Nemia angulata ( Westwood, 1836 ), 2013

Abdalla, Ishtiag H., Mansell, Mervyn W. & Sole, Catherine L., 2019, Revision of the southern African genera Nemopterella Banks and Nemia Navás (Neuroptera: Nemopteridae: Nemopterinae), with descriptions of new genera and species, Zootaxa 4635 (1), pp. 1-89 : 74-76

Nemia angulata ( Westwood, 1836)

( Figs 157 , 162 , 167 , 172 )

Nemoptera angulata Westwood, 1836: 75 .

Nematoptera angulata (Westwood) : Westwood 1841: 12.

Nemoptera angula: Walker 1853: 475 (Incorrect subsequent spelling of angulata ).

Halter costalis (Westwood) : Kirby 1900: 458 (partim).

Eretmoptera costalis (Westwood) : Navás 1910: 361 (partim).

Nemopterella costalis (Westwood) : Navás 1912: 9 (partim).

Nemia angulata (Westwood) : Tjeder 1967: 446.

Etymology. Unknown, but probably from the Latin word angulatus (angle) for the acute wing apex.

Type locality. South Africa, Western Cape Province. Cape of Good Hope. Subsequently designated type locality by Tjeder (1967): Pofadder , Northern Cape Province, South Africa, 29°09’S 19°25’E. ( Fig. 157 ) .

Type depository. OXUM .

Diagnosis. This species can be separated from its congeners by the remarkable acute apex of the forewings ( Fig. 162 ).

Size (mm). Male: body length 12.7 (11–14.7); forewing 30.2 (27–35.5); hind wing 62.6 (59–79.9); antenna 35.2 (25–36.1); Female: body length 13 (11.7–14.2); forewing 26.1 (24.9–30.4); hind wing 60.1 (52.2–67.6); antenna 16.6 (15.9–20.9). (N = 31).

Type material. SOUTH AFRICA, Western Cape Province. Holotype ♂ ( Photo ), ( Fig. 157 ), labelled: ‘C.G.H.’ [= Cape of Good Hope] (white handwritten label) / ‘W’ [Westwood] (blue diamond-shaped handwritten label) / Nemopt. angulata Westw., Trans Ent. S. 1 Nat. Lib. Introd. to Entomol. pl. 27 1 (white handwritten label). ( OXUM).

Other material examined. SOUTH AFRICA, Northern Cape Province. 5♂ 2♀, TMSA 00756, Kenhardt 6 m West of [29°24’23’’S 21°06’01’’E] 12.X.54, A.J.T.Janse / Nemia angulata ( Westwood, 1836) ♀, Det. M.W.Mansell, 2013; 3♂, TMSA 02087, Marydale 5 mi North of [29°20’19’’S 22°05’50’’E], 9–10.x.1954, A.J.T.Janse / Nemia angulata Westw. det. Tjeder 1966; 3♂ 1♀, TMSA 02088, Brakfontein, Richtersveld [28°56’S 17°06’E], 20.x.1933, G.van Son / Nemia angulata Westw. det. Tjeder 1966; 1♂ 1♀, TMSA 00755, Farm Cnydas 12 km NW Lutzputs [28°09’S 20°34’E], 10.x.1980, Rautenbach, Wolhuter / Nemia angulata ( Westwood, 1836) Det. M.W.Mansell 2013 ; 1♂ 1♀, TMSA 00756, Kenhardt West of, 1–14.X.1954, A.J.T.Janse / Nemia angulata ( Westwood, 1836) , Det. M.W.Mansell 2013. (All TMSA). 1♂, NEUR 08896, Richtersveld, Blackie’s Prospect, 8 km E Die Koei, 28°18’S 17°05’E, 320m, 3.x.1991, M.W.Mansell / Collected at light. ( SANC). 1♂, A001233 [Van] Wyk[s] Vlei, 10.85 / Nemia angulata Westw. , det Bo Tjeder 1966; 1♂, SAM–NEU–A001241, Nemoptera bacillaris Klug / Identified with Nemoptera angulata Westw. ( SAMC). NAMIBIA, Karas Region. 3♂, NEUR 08897, Obib Dunes 54 mi N.E. Oranjemund, S.W.Afr., 19.ix.1962, H.D.Brown, W.Furst; 2♂ 1♀, NEUR 08899, Diamond Area no.1, nr. Aurusberg, 500m, 27°32’S 16°10’E, (2716Ca), 22.x.1974, M.W.Mansell / Collected at mercury vapour light, arid rocky terrain; 1♂, NEUR 03758, Rooiduine at Obib Mountains, 28°07’S 16°44’E, 1.xi.1999, M.W.Mansell / Handnetted on sand between Euphorbia bushes; 1♀, NEUR 08898, Obib Mountains, 28°00’S 16°39’E, 19.xi.1992, no collector name. (All SANC). 1♂, SAM–NEU–A001232, S.W.Africa, Kalkfontein / Nemia angulata Westw. , det. Bo Tjeder 1966. Hardap Region. 1♀, A001230, Rehoboth, S.W.A / Nemia angulata Westw. , det. Bo Tjeder 1966; ( SAMC).

Distribution and habitat. This species is endemic to South Africa and Namibia ( Fig. 172 ). In South Africa, the range encompasses the northern part of Namaqualand and extends eastwards to include the northern portion of the Nama Karoo Biome. In Namibia, the range includes the south-western portion of the Namib Desert. The habitats in these areas are characterised by extreme aridity, although the area along the coast is more humid and is characterised by winter rains and succulent vegetation, while the Nama Karoo region is typified by summer rain and a Karoo vegetation type.

Figures

FIGURE 157. Nemia angulata (Westwood), holotype and associated labels (Photo: OXUM).

FIGURES 162–166. Nemia spp. Male forewings. 162, N. angulata (Westwood); 163, N. elongata Tjeder; 164, N. karrooa (Péringuey); 165, N. costalis (Westwood); 166, N. lata Tjeder.

FIGURES 167–168. Nemia spp. Thorax. 167, N. angulata (Westwood); 168, N. costalis (Westwood).

FIGURES 172–177. Distribution maps of Nemia spp. 172, N. angulata (Westwood); 173, N. costalis (Westwood); 174, N. elongata Tjeder; 175, N. karrooa (Péringuey); 176, N. lata Tjeder; 177, N. zebra Tjeder.