Myrmeleon formicarius
Myrmeleon formicarius | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Neuroptera |
Family: | Myrmeleontidae |
Genus: | Myrmeleon |
Species: | M. formicarius
|
Binomial name | |
Myrmeleon formicarius Linnaeus, 1767
|
Myrmeleon formicarius is a species of antlion native to Belgium and other parts of Europe.[1] It is known to be present in the Genk nature reserve Opglabbekerzavel in 2020, according to the species inventory prepared for the city by the ecological study/advice company Mieco-effect.[2]
According to the European Environment Agency, this species has not yet been assessed by the IUCN and as such lacks an official conservation threat status.[3] Despite there being little species-specific information available online, the Encyclopædia Britannica describes it as "the best known of the 65 described species" of antlions.[4]
It has been suggested that there is a great deal of confusion in the distinction of individuals between M. formicarius and Euroleon nostras.[5] The easiest hallmark of M. formicarius larvae is its largely black head, but this can easily be mis-seen due to fine humus/substrate particles clinging to their many head hairs. For adults, the lack of black flecks in their wing colours is an identifying feature.
A 2020 study by Wu et al., sequenced their mitochondrial genome and found that they are most closely related to Myrmeleon immanis, another antlion species.[6]
The common name of M. formicarius in Dutch is Zwartkopmierenleeuw, which translates to "Blackhead antlion".
References[]
- ^ "Myrmeleon formicarius Linnaeus, 1767". www.gbif.org.
- ^ "Mieco-effect, ecologisch advies- en studiebureau". Mieco-effect, ecologisch advies- en studiebureau.
- ^ "Myrmeleon formicarius - Linnaeus, 1767". eunis.eea.europa.eu.
- ^ "Antlion | insect". Encyclopedia Britannica.
- ^ https://www.nlmieren.nl/websitepages/mierenleeuwen.pdf
- ^ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340585114_The_complete_mitochondrial_genome_of_Myrmeleon_formicarius_Neuroptera_Myrmeleontidae
- Myrmeleontidae