Asperala Lambkin

Snyman, Louwrens P., Sole, Catherine L. & Ohl, Michael, 2018, A revision of and keys to the genera of the Mantispinae of the Oriental and Palearctic regions (Neuroptera: Mantispidae), Zootaxa 4450 (5), pp. 501-549 : 505

Genus Asperala Lambkin

Asperala Lambkin, 1986b . Type species: Mаntispа erythrаeа ( Brauer, 1867) , by original designation.

Distribution: Oriental and Australasian: Indonesia, Australia.

Diagnosis (modified from Lambkin (1986b): Fig. 3 ): Asperala is distinguished from all other Oriental and Palearctic genera by the distinctly asperous ventral surface of the Cu cell of the forewing ( Fig. 3c (ii)). This feature along with the shape of CuP in the forewing (distinctly curved proximally, closely approaching A1 just distal to cu- a) ( Fig. 3c (i)), are the autapomorphs for the genus. The pores and EEG (Eltringham’s extrusible organ) in the abdomen are yet to be described. The specimen used in this study had a peculiar semi-circular sulcus just posterior to the interantennal space.

Biology: Nothing is known of the biology of Asperala . Asperala includes two species (see key, Lambkin 1986b).

1. The perfoliate flagellomeres in Mimetispа are not as pronounced as the flagellomeres in both Euclimаciа and Nаmpistа and therefore key out twice.

Figures

FIGURE 3. Asperala erythraea (a) head and prothorax in dorsal view (b) head and thorax in lateral view (c) base of forewing in dorsal view [i. CuP distinctly curved ii. asperous ventral surface of Cu] (d) habitus