Revi ew of the generic levei classification of the New World Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera)

Norman O . Penny (*}

Abstract dae, as both these other groups are probably owlfly predators, and Odonata have actually The higher classification of New World Ascalaphi­ been seen to capture Ascalaphidae in fltght, dae is mod1fied to reflect new information and many changes proposed in various papers over the past 70 when flushed from their resting place. The years . The attempt h as been made to reta in as much wings at rest are folded over the body and ~s possible the traditional conceptual structure, whe­ long, knobbed antennae are placed in tront of never warranted. Keys and synoptic descriptions are the head and parallel with the substrate. thus provided for American subfamilies, tribes and genera. giving the body a long, very narrow form (As­ One new synonomy (Episperches Gerstaecker = Amoea Lefebvre), one new name (Ascalobyas for Byas Rambur) calaphinae), or wings are held out to the sides, &nd one new genus (Neohaploglenius) are proposed. as in Odonata (Haploglenl•lae) Ouring the daytime, adult owlflies normally rest on grass stems; small, dead tree branches, etc.; and !NT.RODUCTION when disturbed fly low and quickly to another resting place. Larvae rest on plant foliage or Ascalaphidae, or owlflies, are large, some­ sand with enlarged mandibles open, waiting times showy insects that occasionally were for soft-bodied insect prey, o r actively pursuing even placed together with butterflies in the them. genus Papilio. .Some European species are day-flying, and some have boldly patterned There are two interesting geographical wings . However, trying to identify owlflies is anomalies in the distribution of Ascalaphidae. difficult because of the many nomenclatura! This family is much more common and diverse changes in scattered literature. Little progress in south temperate America than in north has been made by specialists during the past temperate America . Argentina has 19 species 50 years to summarize these modifications into and subspecies in eight genera. while the a form that other specialists can use. The United States has only 10 species and sub­ purpose of this paper is to provide neces­ species in three genera . The second anomaly sary nomenclature, illustrations, keys and de­ is that Chile has no owlflies . Although the scriptions for adequate determination of these country is quite diverse in habitats, the Andean neuropterans to generic levei. barrier appears to have prevented the intro­ Ascalaphidae are often common, yet little duction of Ascalaphidae understood Neuroptera in the New World. They closely resemble Odonata, to the point that SYSTEMATICS the genus of dragonfly model can sometimes be identified. Ascalaphidae are aerial preda­ The first and only good, modern treatment tors, often occupying an ecological niche very of the Ascalaphidae was written by Weele similar to Odonata. Most adult feeding activity ( 1908). A Iater monograph on South American seems to be confined to dusk (and perhaps Ascalaphidae by Navás (1913) used the same dawn). thus allowing Odonata reign of the classification system as Weele (except for skies during the daytime and bats at night. placing Stilbopterygidae in Haplogleninae) and Such fortuitous dividing of feeding time is added a few more species. but lacked the de­ probably a survival mechanism for Ascalaphi- tailed descriptions and illustrations of the

( • ) - Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus

ACTA AMAZONICA 11(2): 391-406. 1981 - 391 earlier work. Since 1908 there has been no Haploglenldae Newman, 1853. Zoologist, 11 : comprehensive treatment of Ascalaphidae for Holophthalmi Maclachlan, 1871, J . Linn . Soe. Lond., 11: North or Central America. 233 (lnvalld. not based on existing genus) . lhe subfamily classification of Weele was Holophthalminae Weele, 1908, Coll . Zool. Edm . Selys Longchamps, 8: 26 (invalid, not based on existing based partly on the earlier work of Maclachlan genus) . (1871). Both used subfamily names which were Verticillecerinae Orfila, 1949. Annuls Soe. cient. Argent., not based on existing generíc names, and until 148: 188. recently. subsequent authors followed this se hem e. In conformity with Article 29 of the Ascaloptynginae Macleod, 1970. Psyche, Camb., 77: lnternational Code of Zoo/ogical Nomenc/ature, subfamily names have been changed to con­ Type Genus: Haploglenius Burmeister form to previously described, but seldom used, lhis subfamily is characterízed by entíre terminology. compound eyes; antennae short to long, but always longer than thorax; long, narrow wlngs; Family ASCALAPHIDAE Lefebvre, 1842 cubital fork of hindwings well developed .

