Synonyms
= Ancylopteryx delicata Navas, 1935
= Leucochrysa octopunctata Fraser, 1952
Diagnosis
As is typical of most Ankylopterygini, there is a very broad costal area of the forewing. Only two genera of Ankylopterygini are known from Madagascar: Ankylopteryx and Parankylopteryx. The two genera can be separated by Ankylopteryx having the apex of tarsi blackened, and the base of the forewing costal vein unmarked (pale). There are two species of Ankylopteryx in Madagascar: A. alluaudi and A. tanana. Of these two species, A. tanana has dark spots along the anal margin of the forewing, while A. alluaudi does not (Fraser, 1951; 1952).
Type Depository
of Ankylopteryx alluaudi in MNHN, Paris - apparently lost, according to Holzel and Ohm, 1992: 17
of Ancylopteryx delicata in MNHN, Paris.
of Leucochrysa octopuncta also in MNHN, Paris.
Type Locality
the type of Ankylopteryx alluaudi is from the SEYCHELLES, Mahe, 1892, Ch. Alluaud, 1 (sex unknown).
the type of Ancylopteryx delicata Navas, 1935 is from MADAGASCAR: Toamasina [Tamatave] Province; Perinet, 1 sex unknown.
the type of Leucochrysa octopunctata Fraser, 1952 is from MADAGASCAR: Nosy-Be Island, 1 sex unknown.
Geographical Distribution
This species is known only from Madagascar and the Seychelles Islands. Within Madagascar it has been collected at: Toamasina Province: Moramanga, 2 December 1957, Fred Keiser, 1 (sex unknown)(Basel Museum); Périnet, 7 November 1959, E.S. Ross, 1 female(CAS); Andasibe National Park 19 km E of Moramanga [Périnet], 23 December 1999, Schlinger, Irwin, & Rin'ha, 1 (sex unknown)(CAS); Nosy Be Island, Hellville, 14 May 1958, Fred Keiser, 1 (sex unknown)(Basel Museum); Fasene, 17 May 1958, Fred Keiser, 1 (sex unknown)(Basel Museum); Maroantsetra, 24 October 1986, 12 specimens (sex unknown)(Duelli Collection); Fianarantsoa: Ranomafana National Park, Talatakely, 24 April 1998, Jere Schweikert, 1 female, reared from larva on ginger (CAS).
Temporal Distribution
September, December, January, February, March, April, and July..
Elevation
10 - 1125 m.
Remarks
This species appears to be collected in lowland to mid-elevational forest. Although probably a generalist feeder, it has been collected in association with ginger (personal notes) and litchti trees (Holzel and Duelli, 1990). This appears to be the most common species of Ankylopterygini in Madagascar. Duelli found adults to be highly concentrated, finding 12 adults in one litchti tree and none in hundreds of surrounding trees.
In addition to Fraser's (1951) published illustration of the wings, there is an illustration of the forewing in Navas (1935).
References
Fraser, F. C. 1951. A revision of the Madagascar Neuroptera with a key to their identifications and descriptions of new species. I. Osmylidae, Hemerobiidae and Chrysopidae. Naturaliste Malgache 3:15-31. 10 figures.
Fraser, F. C. 1952. New additions to the fauna of Madagascar. Odonata and Neuroptera. Memoires de l'Institut Scientifique de Madagascar (E)1:135-143. 5 figures.
Handschin, E. 1962 [1963.02.15]. Beitrag zur Kenntnis der Neuropterenfauna von Madagascar. Mitteilungen der Schweizerischen Entomologischen Gesellschaft 35:211-226. No figures.
Holzel, H.; Duelli, P. 1990. Remarks on the Chrysopidae of Madagascar (Insecta: Neuroptera). Pp. 271-275 in Mansell, M. W.; Aspöck, H. (eds.). Advances in Neuropterology. Proceedings of the Third International Symposium on Neuropterology (3-4 February 1988, Berg en Dal, Kruger National Park, South Africa). South African Department of Agricultural Development, Pretoria. 298 pp. 4 figures.
Holzel, H. and Ohm, P. 1992. Zoogeographical features of Madagascan Chrysopidae (Insecta: Neuroptera). Pp. 167-181 in Canard, M.; Aspock, H.; Mansell, M. W. (eds.). Current Research in Neuropterology. Proceedings of the Fourth International Symposium on Neuropterology (24-27 June 1991, Bagneres-de-Luchon, Haute-Garonne, France). Privately printed, Toulouse, France. 414 pp. 8 figures. 1 table.
Navas, L. 1910. CrisÓpidos (Ins. Neur.) nuevos. Brotéria (Zoologica) 9:38-59. 13 figures [#1-13]. Separate: [1]-22.