea et fer­ 1623, p. 118 and p. 119 (bottom): Perlae ruginea a/is non maculatis subcoeru/eis") () fig. 8), and it corresponds to a watercolour, (B.U.B., U. Aldrovandi, Tavole di animali, in the University Library of Bologna, of a tomo VII, c. 92). specimen described as "Perla a/is praelon­ While the antlion adults are associated gis sine maculis cauda simplici minime bi­ to dragonflies and damselflies with the furcata" e) (B.U.B., U. Aldrovandi, Tavole name of perlae, or - on second thoughts - di animali, tomo VII, c. 110) (Figs 5 D, 6 B). to butterflies or moths in a single case with Another species (Figs 4 E, 6 C) seems to spotty-coloured wings, Aldrovandi deals at be of the genus Pa/pares; this attribution is some length with the antlion larva, using easier if we refer to the watercolour draw­ both the Greek term "MupfJf]KoJ..twv" ings (B.U.B., U. Aldrovandi, Tavole di ani­ (Myrmecole6n) and the Latin "Formica/eo" mali, tomo VII, c. 93) (Figs 5 C, 6 D), in or "Formica/eon", in the part of his book which it is defined as "Locustae cognata" covering ants, but without personal obser­ e) - an attribution based perhaps on the vations, reporting only what other authors head and mouthparts, and other similarities wrote on this animal between reality and - and in the book is placed in a plate that legend, citing Albert the Great and Car­ illustrates grasshoppers and mantids, but dane, to whom he gives more credit, then the author writes that this insect is por­ Saint Jerome and other authors. Aldro­ trayed there by error and is to be placed vandi, like his forerunners, did not know among butterflies or moths: "Papilionis icon about the metamorphosis of antlions. We est, quam supra dedimus inter papiliones" will have to wait for another century and the (4 ), Aldrovandi writes (Aidrovandus, 1602, works of another Italian, Vallisneri, for an p. 414, fig. 5, and p. 415; 1623, p. 162 (on explanation of the life cycle of this insect. the right): Locustae fig. 5, and p. 164); Here is a part of Aldrovandi's text about however in the text and plates regarding antlions (Aidrovandus, 1602, p. 523; 1623, these insects there is no trace of it. For two p. 207; see also Wheeler, 1930, p. 6): other printed illustrations of "Perlae" the wa­ "MupJ.lfJKOAtwv, vel Formicoleo, Alberto Magno tercolour drawings in Aldrovandi's "Tavole di vacatur lnsectum quasi inter Formicas leo, si­ animali" are enlightening in their interpreta­ mulque Formica et leo, animal quidem parvum, tion: one insect ("prior alas habet subflavas, sed Formicis adeo infestum, ut se in pulvere et corpore toto flavo est exceptis zonis, abscondens, semsphaericum sibi velut vallum e pulvere, munitionemque aedificans, Formi­ quae sunt ferrugineae.") (5) is represented cas frumenta gestantes aggressus interficiat ex without antennae (Figs 4 B, 6 E) (Aidrovan­ insidiis. Alii aiunt esse quidem ex Formicarum dus, 1602, p. 304, and figure on the right, genere, sed multo maiorem, et dum adhuc without a number, on the same page; 1623, parvus est, et invalidus robore, pacem ac mo­ p. 118 and p. 119 (on the right): Perlae fig. destiam simulare; at ubi vires acceperit, pristi­ without number), but is a myrmeleontid (see na consortia despicere, et contra maiores tur-