Ascalaphidae Lefebvre, 1842, Guerin'a Mag. Zool., 4: Ta­ Weele (1908) listed 19 genera and 45 ble 92. species within the Haplogleniinae, of which 6 genera and 18 species were from the Western Type Genus: Ascalaphus Fabricius HP.misphere . Penny (1977) listed 5 genera and 26 species from Central and South Amenca. lhe family Ascalaphidae can be character­ ized by: holometabolous insects of the neu­ In his treatment ot South American Asca­ ropteran suborder Planipennia. Active terrestn­ laphidae Navás (1913) further divided this suotamily into three tribes: Albardini, Epls­ al or arboreal larvae with long hollow mandi­ bles used to suck body fluids from prey; perchini and Neuroptyngini. lhe first of these dorsocaudal margin of head bilobed; prominent tribes contains a single American species, lateral projections on thoracic and abdomi:1al now considered to be part of the family Stil­ segments. Adult antennae filiform, terminating bopterygidae. The second tribe contains the in an oval or elliptical club. Eyes large, glo· type genus of the subfamily, Haploglenius, and bose, either entire or divided . Thorax stout, pi­ must take the name Haplogleniini . Banks (1915) pointed out that the type genus of Neu­ lose. Legs elongate, with five tarsal segments. roptyngini, Neuroptyx McCiendon, was a syno Abdomen elongate, thin. Fore-and hindwings usually similar with dense network of cross­ nym of Haploglenius, so that the third tribe takes the next available name, Verticillecerini veins. Orfila. lhe tribes of Haplogleniinae can be separated using the following key. KEY TO SUBFAMILIES OF ASCALAPHIDAE

1A. Eyes entire, not divided by transverse KEY TO AMERICAN TRIBES OF HAPLOGLENIINAE sul cus (Fig. 2) ...... Haplogleniinae New. 1A. Forewing with prominent axillary angle at 1 B. Eyes divided by transverse sul cus ínto base of anal margin (wing cells distai to two parts, superior and inferior, equal or axillary angle shorter than within angle) unequal (Figs. 3, 6, 7) ...... Verticillecerini Orfila (Fig. 1) ...... Ascalaphinae Lef. 1 B. Forewing without prominent axillary angle at base of anal margin (wing cells distai Subfamily HAPLOGLENIINAE Newman, 1853 of axillary angle equal to or longer than

Olophthme Lefebvre, 1842, Guerln's Mag. Zool., 4: Ta­ along basal curve) ble 92 (invalld, not based on existlng genus). (Fig. 4) ...... Haplogleniini Newman

392- ~ Amoeo

a Ascolob'tos

Hoploglenius 1

Map 1 - Known geographícal d1stribution of the tribe Haplogleniini.

Review . . - 393 ./

Neoha p logleniu s

Ascal op tynx

[{~~:~ Vertjcjllecerv s 2

Map 2 - Known geographical dlstribution of the tribe Verticillecerini.

