Synonymy
None
Type Depository
None
Type Locality
None
Geographical Distribution
Mansellia annulata is found in Zimbabwe and northeastern South Africa. The form from Madagascar appears to be very localized, but rather abundant within its limited distribution. Of more than 100 individuals collected, all but one were from near the interpretive center at Isalo National Park.
Temporal Distribution
Adults have been collected in all months of the year.
Elevation
180 to 825 m.
Remarks
The key to genera of Melambrotini in Tjeder & Hansson (1992: 76-77) does not fit this species very well. Some of the costal cells are twice as long as wide, yet one needs to choose the couplet with numerous crossveins. Also, the "projections from the anal area of the forewing" are long and narrow, rather than short and subtriangular. Yet, this species is clearly closely related to Mansellia annulata, if not a geographical subspecies. It has the four dark spots on the thorax shown in Tjeder & Hansson's (1992) figure 256. Their habitus photograph of M annulata could serve equally well for this taxon. However, some differences are noted. The posterior extension at the base of the forewing appears longer and thinner. The shading of the meso- and metanotum appears darker in M. annulata.
References
Tjeder, B. and C. Hansson. 1992. The Ascalaphidae of the Afrotropical Region (Neuroptera). Entomologica scandinavica. Supplement No. 41.