16 R. Nicoli Aldini- Aldrovandi and Vallisneri: the Italian contribution to knowledge of Neuropterous Insects

bas concitare. [ ... ] Cardanus sic meminit: lnsi­ lacewing is also to be found in the pre­ diatur Formicis animal Erucae parvae simile, vious papers of painted insects (Figs 5 A, sic interpretor Alberti, qui hoc vidit, verba: in 7 C), where it is defined as "Culex papilio­ sabula foveam sibi fingens, haemisphaerii for­ naceus quadripennis Viridis" C0 ) (B.U.B., ma, in cuius apice quasi polus, foramen existit Ulisse Aldrovandi, Tavole di animali, tomo angustum ex quo improvisus insultat Formicis, easque devorat. hoc Formica/eon ab Alberto VII, c. 75); in this case again, in the text of appellatur. [ ... ]" (8 ). the printed book Aldrovandi corrected the erroneous location, referring this insect to Aldrovandi goes on to quote other pos­ the group of "Perlae". Aldrovandi writes: sible uses of the word antlion and men­ tions myrmecophagous mammals; but at "De septimo maxime dubito, num inter Culices sit referendus, nescioque qua incuria hie inter this point it is interesting to note that, sur­ Culices positus. nam Per/is dictis minimis po­ prisingly, a faithful colour drawing of an tius adscripserim. Culicibus vu/garibus sive antlion larva (probably Myrmeleon or Eu­ lacustribus maior, corpore tenui, graci!i, ob­ ro/eon) is to be found in Aldrovandi's /ongo, viridi, linea ex futeo pal/ida medium dor­ Tavole di animali, under the illustration of sum intersecante, quae a capite incipit, et in the adult Palpares, and this larva (B.U.B., caudam desinit, antennis mediocribus, absque U. Aldrovandi, Tavole di animali, tomo VII, oris aculeo, a/is quaternis argentei splendoris, c. 93) (Figs 5 C, 7 A) is defined as "Ricino magnis." C1). congener'' (9 ), probably with reference to This is one of the earliest descriptions its sucking mouthparts and the bulky, and illustrations of a green lacewing, pos­ swollen abdomen recalling a tick; a re­ sibly of the genus Chrysoperla, preceded semblance already noted by Albert the only by the illustration published by Hoef­ Great for the antlion. But neither a wood­ nagel in 1592 (see Aspock & Aspock, cut from this picture, nor any reference in 2007). If we take the latter lines of this the text on ticks, are to be found in the De piece, or those describing the adult ant­ animalibus insectis for this insect, perhaps lions which are quoted above, we find, enigmatic for Aldrovandi. more than one and an half centuries be­ Another very interesting neuropterolo­ fore Linne (1707-1778), short descriptions gical aspect of Aldrovandi's work is that a of insects, comparable with those of the true green lacewing is briefly described great Swedish naturalist (who appreciated and represented (Figs 4 D, 7 B) in a plate, Aldrovandi's work, quoted him here and among some "Cu/ices" (Aidrovandus, there in his Systema naturae, and em­ 1602, p. 386, fig. 7, and p. 387; 1623, p. ployed certain of his scientific names) 136: Culices fig. 7, and p. 152). The green (Linnaeus, 1758).

A 8 c Fig. 7- A, larva of myrmeleontid, probably of the genus Myrmeleon or Euroleon (watercolour) (B.U.B., Ulisse Aldrovandi, Tavole di animali, tomo VII, detail of c. 93); B, U. Aldrovandi, De animalibus insectis (Bologna 1602, p. 386, fig. 7): green lacewing (woodcut) (photo R. Nicoli Aldini); C, green lacewing (watercolour painted before the woodcut in Fig. 7 B) (B.U.B., Ulisse Aldrovandi, Tavole di animali, tomo VII, detail of c. 75).

17 Proceedings of the IX International Symposium on Neuropterology

Aldrovandi's doubts and afterthoughts thusiasm for seeking the truth. Collecting on the classification of antlions and green ample documentation of animals, plants lacewings reflect his changing ideas while and minerals, as Aldrovandi himself had he was collecting material, arranging it done, was an indispensable step in the and later preparing the publication, and realisation of subsequent printed illustra­ the difficulty he had describing these in­ tions. This document also testifies therefo­ sects and including them in the major in­ re to the interest for insects developed sect groups then recognized. We must under the aegis of the Academy created remember, moreover, that he was working by Cesi, precursor of modern botany and before the invention and diffusion of the promoter of the Theatrum totius naturae, microscope. Furthermore his classification an encyclopaedic work which was never of insects, while based on dichotomous published, of which Cesi's famous Apia­ method, rather than being an attempt at a rium, together with Stelluti's Melissogra­ systematic arrangement, is somewhat he­ phia, was an early fruit. This work, finished terogeneous and based on various crite­ in 1625, was also the first essay on in­ ria, not only morphology but also including sects (honeybees) described and illustra­ habitats and so on. We will still have to ted using a microscope (Baccetti, 1993; wait a long time for the systematic arran­ Nicoli Aldini, 2002). gements of Ray or Linne, and yet longer Another Italian scientist, Antonio Valli­ before finding the Neuroptera as a unitary­ sneri (alias Vallisnieri, Valsinieri) (1661- physiognomy group in systematics! 1730) (Fig. 8), a physician and naturalist, The analysis carried out here of Aldro­ is no less important than Aldrovandi in the vandi's neuropterological work aims to, history of biology and entomology. Born partially, fill the gap it has sometimes re­ into a noble family in the fortress of Tresi­ cently been claimed exists in the progress lico (now Trassilico), in the Garfagnana of knowledge of these insects between the area, citizen of Reggio (now Reggio first half of the 16th century and the early neii'Emilia) and subject of the Dukedom of 18th century (see Kevan, 1992; Letardi, the Family of Este, he started his univer­ 2004 ), especially in the light of the atten­ sity studies in Bologna, where he was a tion now being paid to the history of this disciple of Marcello Ma!pighi (1628-1694), knowledge. who left an indelible mark on his pupil. Vallisneri then graduated in Medicine at Reggio University, and practised medicine 17th and early 18th century: in Venice, Padua and Parma. During this Antonio Vallisneri period he devoted himself to intense natu­ ralistic research, quickly achieving interna­ A waterco!our illustration of a neurop­ tional scientific notoriety, and was soon teran is also to be found in Uncei's natura­ called to teaching first practical medicine listic manuscripts and drawings up to the and then theoretical medicine at Padua first decades of the 17th century, as Le­ University. He held the chair for thirty years tardi (2004) has recently shown, publi­ (1700-1730), during which time he had to shing a figure of an antlion, perhaps Megi­ apply himself mainly to medical studies stopus flavicornis (Rossi, 1790). The aims (Montalenti, 1937; Conci, 1975; Simonet­ of the "Accademia dei Lincei", founded in ta, 1994; Conci & Poggi, 1996). Of his Rome in 1603, shortly before Aldrovandi's scientific investigations, conducted with death, by the young Roman prince Fede­ the benefit of a subtle mind and informed rico Cesi (1585-1630), were to gather stu­ by Bacon's and Galilei's experimental dic­ dents who would devote themselves to the tates, many were entomological. His stu­ study of nature with sagacity, rigour of dies of insect generation are particularly method, a new critical approach, and en- worthy of mention: Dia/oghi sopra Ia curio-