394- Penny Tribe HAPLOGLENIINI Newman, 1853 typy. Type species of Episperches is Epis perches vacuus (Gerstaecker) by present des•g· Haploglenini Newman, 1853. Zoologist, 11 . nation. Episperchini Navás, 1913, Broteria, 10: 206 The characters used to separate Amoea Type Genus: Haploglenius Burmeister and Episperches have been the more rounded hindwing and in males the wider basal abdo­ This tribe is characterized by long, narrow minal segments. These are both charactcrs wings without an axillary angle of the forew ing. subject to much variation within both genera. There has been much confusion as to the For instance, the hindwing of Amoea immacu­ generic. and even tribal classification, created lata (Oiivier) appears to be wider than Episper­ from Weele's (1908) monograph. For example, ches arenosus Walker, but narrower than Epis­ within Weele's genus Haploglenius were perches impediens Walker. The width of the species with very distinct axillary angles of abdomen often depends on how the specimen the wings, others without. One of the key dried, and present specimens of Episperches characters to generic identification was a species are as narrow as Amoea. lt being darkened costal wing margin, but ali shades virtually impossible to separate the genera, can be found, trom dark black to pale yellow the only reasonable solution seems to be syno­ to clear . Thus, the genera within this tribe nomy. have had to be recharacterized. In the present Amoea is confined to South and Central study, three genera of American Haploglenini America from Argentina north to Guatemala. are recognized: Amoea, Ascalobyas and Haplo­ Penny (1977) listed 11 valid species within the glenius. genera (Amoea and Episperches). There has not been a comprehensive treatment of the KEY TO GENERA OF HAPLOGLENIINI genera given since Weele (1908) and Navás (1913). 1A. Antennae longe r than distance to second Rs fork of forewing Genus Ascalobyas new name (Fig. 4) ...... 2 (Fi!; 5) 1B. Antennae shorter than distance to second Byas Rambur, 1842, Hist. nat. des l nsectes Nêvroptàres, Rs fork ot torewing p. 361, (preoccupied by Byas Dalman, 1820; and Byas (Fig. 5) ...... Ascalobyas new na me Morris, 1837) . 2A. Hindwing with 2A present. long Type Species: Byas microcerus Rambur, by (Fig. 4) ...... Haplo glenius Burmeister present designation. 28. Hindwing with 2A absent or extremely short This genus is easily separated from others (Fig. 3) ...... Amoea Letebvre of this tribe by shorter antennae. Ali known species have a dark costal margin of the wings. Genus Amoea Lefebvre, 1842 Asca/obyas is presently known from two (Flg . 2) species ranging from northern Brazil to Pana­ ma. Amoea Lefebvre, 1842, Guerin's Mag. Zool., 4: 6. Episperches Gerstaecker. 1893. Mitt. Vorpomm. und Rügen, 25: 98 (new synonomy). Genus Haploglenius Burmeister, 1839 Type Species: of Amoea is Haploglenius sub­ (Fig. 4) costatus Burmeister, now considered a syno­ Haploglenius Burmeister, 1839, Handbuch der Zool., p. nym ot Amoea immaculata Olivier, by mono- 1000.

Review . .. - 395 -.... .,...., -~

~ Fjllus

3

Map 3 - Known geographical distributlon of the tribe Suhpalacslni in the New World.

396- Penny ···-"

·· .~ '

~ Amero p terus

fi~t~;~~ Ascolor phn e

~ Cordulecerus

~ Ululodes 4

Map 4 - Known geographical dlstribution of the tribe Ululodini .

Revicw ... - 397 Ptynx Lefebvrc. 1842, Guerin's Mag. Zool., 4: 6 (preoc· 2A. Base of wings extremely narrow; hindwing cupied by Ptynx Moehring. 1758. and Ptynx Blyth, with no apparent anal veins; torewing 1840) Neuroptynx McCiendon, 1906, Ent. News, 17. 112 (syncr with CuP beyond axillary angle almost nom•zed by Banks, 1915) . touching anal margin; costal IT'argin clear (Fig. 7) ...... Asca/optynx Banks Type Specics: Haploglenius costatus Bur­ 28. Base of wings not extremely narrow; meister. hindwing with one apparent anal vein; in forewing CuP beyond axillary angle distant Haploglenius is placed together with from anal margin; costal margin dark Amoea and Ascalobyas in the tribe Haplogle­ (Fig. 3) ...... Neohap/oglenius new g. nllni. Haploglenius has longer antennae than Ascalobyas. and one more anal vein of the hindwing than Amoea. Two species listed by Genus Ascaloptynx Banks, 1915 Weele ( 1908). H. angulatus Gerstaecker and (Fig. 7) H. flavicornis Maclachlan, are herein trans­ Neuroptynx of authors. nec Neuroptynx McCiendon. ferred to a new genus. Neohaploglenius, in the Ascaloptynx Banks, 1915. Ent. News, 26: 350. tribe Vert1cillicerini. The costal margin of the wing is usually dark. but it can be very pale Type Species: Ascalaphus appendiculatus La­ in some individuais, and in H. bolivianus Na­ treille. designated by Banks (1915). vás is completely clear. Navás ( 1928) I isted distinguishing characters of the eight species This genus has extremely narrowed wings known at the time. However, Iater addition of basally with a distinctive axillary angle in the one species and present transfer of two others forewing. Three species are known: A. appen­ gives this genus seven known species ranging diculatus, A. furciger and A. juveni/is. The from Argentina north to Honduras . geographical distribution is from Arizona to Texas to Florida to North Carolina, ali within

