Gnopholeontini Stange 1994

Miller, Robert B. & Stange, Lionel A., 2009, A revision of the genus Maracandula Currie (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae), Insecta Mundi 2009 (101), pp. 1-10 : 1-2

Tribe Gnopholeontini Stange 1994

Diagnosis. Adult. Labial palpus short, palpimacula not extending to apex; hind femur without sensory hair; pretarsal claws not toothed nor strongly bent near base; tibial spurs present or absent; fore wing vein CuP originates distad of cross vein m-cu; fore wing vein 2A runs in a fairly even curve toward 3A; pilula axillaris present, usually well developed; hind wing vein CuA runs close to hind margin, ends near medial fork; hind wing radial sector originates before medial fork, 2 or 3 presectoral cross veins; male abdomen without hair pencils or postventral lobe; male paramere plate-like; female anterior gonapophysis plate-like or membranous; posterior gonapophysis inflated; pregenital plate with tooth; gonapophyseal plate large; female ectoproct with digging setae.

Larva. Mandibular bases close together, separated by about basal width of mandible; mandible with 3 teeth, middle tooth closer to distal tooth than basal tooth; distal tooth not shorter than middle tooth; abdomen without dolichasters or tufted setae along median area, sometimes with lateral scoli.

Biology. Larvae are either free living in sand ( Tyttholeon Adams ), live in protected areas (rock overhangs) ( Menkeleon ) or live on rocks or tree trunks ( Gnopholeon Stange ). The larvae of Maracandula are unknown, but evidence suggests they are associated with rocks. Some species (especially Maracandula ) are afternoon fliers.

Discussion. This tribe is characteristic of the Sonoran Region. The larvae of the different genera are among the most diverse found in the family and are quite distinct one from another. The main defining feature of this tribe is the larval structure, especially the close proximity of the mandibular bases. The adults differ from the Brachynemurini in lacking any well-developed postventral lobe on the male ectoproct and, probably more importantly, in the structure of the female terminalia which have the posterior gonapophysis inflated or enlarged and/or with an enlarged pregenital plate. Most of the genera (except Gnopholeon Stange ) lack tibial spurs.