18 R Nicoli Aldini - Aldrovandi and Va/lisneri: the Italian contribution to knowledge of Neuropterous Insects

As regards neuropterans, the value of Vallisneri's research on the antlion did not fade over time (Reaumur, 1742; Linnaeus, 1758; Wheeler, 1930; lnsom eta/., 1979; Letardi, 1998; and others); this is also the proper place to recall his early annotations concerning a chrysopid, quoted also by Linnaeus (1758, p. 549, under Hemero­ bius per/a), despite an inaccurate refer­ ence. His notes were published in the Ve­ netian magazine "La Galleria di Minerva" (Fig. 9): "Maniera rara, e curiosa d'un ln­ setto Anonimo nel collocare le sue uova" (Vallisneri, 1717, p. 152). This short text is here entirely reported, with the original typing: "Fil portato If 25 Maggio at Vallisnieri un galan­ tissimo lnsetto volante, ch'egli ripone in una spezie di mezzo fra Ia Farfalla, e if Cevettone. Questi era tutto d'un elegantissimo color verde, eccettuati gli occhi tinti di color d'oro. Era cor­ redato di quattro ali membranacee lucide e Fig. 8 Portrait of Antonio Vallisneri (1661-1730) smeraldine, grandi a proporzione, le quali co­ (after Conci & Poggi, 1996). privano tutto if corpo. Quando si posa, sta coll'ali chiuse neJ margine superiore, e aperte sa origine di mofti insetti, published in Ve~ nell'inferiore, aguisa del tetto d'una Casa, dalle nice (Vallisneri, 1700b ), and the Esperien­ quaff tutto viene difeso, e coperto, eccettuato if ze, e osservazioni intorno all'origine, svi­ capo, e if collo, ed un'angolo nel principia del luppi e costumi di varj insetti, published in dorso. Piedi, ventre, Torace, dorso, co/lo, capo tutto tinto di verde. Gli occhi soli colorati d'oro. Padua (Vallisneri, 1713), both also contai­ Porta il rostro in cima Ia bocca, e /e antenne ning research aimed at refuting the theory sui capo rivoltate in dietro, e interrotte da of spontaneous generation. He made spessi nodi. Ecco Ia figura. Tav. j. Fig. 3. (c) many other contributions, and produced Rinchiuso in una scatola, vide Ia matina se­ reworkings, on entomological subjects. guente cinquanta uova anch'esse verdi apple­ Vallisneri's scientific production is there­ cafe tutte a/ volto della medesima, e ne' dintor­ fore very complex (Sabia, 1996; Generali, ni delle parti, nel modo, che rappresenta Ia Fig. 2004); it is written almost exclusively in 4. T.j. (d) Italian. After his death, all his writings II fifo, sui qua/e cadauna posava era duretto fatto d'una colla, o gelatina viscosa, che resi­ were collected and republished in three steva a/l'urto piegandosi, e poi tomando a/ suo volumes (Vallisneri, 1733) under the care - luogo. Erano di figura alquanto ovata, e ras­ at least nominally - of his young homony~ sembravano tanti piccoli aghi col foro capo. mous son Antonio, who was then profes­ Dopo ne trovo sopra foglie delle Rose, e sopra sor of natural history at Padua University. altre erbe, e ne dara un giorno ulteriore notizia. At the present time the "Edizione Naziona­ (c) Tav. I. Fig. 3. (d) Tav. I. Fig. 4." C2). le delle Opere di A. Vallisneri" is being edi­ The drawing of the green lacewing ted and printed in Italy (since 2004, Prof. provided by Vallisneri (Figs 10 A-C) is Daria General! scientific co-ordinator, Leo really rather rough in comparison with S. Olschki publisher, Florence); the those to be found in previous or contem~ "Edizione" will also include the publication porary works by other authors (see of the numerous manuscripts. Aspock & Aspock, 2007). His observations