Tribe VERTICILLICERINI Orfila, 1949 the United States. This genus is not commonly encountered. Neuroptyngini Navás, 1913, Broteria, 10· 212 (Typc ge­ nus was synonomized by Banks. 1915) . Genus Neohaploglenius new genus Verticillicerini Orfila, 1949, Annuls Soe. cient. argent., 148: 188 . (Fig. 3)

Type Species: Haploglenius flavicornis Mac­ Type Genus: Verticillicerus Weele. Lachlan, by present designation. Head: Antennae longer than distance to first This tribe is characterized by long. narrow fork of As, but shorter than distance to wing wings and a strongly differentiated axi llary margin; without whorls of setae. Compound angle of the forewings. Vertici llicerini pre­ eyes entire; superior margin levei with vertex. sently includes three genera of New World Wings: Costal margin dark, remainder of owlflies. ranging from Argentina north to the wing clear. Origin of As basal of CuA fork. M southern United States. and CuA nearly straight. CuA fork distinct. In forewing axi llary angle well developed, but KEY TO GENERA OF VERTICILLICERINI CuP not touching wing margin. In hindwing one anal vein present. 1A. Basal part of antennae with whorls of Abdomen: Uniformly narrow, without dorsal long sctae structures or whorls of seta! tufts. (Fig. 6) ...... verticillicerus Weele This genus is being erected for two species 1 B. Antennae completely devoid of long setae of Haploglenius which do not appear very (Figs. 3, 4, 5) ...... 2 closely related to other members of the genus.

398- Pen.ny . ' \ .

...... ·.

. ... . ·.· ..

.... ·. , /

' ' '

2

Ftgs . 1-2: 1) lateral view of head of Cordulecerus elegans (Ascalaphlnae); 2) Lateral view ot head of Amoea iniquus (Walker) (Haplogleniinae).

Review . . . -399 Figs. 3-4: 3) Base o f right wtngs, head and antenna of Neo haploglenius (Verticillecerlnl), with Se hidden behind R; 4) Base of right wings, head and antenna of Haploglenlua coatatus (Haplogleniini), with Ss hidden behlnd R.

400- Peony Especrally drstinct are the well-developed a myrmeleontid larva and Ascalaphidae do not axi llary angles of the forewing and lack o f the exist in Chile. Penny (1977) recorded 77 second anal vein of the hindwing species from South and Central America. In The two included species are Neohaploglc­ ti. ~:: New World, this subfamiiy ranges from Ar· nius angulatu~ (Gerstaecker) and Neohaplo­ gentina north to Connecticut and lllinors in the glenius flavicornis (Maclachlan) with combined United States. geographical distribution from Panama to Me­ xico. KEY TO AMERICAN TRIBES OF ASCALAPHINAE

1A. In hindwing, fork of CuA well-developed; Genus Verticillecerus Weele, 1908 (Fig . 6) CuP short and almost straight (Fig. 8) ...... Suhpalacsini Weele Verticillecerus Weele, 1808. Coll. zool. Edm. Selys Long· 1B. In hindwing, fork of CuA absent; CuP champs, 8: 54 . long and usually arched Type Species: Verticillecerus gerstaeckeri (Figs. 9, 10, 11) ...... Ululodini Weele Weele, by monotypy. Verticillecerus is a distinctive genus of Tribe SUHPALACSINI Weele, 1908 owlflies, with whorls of setae on the basal Suhpalacsini Weele. 1908, Coll. zool. Edm. Selys Long­ antennal joints, and darkened costal are a. This champs, 8: 156 . is a monotypic genus, with only Verticillecerus Acmonotini Weele. 1908, Co!!. zool. Edm. Selys Long­ gerstaeckeri Weele. This species is only champs, 8: 198, synonomízed by Navás (1919) known from Paraguay and Missiones Province, Argentina (Williner. 1945). Only f ive specimen~ Type Genus: Suhpalacsa Lefêbvre. ot this genus have been mentioned in the li­ teratura. This tribe has a well-developed fork of CuA of the hindwing. reminiscent of the Haplogle­ niinae. Suhpalacsini remains the least known Subfami ly ASCALAPHINAE l efêbvre, 1842 and most confused tribe of American Ascala­

