Dendroleontini, Banks, 1899

Stange, Lionel A., 2008, A new species of the genus Dendroleon Brauer from Mexico (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae), Insecta Mundi 2008 (54), pp. 1-9 : 1-2

Tribe Dendroleontini

Taxonomy. Banks 1927: 6; Markl 1954: 219; Hölzel 1972: 9; Stange 1976: 268; New 1985: 1.

Diagnosis. Adult: Hind femur without sensory hair; tibial spurs usually present; pretarsal claws sometimes can close against ventral surface of distal tarsomere which has well developed ventral setae; radial sector of fore wing originates near or before cubital fork (except Cymothales Gerstaecker ); radial sector of hind wing originates before medial fork, usually one presectoral crossvein (rarely 2 or 3); vein CuP of fore wing runs in even curve from base to hind margin; abdomen usually shorter than wings, without eversible sacs; male ectoproct without postventral lobe; anterior gonapophysis digitiform ( Dendroleontina except Bankisus Navás ) or plate-like (other subtribes).

Larva: mandible strongly upturned, with 3 equidistant and parallel teeth, rarely with extra teeth borne on raised setal bases ( Bankisus ; Gatzara Navás ); labial palpus longer than base of mandible; mesoscutum with median tuft of setae; segment IX longer than wide; scoli present on thorax, rarely on abdomen; sternite VIII with submedian tooth.

Discussion. This tribe is widespread in the Old World, especially diverse in Australia, but is represented in the New World only by three species of Dendroleon Brauer in North America. The median tuft of setae on the mesoscutum of the larva appears significant in the definition of the tribe although some other genera of the tribe have the median tuft of setae on a stalk whereas Dendroleon , Tricholeon Esben- Petersen and Cymothales have the hair-like setae separated. So far, the median tuft of hair has been found in seven genera ( Austrogymnocnemia Esben-Petersen , Bankisus Navás , Cymothales Gerstaecker ,

1

Dendroleon Brauer , Glenoleon Banks and Tricholeon Esben-Petersen ). The median tuft is absent in the

rock dwelling Gatzara Navás and Froggattisca Esben-Petersen.