Eophanes Banks, 1931

Miller, Robert B. & Stange, Lionel A., 2012, The cave mouth antlions of Australia (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae), Insecta Mundi 2012 (250), pp. 1-65 : 22

Eophanes Banks

Eophanes Banks 1931: 60 . Type species: Eophanes formosa Banks , by original designation.

Further description: New 1985c: 8.

Diagnosis. Adult: pretarsal claws large, about equal in length to distal tarsomere; wings broad, falcate.

Description. Adult: large size (forewing 30 mm long or longer). Coloration: pale brown. Structure: antenna long, with well developed fusiform club; wings broad, falcate, no Banksian lines; forewing radial sector arised just beyond cubital fork; forewing vein 2A strongly angled and connected to vein 1A by short crossvein; hindwing radial sector arise slightly basal to medial fork; legs rather slender but stout; tibial spurs long extending to about tarsomere IV; pretarsal claws long and slender; male ectoproct without postventral lobe; parameres flat plates; gonarcus broadly arched; female posterior gonapophysis long and tapered; anterior gonapophysis absent; pregenital plate small.

Distribution: Australia and Philippines.

Biology. The large larvae coexist with Xantholeon larvae in Zone 4B and probably feed on them. The larvae live in shallow dust so as to be able to anchor themselves to the substrate which allows them not to be pulled away too easily by captured prey.

Discussion. We are not familiar with the type species described from the Philippines which may or may not be congeneric with the species found in Western Australia. There appears to be an undescribed species in Queensland. The species of Eophanes appear like large Xantholeon adults but have the broad, falcate wings and much larger pretarsal claws.