Synonyms

None

Diagnosis

This is a genus of 10 species distributed in tropical Africa and the Middle East.  Most species can be recognized by a dark spot in the distal cubital cell (dcc) of the forewing.  Males have widely separated ectoprocts, a tignum, and entoprocesses of the gonarcus that fuse medially.  Females have a V-shaped indentation at the base of the subgenitale.

     This is the only species of Chrysopini in Madagascar with a dark spot on the membrane of the dcc.  This should not be confused with Dichochrysa duplicata that has the veins of the dcc swollen and darkened.  This species also is a dark brown with lateral dark brown stripes on the pronotum, a red band across the lower part of the frons, and a dark band at  apex of the femur, becoming progressively broader from front to hindlegs.

Type Depository

MNHN, Paris.

Type Locality

MADAGASCAR: Amparandandrava* [? Ampandrandava], 1 (sex unknown).

* Amparandandrava could not be found on known atlases.  However, Ampandrandava is about 45 km NE of Bekily and was a frequent collecting site of A. Seyrig.

Geographical Distribution

Hölzel & Ohm (1992) record this species from REUNION ISLAND, MAURITIUS, and MADAGASCAR.   Within Madagascar it can be found in the drier areas of the country at low elevations.  It is perhaps the most common green lacewing in Madagascar.

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Temporal Distribution

Adults of this species have been collected in all months of the year, except June, July, and October, and seems to be most prevalent in February and March.

Elevation

9 to 1125 m.

Remarks

This may be the most common species of chrysopid in Madagascar outside of the forested areas.

Hölzel & Duelli (1988) indicate "The green eggs are deposited singly. the larva is a trash carrier with a dark reddish body colour and almost entirely black head." 

References

Hölzel, H. and 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.

Hölzel, H. and Ohm, P. 1992. Zoogeographical features of Madagascan Chrysopidae (Insecta: Neuroptera). Pp. 167-181 in Canard, M.; Aspöck, H.; Mansell, M. W. (eds.). Current Research in Neuropterology. Proceedings of the Fourth International Symposium on Neuropterology (24-27 June 1991, Bagnères-de-Luchon, Haute-Garonne, France). Privately printed, Toulouse, France. 414 pp. 8 figures. 1 table

Navás, L. 1933 [1933.07.??]. NeurÓpteros exÓticos [1.a serie]. Memorias de la Real Academia de Ciencias y Artes de Barcelona (3)23:203-216. 14 figures [#1-14].