Ascalaphidae lefàbvre, 1842, Guerin's Mag. zool., 4: Ta­ phidae. When Weele (1908) wrote his mono­ ble 92. graphic revision of Ascalaphidae, no members Schizophthalmi lefêbvre. 1842. Guerin's Mag. zool., 4: of this tribe were known from the New World. Table 92, (invalid, not based on valid genus na me). although one species of Acmonotini was mentioned from Argentina. Navás (1914) de­ Type Genus: Asca/aphus Fabricius scribed the first species in his new genus Nephelasca from Col ombia. In 1919. Navás de· This subfamily is easily characterized be­ scribed a second species of this tribe in an­ cause it is the only subfamily with compounó other new genus, Fillus, from Argentina. In eyes divided by a medían sul cus. Ascalaphi­ this same article he synonomized the tribes nae is also the largest subfamily: Weele (190B) Suhpalacsiní and Acmonotini, transferring the recorded seven tribes, 33 genera and 154 only American species of the latter tribe to species worldwide. Only two tribes, Suhpalac­ his genus Fillus. In this same work, he in­ sini and Ululodini, are found in the New World. cluded a key to known genera of Suhpalacsíni, A third tribe. Acmonotini, was mentioned by without mentioning his genus Nephelasca. In Weele (1908) but Navás (1919) pointed out the fact. this genus was not mcntioned again until single species belonged in the Suhpalacsini. A Penny's check-list of Latin American Neuropte­ fourth tribe, Hibrisini, was mentioned by Na­ ra in 1977. The original description is of a vás (1913) based on a Chilean larva described single female, and genera within the tribe are by Brethes ( 1908). Stange (personal commu­ separated by characters of the male abdomen. nication) states that this specimen is actually so that exact placement of this genus is at

Review . - 401 Figs. 5-7: 5) Base of right wíngs, head and antenna of Ascalobyas (Haplogieniíní). with Se hidden behind R; 6) flase of rlght wings, head and antenna of Verticillecerus (modified from Weele, 1908) (Vertieilleeerini) wíth Se hidden behlnd R; 7) Base of rlght wings, head and antenna of Ascaloptynx (adapted from Weele, 1908) (Vertlelllecerlnl) with Se hidden behind R.

402- Penny Fig . 8-11: 8) Hindwing of Fillus paradoxus (Weele) (adapted from Weele, 1908) (Suhpalaesinl), with Se partially hidden behind R; 9) Hindwing of Ululodes macleayana (Guilding) (Uiulodiní), with Se partially hidden behind R; 10) Hindwing of Ameropterus delicatulus (Maelachlan) (Uiulodini), with Se partially hidden behind R; 11) Hindwing of Cordulecerus elegans Weele (Uiulodinl), with Se partially hidden behind R.

Review .. . -403 present not possible . Suhpalacsini is mostly 2A. In hindwing, CuP straight confined to the Old World and Fillus remains (Fig. 10) ...... Ameropterus E.·P. the only American genus of this tribe clearly defined. 28 . In hindwing, CuP clearly sinuous (Figs. 9,11) ...... 3

Genus Fillus Navás, 1919 3A. Hindwing long and narrow, approximately (Fig. 8) as wide at midlength as near wing base (Fig. 9) ...... Ululodes Currie Fillus Navás. 191 9, Revta. R. Acad. Cient. exact. fís. nat. Madr., 17: 289 38. Hindwing trianguloid, much wider at mid­ length than near wing base Type Species: Fillus brethesi Navás. (Fig. 11) ...... Cordulecerus Rambur