19 Proceedings of the IX International Symposium on Neuroptero/ogy on this chrysopid were afterwards repub­ sees an adult emerging from the soil, he lished in the posthumous edition of the says, could be mistaken, like the Ancients, Opere fisico-mediche (Vallisneri, 1733, and think that it is generated by the soil! tomo Ill, p. 211 ), and we can also read a His observations started from some larval version of them in the first of the Quaderni pits found at the foot of an oak and in the di osservazioni, a manuscript dating back bank of a ditch. He also reports larval to the last years of the 17th century, and movements backwards, the way it can dig recently published (Pennuto, 2004, p. 62); an initial pit, its resistance to fasting, the in the manuscript the chrysopid is indi­ castings. As regards larval feeding, he cated as "insetto in forma di cevittone pic­ thinks it consists exclusively or principally colo" and there is also a sketch of its pe­ in sucking prey's "linfa" (lymph, of ants or dunculate eggs. As regards the word "ce­ other small arthropods), and he supposes vittone" or "cevettone", this is a vernacular a correlation between the morphology of and augmentative term derived from "ci­ the forceps and ability to grasp victims of vetta" (owlet), and used by Vallisneri to different shape and size. He also notes name the dragonflies, damselflies and o­ the location of the pits in relation to the ther similar insects (corresponding there­ cardinal points. By rearing larvae he ex­ fore to Aldrovandi's Perlae; see also Cenci periments with the pupating in an artificial & Nielsen, 1956, pp. 40-43). Like Aldro­ environment without dusty soil, in order to vandi, Vallisneri also saw a similarity or relationship between green lacewings, antlions, dragonflies and damselflies, even though he expressed some doubt regard­ ing their affinities. As far as myrmeleontids are con­ cerned, Vallisneri's observations are to be found in his Secondo dialogo between Pliny and Malpighi, also published in the "Galleria di Minerva" (Vallisneri, 1700a, pp. 302-305), without illustrations. One of C ( t N ....; ~ C ~ A ., A _,"f-•Y·· fi/~tt1t•t!u~ _, 1":1' ~-~~~··rfi..,,.{;,il'lfllllltt: .flit!(.. the aims of this "dialogue" - a literary CARLO CONTARINI genre common in scientific literature of the t"f~w_.._-«w~k.~"" ~)..,. r~.,~. 17th and 18th centuries - was to refute the theory of spontaneous generation with evidence, as we can see in the contrapo­ sition between an ancient author (Pliny) and a modern one (Malpighi, teacher of Vallisneri himself). Through Malpighi, Val­ lisneri reports his own observations on the life cycle of the antlion and accurately de­ scribes the larva - which digs pits in dusty soils and has the characteristic forceps ("tanaglie"), whose functions are pointed out -, pupa, cocoon, adult and its emer­ ging, the meconium produced by the adult, and erroneously interpreted as an Fig. 9 - Frontispiece of a volume of the early periodi­ egg; he provides other observations on cal La Galleria di Minerva, published at Venice from the behaviour and the environment of this 1696 to 1717 (after Sabia, 1996}; this periodical pu­ insect, whose surprising life is at first sub­ blished Vallisneri's observations on antlions and terranean, then aerial. The person who green lacewings.

20 R. Nicoli Aldini- Aldrovandi and Vallisneri: the Italian contribution to knowledge of Neuropterous Insects

\1\i ;;:.. n DFLLL l !CU F SOP!tA LC OSSERVA'lrONl v'-t ~,. 1'1 ~-~•' L-' '•i''>·;-~-:::art~;',{•

