Albardia furcata Weele, 1903

Machado, Renato Jose Pires, Oliveira, Sarah Siqueira, Lopes, Welinton Ribamar & Pujol-Luz, José Roberto, 2021, Description of the larva and updated distribution of Albardia furcata van der Weele (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae), Revista Brasileira de Entomologia (e 20210061) 65 (3), pp. 1-8 : 3-5

Albardia furcata Weele, 1903

( Figures. 1-4 )

Larval rearing

We breed two larvae of A.furcata in the laboratory, from the last larval instar until the emergence of the imago. The first larva was collected in Cerrado vegetation in the state of Goiás (Monte Alegre de Goiás, Fazenda Nossa Senhora Aparecida, 17.iv.2010, Rafael col.; emergence: 03.vii.2010) and second at the Distrito Federal (Brazlândia, Fazenda Barra do Dia, S 19 o 31.888’/W 48 o 18.324’/S, 02.vii.2012, Moussalem col.; emergence: 16.xi.2012). Among the variety of offered preys the termites apparently were the most appreciated by the larvae of A. furcata , perhaps due to their greater mobility within the terrarium.

We took notes on the date when the cocoon closed and considered this as the beginning of the pupa stage and recorded the following results: first larva: collected in 17.iv.2010, cocoon closed: 26.v.2010, adult emergence in 03.vii.2010 (total time between pupa and adult emergence: 38 days, total time between field collection and adult emergence: 77 days); second larva: collected in 02.vii.2012, cocoon closed: 10.x.2012, adult emergence in 16.xi.2012 (total time between pupa and adult emergence: 37 days, total time between field collection and adult emergence: 138 days).

The larvae were collected in arid places, exposed to sunlight, on rock shelters, very similar to the environment described inFerreira and Yanega (1999). A third larva was also collected and reared laboratory, but died after some time and was herein used as model for the morphological description.

Third instar larva description

Measurements: Body length (from clypeo-labrum margin to abdomen tip) = 26.2 mm; mandible length = 4.3 mm; head length = 3.7 mm; head width = 5.8 mm.

Head ( Figure 2 ): dorso-ventrally flattened; wider than long, with the medial region as the widest one; dorsally covered by short dolichasters ( Figure 2a ). Posterior margin cordate, with pronounced occipital margins. Anterior clypeo-labrum margin covered with dolichasters, rounded, and with a deep invagination medially. Ocular tubercle, prominent, cylindrical, bearing six dorsal stemmata and one ventral. Anterior margin of ocular tubercle covered by dolichasters, and posterior margin covered by elongated setae. Antennal tubercle reduced to a small protuberance near the base of ocular tubercle and covered by dolichasters slightly shorter than antennal scape.Antennal scape as small goblet, remaining parts of antennae broken. Lateral margin of the head covered with elongated setae from the area posterior to the ocular tubercle up to the widest region of the head ( Figure 2a ). In ventral view with a linear and medial hypostomal bridge and gula small and triangular ( Figure 2b ). Subgenal ridge prominent and rounded. Area between subgenal ridge and ocular tubercle excavated, where the open jaws lay. Labium small and sclerotized. Labial palp four segmented, being the basal one much larger than the other three combined ( Figure 2b ), broad, curved and covered with short dolichasters. Remaining palpomeres very thin, second one inserted in a small excavation of the basal one, and with the same length of the third one. Apical palpomere longer than the medial ones, tapering apically, and bearing a rounded palpimacula. Jaws longer than head capsule, capable of open up to 270 degrees, and composed by a dorsal mandible with a ventral groove, and a ventral and thinner maxilla that fits into the mandible groove ( Figure 2c ). Jaws elongated, curving inwards in the distal fourth, with acuminated apex, and bearing three teeth in the inner margin ( Figure 2 ). The basal tooth is the shortest one and is located nearly equidistant from the second tooth and the base. The second tooth is the largest one and placed closer to the apical tooth. Jaws with some dolichasters at the base and some pseudoteeth between the three teeth.

Thorax + Abdomen: dorso-ventrally flattened, elliptical, covered with short dolichasters, and bearing elongated scolus-like processes in the thoracic and abdominal segments ( Figure 1b ). These scolus-like processes are all covered with elongated dolichasters. These long dolichasters are used to hold sand and other soil particles ( Figures 2a ; 3 b-d).