Weele (1 908) described an American Genus Ameropterus Esben-Petersen, 1922 spceies of the tribe Acmonotini, Acmonotus (Fig. 10) paradoxus. Navás (1919) transferred this species to his new genus Fi/lus, within the Colobopterus Rambur. 1842, Hist. nat. des lnsectes Nê­ Suhpalacsini, along with describing a new vroptéres, p . 360. (preoccupied by Colobopterus species, Fillus brethesi. These are the only Mulsant, 1842). two American species in the genus. Fillus pa­ Ameropterus Esben-Petersen, 1922, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hlst., radoxus (Weele) is still known only from the 10: 621. female holotype, and could be the senior syno­ nym of Fillus brethesi. The known geographi­ Type Species: Asca/aphus versicolor 8ur­ cal distribution of Fillus is Argentina and Pa­ meister, designated by Weele ( 1908). raguay .

Among the Uh-!lodini, Ameropterus is easily Tribe ULULODINI Weele, 1908 recognized by the straight hindwing vein CuP.

Ululodini Weele, 1908, Coll. zool. Edm. Selys Long­ Penny (1977) listed 21 species in this genus champs, 8: 94. from South and Central America. One ad­ ditional species is known from North America. Type Genus: Ululodes Currie. Genus Ascalorphne Banks, 1915 Ululodini, characterized by divided com­ pound eyes and no development of the fork of Orphne Letebvre, 1842, Guerin's Mag. Zool., 4: Table CuA in the hindwing, is the largest tribe of American owlflies. In the present study, four 92, p. 7, (preoccupled by Orphne Huebner, 1825) . Ascalorphne Banks, 1915, Ent. News, 26: 350. genera are recognized from Argentina north to northern United States. Type Species: Ascalaphus macrocercus 8ur­ KEY TO GENERA OF ULULODINI meister, designated by Weele (1908).

1A. Axillary angle of the forewing very dis­ This is the only genus of Ululodini with tinct (Figs. 3, 6, 7): antennae longer than distinctive axillary angles of the forewing. In forewing ...... Ascalorphne 8anks this respect. they resemble the Verticilleceri­ 18. Forewing smoothly curved to base, without ni of Haplogleniinae. Ascalorphne is a small axillary angle (Figs. 4, 5); antennae as genus with restricted distribution. Only four long as, or shorter than, forewing species are known, ranging from Argentina to ...... 2 northern 8razil and Bolívia .