B

A

Fig. 10- A, A. Vallisnieri ("La Galleria di Minerva", Venice 1717, tav. 1), plate with illustration of a chrysopid and its stalked eggs; B, C, details of the same plate (by courtesy of Prof. D. Generali). better observe silk reeling and metamor­ tance, for the history of neuropterology, of phosis. Furthermore, he dissects larvae the above findings of Vallisneri, the first and adults. He also writes that he has author to the best of our knowledge to de­ more than once observed adults laying scribe and illustrate the stalked eggs of eggs in dusty soils. He names the larva chrysopids and to publish the life cycle of "verme formicario" (worm of ants), the a myrmeleontid (and also the first to de­ pupa "ninfa", the adult "cevettone", a re­ scribe the holometabolous development of gional word whose meaning is reported a neuropteran): he was conscious of this above. The accurate description of the and he did not neglect defending the adult's colouring, together with the bio­ originality of his observations on antlions ethological data provided and the asserted from supposed plagiarism - quarrels not larval place of origin, at least partially, in rare between men of science - by the the surroundings of Bologna, suggest that French anatomist Fran<;ois Poupart (1661- his antlion could be identified today as a 1709). In 1704, some years after the pub­ Myrmeleon, almost certainly M. formi­ lication of Vallisneri's text, Poupart pre­ carius Linnaeus, 1767. sented a work on the antlion to the Sci­ Re-editions of this subject are to be ence Academy of Paris, published in the found in Vallisneri's works. A typographi­ same year (Poupart, 1704; Hagen, 1862- cally unfortunate reprinting of the Secondo 1863; Horn & Schenkling, 1928-1929), dialogo was published, indeed, in the containing observations similar to Vallis­ same year (Vallisneri, 1700b), and the neri's together with a plate illustrating the same is obviously comprised in the post­ antlion stages, and written seemingly in humous edition of the Opere fisico­ ignorance of the previous Italian work. mediche (Vallisneri, 1733, tomo I, pp. 32- Vallisneri did not fail to censure politely 75). In the first of his Quaderni di osser­ the presumed misdeed. vazioni (Pennuto, 2004, pp. 18-28) we can The matter is reported by Reaumur also read the detailed handwritten annota­ (1683-1757) in his Memoires, at the be­ tions which were of use for drafting the ginning of his very ample and valuable dialogue on the antlion. work on the antlion (Reaumur, 1742: It is needless to underline the impor- "Dixieme Memoire. Histoire des formi-

21 Proceedings of the IX International Symposium on Neuropterology caleo"; see also Wheeler, 1930, p. 7, note the text by Vallisneri, even though the fi­ 1; Albouy, 2001, p. 277 and subs.). Re­ gures do not fully correspond to the spe­ aumur not only asserted convincingly that cies described by him (at least with regard his compatriot had made his observations to the adult, which could be a Myrmeleon, independently, but also reported that two see above). other Frenchmen had anticipated Vallis­ It seems worthwhile to reproduce here neri in their observations on the insect, both the plate (Fig. 11) added to the "Se­ without publishing them. Quoting the fore­ condo dialogo" in the posthumous edition runners in his memoirs, Reaumur correctly of Vallisneri's work (Vallisneri, 1733), and drew attention to their earlier contribution that from the work of Poupart; the latter on the subject, pointing out that Poupart's (Fig. 12) is taken from an Italian posthu­ observations differ from Vallisneri's be­ mous translation published in Venice cause the former are more detailed and (Poupart, 1750) of the Frenchman's Hi­ exact on certain aspects, less accurate as stoire du formica-leo of 1704; both plates regards others. Poupart probably publi­ also illustrate nymphs of dragonflies, shed first-hand data; in addition his notes which Poupart briefly mentions, and which and plate enable us to identify as Eu­ also interested Vallisneri. roleon nostras (Geoffroy in Fourcroy, Two centuries later, ignoring any polem­ 1785) the species studied by him. For the ics, we can today recognise both authors posthumous edition of the Opere fisico­ as being almost simultaneously the first to mediche (Vallisneri, 1733), Poupart's plate disclose and reveal to the scientific com­ was then copied and published to illustrate munity the basic features of the life cycle

j

"·~ I) ~-J: ~~- ;; A f::' It! (I"

Fig. 11 -A. Vallisneri (Opere fisico-mediche ... , Venice 1733, Torno I, Tav. II): life stages and pit-trap of an ant­ lion; the plate also illustrates some early stages of dragonflies and their details (numbers 12-16) (by courtesy of Prof. D. Generali); this plate was taken from that of Poupart, 1704.

22 R. Nicoli Aldini- Aldrovandi and Val/isneri: the Italian contribution to knowledge of Neuropterous Insects

Fig. 12- F. Poupart (Memorie appartenenti alia storia naturale ... , Venice 1750, Torno VI, Cl. II, Tav. Ll): life stages and pit-trap of an antlion (Euroleon nostras) (the plate also illustrates some early stages of dragonflies and their details: numbers 12-16) in a posthumous Italian re-edition of his Histoire du formica-leo (Paris 1704): the original plate dating back to 1704 served as a model for that in the posthumous edition (1733) of Vallisneri's scientific work. (Private library, Bologna; photo R. Nicoli Aldini).