Thorax: pronotum small, semi elliptical, and without setiferous processes ( Figure 3a ). Mesonotum with a small anterior region bearing a dark short tubercle in each corner, where the spiracles are placed ( Figure 3a ). Posterior region of mesothorax broad and bearing two scolus-like processes at the lateral margins. The anterior scolus-like process in the mesonotum is angled medially and is the longest and broadest in the entire body ( Figure 2a ). The posterior mesothoracic scolus-like process is placed slightly ventral, and is much shorter and thinner than the anterior one ( Figure 2a ). In live specimens these two processes are covered by dirt, appearing a unique broad process that hides underneath the tip of the mandible when opened ( Figure 1b ). Metathorax with the anterior scolus-like process curved medially, and about the same size of the posterior mesothoracic one ( Figures 2a ; 3b ). Metathoracic posterior setiferous process, reduced to a small tubercle covered by dolichasters, and placed slightly ventral to the anterior one ( Figures 2a ; 3b ). Foreleg covered by short dolichasters, tarsus bearing few sclerotized setae at the apex, and tarsus composed of one tarsomere bearing two short claws ( Figures 2 a-b). Mid leg almost identical to fore leg, but slightly longer. Hind leg with tibia and tarsus fused, and femur slightly more robust than in anterior legs.

Abdomen: segments 1-8 very similar, broad thin and bearing one dorsal scolus-like process each. Abdominal scolus-like process shorter than thoracic ones, about the same length, except by the ones at the segments 7 and 8 slightly shorter ( Figure 1b ). Sternite 8 without odontoid processes at the distal margin ( Figure 3d ). Segment 9 conical, bearing some black sclerotized setae, particularly at the apex, but without specialized digging setae and rastra ( Figures 3 c-d). Spiracles of the segments 1-8 ventrally located.

Species distribution

New distributional records based on the examined specimens and internet data:

Examined specimens (36♂, 30♀): Brazil: Bahia: Barreiras, x.2007, Mausen [-12.147121, -45.000729] (1♀ – Esalq); Chapada Diamantina: Palmeiras: Lavrinha, 5.vi – 5.vii.2012, Malaise, Silva Neto A. [-12.510153, -41.578686] (1♀ – INPA); Ceará: Cajueiro [-4.033718, -38.833462] (1♂, 1♀ – MZUSP); Ubajara, Parque Nacional de Ubajara, Cachoeira do Cafundó, 3 o 50’13’’S – 40 o 54’35’’W, Arm. Luminosa, 12-15.i.2013, T.M.A.Lima, F.L. de Oliveira, J.S. Pinto Junior (1♂ – INPA); Distrito Federal: Fazenda Água limpa, i-ii/2014, A. C. Franco, malaise [-15.949126, -47.934242] (1♀ – DZUP); idem 18.iii.1969 (1♀ – DZUP); Brazlândia: 02.vii.2012, Moussalem [-15.66801, -48.195117] (2♀ – DZUP); Planaltina: Córrego Grotão: -15.5583, -47,7619, 900m, 21.xi.2010, Eduardo Emery (1♂ – DZUP); Goiás: Cocalzinho: 31.x.2004, Eddie L. Oliveira [-15.778268, -48.768773] (1♀ – DZUP); Monte Alegre de Goiás:Fazenda Nossa Senhora Aparecida, 17.iv.2010, Rafael [-13.226856, -46.885846](1♀ – DZUP); Varjão: chácara N. Sra. Aparecida, 24.xi.2019, armadilha luminosa, mata, Lopes W. R. [-17.045696, -49.634073] (3♀ – UFG); Maranhão: Carolina, Fazenda Cincorá, Arm. Luz, 17-22.x.2009, F.L. de Oliveira, R.O. Sousa & M.B. Aguiar Neto [-7.332614, -47.460267] (6♂ – INPA); Caxias, Povoado do Descanso, Farol Posto Policial, 20.i.2008, F.L. de Oliveira [-4.932435, -43.161719] (1♂ – INPA); Caxias, P. Urbano, B.Pirajá, Coleta Incidental, 17.xii.2003, J.T. Camara [-4.865920, -43.360790] (1♀ – INPA); Caxias:Povoado Chapada: 117m, 4 o 57’34,5’’S – 43 o 29’38’’W, Arm. Luminosa, 8-10.ii.2016, W.M.A. Rezende, S. Pereira, T.L.Rocha (1♂ – CZMA); - idem: 142m, 4 o 57’29,5’’S – 43 o 29’38,4’’W (16♂, 6♀ – CZMA); Mirador: Parque Estadual Mirador, Base da Geraldina, luz, 20-24. xii.2006, R.O. Souza, J.C. Silva [-6.602778, -45.842222] (1♀ – INPA); Mato Grosso: Chapada dos Guimarães, Rio Mutuca, 19.xi.1981, Luis Avacini [-15.367696, -55.953998] (1♀ – CEMT); Minas Gerais: Nova Lima, x.1963, Ângelo Machado [-19.976815, -43.851244] (1♀ – INPA); Santa Barbara: EPDA peti/Cemig, 9.x.1994, S. N. Alves [-19.895833, -43.368333] (1♂ – DZUP); São Gonçalo Rio Abaixo: Estação Ambiental Peti-Cemig: 19º53’02’’S / 43º22’21’’W, 11-18.x.2012, luminosa, A. Lima, A. Kumagai & P. Dias (1♂ – UFMG); Pará: Serra Norte, NI Luz, 6.xi.1983, F.F. Ramos, I.S. Gorayeb, E.L. Oliveira, M.Zanuto [-6.084678, -50.176894] (1♀ – INPA); Piauí: Parque Nacional Sete Cidades, -4.09900 / -41.70952, 7-13.ii.2013, M.L.Oliveira (1♀ – INPA); Piracuruca, Parque Nacional Sete Cidades, Posto do ICMBio, 4 o 05’57’’S – 41 o 42’34’’W, Arm. Luminosa, 7-13.ii.2013, J.A. Rafael, F.L de Oliveira, J.T. Camara (3♂, 2♀ – INPA); idem – 8-12.i.2013, T.M.A. Lima, F.L. de Oliveira, J.S. Pinto Junior (3♂, 3♀ – INPA); Tocantins: Porto Nacional, xi.2012, P.S. Santos [-10.705468, -48.391465] (1♂ – CEUFT); idem – 24.x.2003, Luana Pereira (1♀ – CEUFT).