404- Penny Genus Cordulecerus Rambur, 1842 of our knowledge of larva! taxonomy does not (Figs. 1, 11) yet allow us to make an accurate assessment as to the validity of these names . Cordulecerus Rambur. 1842. Hist. nat. des lnsectes Ne· vropteres, p. 359 SuMÁRio Type Species: Cordulecerus maclachlani Se· lys, designated by Weele ( 1908). A classificação dos taxas superiores de Ascala­ phidae do Novo Mundo é modificado para refletir infor· Cordulecerus is a distinctive genus be· mações novas. e muitas mudanças que foram propos· tas em vários artigos durante os últimos 70 anos . A cause of the trianguloid hindwings. Hindwings tentat1va foi feita para conservar o conceito tradicional, of most species are pigmented. In Amazoni ~. quando possível Chaves e descrições sinópticas são specíes of this genus appear to be confined elaboradas para subfamílias. tribus e gêneros america­ to forested areas, and are most frequently nos . Uma sinonomia nov'3 (Episperches Gerstaecker = found in tree canopies. Dr . Dodge Engleman Amoea Lefebvre), um nome novo [Ascalobyas para Byas Rambur) e um gênero novo (Neohaploglenius) são pro­ (personal communication) noted a large swarm postos . of more than 40 individuais of both sexes of Cordulecerus elegans Weele congregated to· REFERENCES gether at the tip of a tree branch at dusk. in central Amazonia. Ten species and one sub· BANKS. N. species have been described, ranging from Ar· 1915 - Two new names in the Ascalaphidae. Ent. gentina north to Mexico. News, 26: 350. BLYTH. 1840 - In Cuvier. Anim. Kingd., p 175 Genus Ululodes Currie. 1899 BRETHES. J. (Fig. 9) 1900 - Descripcion de una larva de Glyptobasis 7 de Chile. Revta. chil. Hist. nat., 12: 15-17 . Ulula Rambur, 1842, Hist. nat. des lnsectes Névropteres, BURMEISTER, H. p 357 (preoccupied by Ulula Cuvier, 1817) . 1839 - Handbuch der Entomologie. Neuroptera. 2 Ululodes Currie, 1899, lnsects of New Jersey, p. 57. (2): 757·1017 . Berlln. CURRIE. R. Type Species: Ascalaphus macleayana Guil­ 1899 - Neuroptera. In, Smith l nsects of New Jer­ ding. sey, Suppl. ESBEN-PETERSEN, P. is a large genus, characterized Ululodes 1922 - New species of Neuroptera in the British by long, narrow wings; very little development Museum. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., 10: 617·621 . of fcrewing axillary lobes; and CuP arched in GERSTAECKER. A. the hindwing. Species of this genus are often 1093 - Ueber neue und weniger gekannte Neurop­ collected at lights in open fields and cutover teren aus der familie MEgaloptera. Burm. areas. Penny (1977) recorded 21 species and Mitt. naturw. Ver. Neu-Vorpomm., 25: 93· 173 . 4 subspecies from South ahd Central America. HUEBNER Another two spe'cies · and four subspecies are 1825 - Verz. bekannt. Schmett., 20: 314. known from North Ame rica. The genus ranges LEFtBVRE, A. from Argentina north to northern United 1842 - Ascalaphne . Ascalaphus Fabricius. Guerin's States. Mag. Zool., 6: tab. xcii, 1-10. McCLENDON, J.F. Ungrouped genera 1906 - Notes on the true Neuroptera 3 . A cata· logue of Texas Neuroptera Ent. News, 17: 169·173. The generic names Neulatus Navás ( 1912) from Chile and Sodirus Navás (1912) from MocLACHLAN, R. 1871 - An attempt towards a systematic classifi­ Ecuador have been applied to neuropterous cation of the family Ascalaphidae . Proc. larvae placed in the Ascalaphidae. The state Linn. Soe. Lond., 11 : 219 276.

Review .. . - 405 MacLEOD. E.G. NEWMAN, E. 1970 - The Neuroptera o f the Baltic Amber. I. As 1853 - Proposed diviSiQn of Neuroptera into two calaphldae. Nymphidac and Psychopsidae classes . Zoologist, 11: 181-204 Psyche, Camb., 77· ORFILA, R.N MOEHRING 1949 - Notas críticas sobre Ascalaphidae. An. Soe. 1758 - Geslach. Vogel., p . 4, 49. cient. argent., 148· 187-194 . MORAIS PENNY, N.D. 1837 - In Wood. Naturalist, 2 (9): 123. 1977 - Lista de Megaloptera, Neuroptera e Raphi· MULSANT dloptera do México. América Central, Ilhas 1842 - Histoire naturelle Coléopt. France, p. 165. Caraíbas e América do Sul . Acta Amazoni· ca . Supl., 7 (4): 1·62 . NAVÁS, L. RAMBUR, J.P. 1912 - Sinopsis de los Ascaláfidos {lns. Neur ). 1842 - Histoire naturelle des lnsectes Névropteres. Arx. de l'lnstitut de Cienclas, 1 (3): 45·143 Paris. 534 p. 1913 - Ascaláfidos {lns. Neur.) sudamericanos. Bro­ WEELE, H.W. van der taria, 10: 203-233. 1908 - Ascalaphiden . Monographisch Bearbeltet. 1914- Neuropteros sudamericanos. Primera serie. Coll. zool. Edm. Selys Longchamps. Fase . Broteria, 12: 45-57, 215-235 . VIII . 326 pp., 254 figs., 2 pls . 1919 - Algunos insectos Neurópteros de la Argen­ WILLINER. G.J. tina Tercera Serle . Revta. R. Acad. Cien. 1945 - Ascaláfidos argentinos (Neurópteros). Rvta. exact. fls. nat. Madr., 17: 287-305. Soe. ent. Argent. 12 (5) : 425-437. 1928 - lnsectos neotrópicos. 4.' Serie. Revia. chil. Hist. nat., 32: 106-128. (Aceito pera publicação em 22/07 / 80)

406- Penny