23 Proceedings of the IX International Symposium on Neuropterology and the ethology of the most renowned his courtesy in answering my requests and insect among neuropterans. making scansions of text and plates from Val­ Before Linne, Aldrovandi's and Valli­ lisneri's works available to me. sneri's work contributed therefore to the Heartfelt thanks to Dott. Roberto Poggi, Di­ rector of the Museo Civico di Storia Naturale advance of knowledge on Neuroptera, and "Giacomo Doria", Genoa, who kindly helped as even in this minute part of their ample regards the reproduction of a portrait of Valli­ scope in the field of biological sciences, sneri. we can perceive interests, methodological My warmest thanks to Univ.-Prof. Horst approaches and objectives which marked Aspock, Abteilung fOr Medizinische Parasitolo­ and directed the development of science gie, Klinisches lnstitut fUr Hygiene und Med. over national and historical boundaries. Mikrobiologie der Medizinischen Universitat, A very important general contribution if Vienna, who enabled me to improve this work, we consider the impulse given by Aldro­ through the exchange of valuable information on early knowledge on chrysopids. vandi to the applied and systematic stu­ Thanks are also due to Dott. Piero Piani, dies of insects and his importance as a Studio Bibliografico - Libreria Naturalistica, Bo­ landmark for insect nomenclature, or by logna, and the Bibliographic Information Ser­ Vallisneri to the knowledge of insect mor­ vice of the Biblioteca deii'Archiginnasio, Bolo­ phology, bionomy, behaviour, environ­ gna, for their useful collaboration in finding the mental relations, and to the definitive re­ Italian periodical in which Poupart's antlion hi­ futing of the theory of spontaneous gene­ story was republished. ration. Finally, I would also like to thank Dott. A contribution largely preceeding the Agostino Letardi, ENEA Centro Ricerche Casaccia, Rome, for his valuable suggestions, great season of systematics of the 18th Dott.ssa Wendy Farrar, Universita Cattolica del and 19th centuries, when in Italian coun­ Sacro Cuore, Piacenza, for her careful revision tries, following in the wake of Linne, some of my English, and Dott. Matteo Anaclerio, lsti­ outstanding zoologists and university pro­ tuto di Entomologia, Universita Cattolica, fessors such as Giovanni Antonio Scopoli Piacenza, for his collaboration in the manage­ (1723-1788) from Trentino at ldrija and ment of digitalized illustrations. Pavia, Pietro Rossi (1738-1804) from Tuscany at Pisa, and later Achille Costa Notes (1823-1898) from Apulia at Naples, will also be working on neuropterous insects. (') "The eighth [per/a] has a blunt abdomen without A contribution which deserves to be bifurcation, all the body being iron-coloured and the wings white, iron-coloured on the edge". fully recognised. C) "Perla with very long, spotless wings and simplex abdomen [or "tail"] without bifurcation". C) "Relative of the locust". Acknowledgements n "It is a figure of a butterfly or moth, which we gave above among them". I would like to express my deep gratitude to ( 5 ) "The first has yellowish wings and it is of com­ Dott.ssa Biancastella Antonino, Director of the pletely yellow body, with exception of some iron­ coloured areas". Biblioteca Universitaria, Bologna, and to n "The third has short wings tending to be bluish, Dott.ssa Laura Miani, in charge of the Ufficio very long abdomen [ ... ]. It has extremely short, yel­ Manoscritti of the same library, for permission lowish antennae". to reproduce the following library material, with C) "Yellowish and iron coloured per/a, with spotless exemption from payment of copyright fees: and bluish wings". B.U.B., Ulisse Aldrovandi, Tavole di animali, ( 8 ) "MuptJf]KoMwv, or Formica/eo, according to Albert tomo VII, cc. 75, 76, 92, 93, 110; also, a por­ the Great is the name of an insect which is like a lion trait of Ulisse Aldrovandi. among ants, at the same time both ant and lion, a small animal but so dangerous for the ants which, I would also like to direct my most sincere hiding itself in the dust and constructing a kind of and cordial thanks to Prof. Dario Generali, Mi­ round rampart forming a trench, attacks the ants lan, scientific co-ordinator of the "Edizione Na­ while they are carrying grains of wheat and kills them zionale delle Opere di Antonio Vallisneri", for insidiously. Other authors write that it is of the same

