An
Owlfly (Neuroptera: Ascalaphidae: Ascalaphinae: Ameropterus subripiens) from Nicaragua
A Web Page by Roy J. Beckemeyer
Above: Nicaragua Owlfly specimen. Note the long antennae.
Last updated 28 January 2004.
Right:
The wings of the specimen. Note the long, nearly straight CuA vein.
Below left: The head and thorax showing the compound eyes having a
transverse groove or sulcus dividing them into superior and inferior segments.
CLICK ON PICTURES FOR ENLARGED VIEW
Using Henry et al, 1992, I was able to key this specimen to the genus: Ameropterus.
One of the co-authors of the Panama book, Dr. Norman Penny, has just
published a new book
(which I have just ordered), listed below and available from the CAS, contains
keys to Costa Rican Neuroptera, including the Ascalaphidae. After
receiving Dr. Penny's book, I used his keys to determine the specimen.
The narrow hind wing base and anal lobe indicate that it is Ameropterus subripiens (Walker), 1853.
I have sent the specimen to Dr. Penny and he has verified this
determination. [See Beckemeyer for the
paper reporting this material.]
This owlfly was discovered perched on the underside of a twig in a root
tangle alongside a stream. I was searching in the dark tangle for the
reclusive damselflies of the family Platystictidae, genus Palaemnema
(these turned out to be P. nathalia Selys) that are best collected by
carefully working in amongst the vegetation and plucking them off their perches
by hand. Apparently this is also a good way to find owlflies.
References:
Beckemeyer, Roy J. 2003. A few records
of Owlflies (Neuroptera: Ascalaphidae) encountered while collecting Odonata in
the southwestern United States and in Nicaragua. Journal of the Kansas
Entomological Society, 76(4):651-652.
Henry, C. S., N. D. Penny, & P. A. Adams. 1992. The
neuropteroid orders of Central America (Neuroptera and Megaloptera).
Chapter 28, pp. 432-458 In D. Quintero & A. Aiello (Eds),
Insects of Panama and Mesoamerica: Selected Studies. Oxford Science
Publications. Oxford, England.
Penny, N. D. 2002. A guide to the lacewings (Neuroptera) of
Costa Rica. Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences.
55(12):161-457 (660 fig.). [Available from Dr. Alan E. Leviton, California
Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA 94118, for $25.00 plus
$4.00 postage & handling.]
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An
Owlfly (Neuroptera: Ascalaphidae: Ascalaphinae: Ameropterus subripiens) from Nicaragua
Right:
The wings of the specimen. Note the long, nearly straight CuA vein.