Internet data (9♂, 9♀): Brazil: Bahia: Esplanada: -11.795685, -37.9448 (1♀); Itaberaba: -12.57337, -40.279514 (1♀); Mucugê: -13.008828, -41.37118 (1♂); Palmeiras: P.N. Chapada Diamantina : Vale do Capão : -12.600192, -41.498965 (1♂); Ceará: Maranguape: -4.036715, -38.686567 (1♀); Mulungu: -4.309794, -39.000199 (1♀); Espírito Santo: Alegre: -20.762077, -41.535825 (1♂); Maranhão: Chapadão do Céu : -3.741378, -43.360096 (1♀); Mato Grosso: Chapada Guimarães: -15.458295, -55.752458 (1♂); Minas Gerais: Itabirinha de Mantena : -19.514124, -43.46472 (1♀); Paraíba: Conceição: -7.557014, -38.506212 (1♀); Cuité: -6.485466, -36.153697 (1♀); Juazeirinho: -7.055098, -36.656148 (1♀); São José dos Cordeiros: -7.470049, -36.89827 (1♂); Pernambuco: Belo Jardim: -8.337935, -36.423893 (1♂);Caruaru: -8.265028, -36.057383 (1♂); Rio Grande do Norte: Caicó: -6.458425, -37.088128 (1♂); Currais Novos: -6.250534, -36.565452 (1♂).

Figures

Figure 1 Albardia furcata van der Weele: a) adult female; b) live third instar larvae c) cocoon and third instar larvae exuvia; d) pupa exuvia.

Figure 2 Larva of Albardia furcata van der Weele: a) thorax and head, dorsal view; b) head, ventral view; c) left jaw, ventral view. lp = labial palpi; md = mandible; mx = maxilla; ot = ocular tubercle.

Figure 3 Larva of Albardia furcata van der Weele: a) pro- and mesonotum, dorsal view; b) metathorax left scolus-like processes, dorsal view; c) abdomen tip, dorsal view; d) abdomen tip, ventral view. Scale bars = 0,5 mm. ad = first abdominal scolus-like processes; md = metathorax dorsal scolus-like processes; mv = metathorax ventral scolus-like processes; S = spiracle.

Figure 4 Albardia furcata van der Weele distribution.