24 R. Nicoli Aldini- Aldrovandi and Vallisneri: the Italian contribution to knowledge of Neuropterous Insects family as ants, but much bigger, and while it is still moires choisis et introduits par V. Albouy, avec Ia young and weak, it simulates peace and mildness; collaboration de D. Lorgere, J. Meloche et D. Ri­ but when it has token strength, it disdains its former chard. Ed. J. Millon, Grenoble, 413 pp. companions and rushes forward against bigger Aldrovandi L., 1929- Aldrovandi, Ulisse. In: Enciclo­ masses. [ ... ] Carda no recalls it as follows: an animal pedia ltaliana di Scienze, Lettere ed Arti, lstituto which resembles a small grub lays traps for ants, so I della Enciclopedia ltaliana, Roma, vol. II, 284-285. interpret the words of Albert, who saw it: it digs a Aldrovandus U., 1602 - De animalibus insectis libri round pit in the sand, at the bottom of which, as a septem, cum singulorum iconibus ad vivum ex­ pole, a narrow hole exists, from which it suddenly pressis. Bononiae, apud loan. Baptistam Bella­ assails the ants and devours them. This is called gambam, (10)-767-(45) pp. Formica/eon by Albert.[ ... ]". Aldrovandus U., 1623 - De animalibus insectis libri ( 9 ) "Of the same genus as the tick". septem. In quibus omnia ilia animalia accuratissime ('0 ) "Green mosquito similar to a butterfly, with four describuntur, eorum leones ad vivum ob oculos po­ wings". nuntur tandemque etiam natura, mores ac proprieta­ (") "As to the seventh [insect] I have the greatest tes ita declarantur, ut quicquid de iis dici queat, faci­ doubts that it is referable to mosquitoes, and I do not le inde innotescat. Francofurti, Typis Joannis Hoferi, know what carelessness led to it being placed here lmpensis Joannis Treudelii, ( 1 0)-300-(22) pp. among them. In fact I should have referred rather to Aspock H. & Aspock U., 2007 - Illustrations of the smallest of the above-mentioned per/ae. It is lar­ Chrysopidae in the early entomological literature. ger than the common or lake mosquitoes, with a Annali del Museo Civico di Storia naturale di Ferra­ delicate, long, thin, green body, with a dorsal median ra, 8: 27-44. pale-yellow line that goes dorsally from the head to Baccetti B., 1993- Francesco Stelluti (1577-1653) e the abdomen, with modest antennae, without mouth Ia nascita della morfologia zoologica. Memorie del­ sting, with four large and silvery shining wings". la Societa entomologica italiana, 71 (II) (1992): ('2 ) "On May 25 a very graceful insect was brought to 391-408. Vallisnieri, who considered it a mid-way species be­ Berlese A., 1909 - Gli insetti, foro organizzazione, tween the butterfly and the "cevettone". This insect svifuppo, abitudini e rapporti coll'uomo. Vol. I, So­ was completely coloured in a very elegant green, cieta Editrice Libraria, Milano, 1004 pp. (cfr. cap. 1: with exception of the eyes, which were gold­ Breve storia dell'entomologia, 5-30). coloured. It was provided with four shining and eme­ Bodenheimer F.S., 1928-1929 - Tabellen des vor­ rald, proportionate membranous wings, which cove­ linneischen lnsektenbestandes. Sonder-Abdruck aus red all its body. When the insect settles, it rests with F.S. Bodenheimer's Geschichte der Entomologie, 2 wings close at their upper edge, and open at their Bde., 984 Seiten, Verlag W. Junk, Berlin, 176 pp. lower edge, like the roof of house: the insect is com­ Cardanus H., 1557 - De rerum varietate libri XVII. pletely protected and covered by these wings, with Adiectus est capitum, rerum et sententiarum notatu exception of the head, the neck, and an angle at the dignissimarum index. Basileae, Henrichum Petri, beginning of the back. Feet, abdomen, thorax, back, (6)-707-(16) pp. neck, head, are all green-coloured. Only the eyes Conci C., 1975- Repertorio delle biografie e biblio­ are gold-coloured. It has the mouth on the tip of the grafie degli scrittori e cultori italiani di entomologia. snout, and the antennae turned backwards on the Memoria della Societa entomologica italiana, 48 head, and interrupted with frequent nodes. Here is (1969), fasc. V: 817-1069. the figure. Plate j. Fig. 3. (c). Conci C. & Nielsen C., 1956- Odonata. Fauna d'ltalia, After closing it in a box, the morning after he saw fifty val. I, Edizioni Calderini, Bologna, X+298 pp. eggs, also green, all stuck to the reverse side of the Conci C. & Poggi R., 1996- Iconography of Italian same, and in the proximity of the sides, in the man­ entomologists, with essential biographical data. ner illustrated in the fig. 4, pl. j (d). Memorie della Societa entomologica italiana, 75: The thread on which each egg rested was rather 159-382. hard, made of a glue, or viscous gelatin, which re­ Decembrius P. C., ca 1460- De omnium animalium sisted to a blow by bending, and then returning to its natura atque formis nee non rebus memoria et an­ place. They were quite ovate in shape, resembling notatione dignis ad illustrissimum Principem D. Lu­ many small pins with their head. Later he found simi­ dovicum Gonzagam Mantuae Marchionem. Codi­ lar eggs on the leaves of the roses, and on other ces Urbinates Latini, 276, Biblioteca Apostolica Va­ plants, and one day he will report on them. (c) Plate ticana, Roma (handwritten codex). I. Fig. 3. (d) Plate I. Fig. 4.". Generali D., 2004 - Bibliografia delle opere di Anto­ nio Vallisneri. Biblioteca deii'Edizione Nazionale delle Opere di Antonio Vallisneri, 1, Leo S. Olschki References Editore, Firenze, 265 pp. Gliozzi G., 1976- Cardano, Gerolamo. In: Dizionario Albouy V. (ed.), 2001 - Rene-Antoine Ferchault de Biografico degli ltaliani, lstituto della Enciclopedia Reaumur, Histoire des insectes. Noctuelles, puce­ ltaliana, Roma, val. XIX, 758-763. rons, mouches de Saint-Marc, moustiques, bour­ Hagen H.A., 1862-1863- Bibliotheca entomo/ogica. dons, fourmilions, ephemeres et guepes. Dix me- Die Utteratur uber das ganze Gebiet der Entomo-

25 Proceedings of the IX International Symposium on Neuropterology

Iogie bis zum Jahre 1862. Leipzig, Verlag von W. Reaumur R.-A. Ferchault de, 1742- Memoires pour Engelmann, erster Band, Xll+566 pp.; zweiter servir a /'Histoire des insectes, vol. 6 (Suite de Band, 512 pp. I'Histoire des Mouches a quatre ailes, avec un Horn W. & Schenkling S., 1928-1929- Index Littera­ Supplement a celle des Mouches a deux ailes). - turae Entomologicae. Serie 1: Die Welt-Literatur L'lmprimerie Royale, Paris, (4)-LXXXI-608 pp. Ober die gesamte Entomologie bis inklusive 1863. Sabia M., 1996 - Le opere di Antonio Vallisneri. Lui­ Band I-IV, Selbstverlag Dr. W. Horn, Berlin­ se Editore, Rimini, 398 pp. Dahlem, XXI+1426 pp., 4 tavv. Saitta G., 1929 - Alberto Magno. In: Enciclopedia lnsom E., Del Centina P. & Carfi S., 1979- Alcuni ltaliana di Scienze, Lettere ed Arti, lstituto della Neurotteri Planipenni ltaliani (Osmilidae, Ascala­ Enciclopedia ltaliana, Roma, vol. II, 194-195. phidae, Myrmeleonidae). Redia, 62: 35-52. Simili R. (ed.), 2004- If teatro della natura di U/isse Kevan D. K. McE., 1992 - Antlion ante Linne: Aldrovandi. Editrice Compositori, Bologna, 2a ed., Mup1.H]KOA£WV to Myrmeleon (Insecta: Neuroptera: 143 pp. Myrmeleontidae). In: Canard M., Aspock H., Simonetta A.M., 1994 - Breve storia della biologia Mansell M.W. (Eds.) - Current Research in Neu­ dalle origini all'inizio del XX secolo. Collana U.Z.I. ropterology, Proceedings of the 41h Int. Symposium "Problemi di biologia e di storia della natura", Cen­ on Neuropterology. Bagneres-de-Luchon, 203-232. tro lnterdipartimentale Audiovisivi e Stampa, Uni­ Letardi A., 1998 - Present knowledge of Italian Neu­ versita di Camerino, 408 pp. ropterida: history, distribution and current pro­ Vallisneri A. [as Valsinieri A.], 1700a- Secondo Dia­ blems. Acta zoo/ogica Fennica, 209: 145-149. logo di Antonio Valsinieri Scandianese, Cittadino di Letardi A., 2004 - Antlion ante Linne (Neuroptera, Reggio, sopra Ia curiosa Origine di molti lnsetti. 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26 Bibliography of the Neuropterida

Bibliography of the Neuropterida Reference number (r#): 11948

Reference Citation: Nicoli Aldini, R. 2005 [2007.??.?]. Ulisse Aldrovandi and Antonio Vallisneri: the Italian contribution to knowledge of neuropterous insects between the 16th and the early 18th centuries. in Pantaleoni, R. A.; Letardi, A.; Corazza, C. (eds.). Proceedings of the Ninth International Symposium on Neuropterology (20-23 June 2005, Ferrara, Italy). Annali del Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Ferrara 8:9-26.

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Notes:

File: File produced for the Bibliography of the Neuropterida (BotN) component of the Lacewing Digital Library (LDL) Project, 2012.