Epacanthaclisis ningshana Wan & Wang, 2010

Zheng, Yuchen, Badano, Davide, Aspöck, Ulrike, Aspöck, Horst, Hayashi, Fumio & Liu, Xingyue, 2025, Revision of the antlion genus Epacanthaclisis Okamoto, 1910 (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae: Dendroleontinae), Zootaxa 5657 (1), pp. 1-100 : 79-85

Epacanthaclisis ningshana Wan & Wang, 2010

( Figs. 1F , 2R , 39E–G , 46–48 , 49D , 53I–J , 54I–J , 55E )

Epacanthaclisis ningshana Wan & Wang in Ao et al., 2010: 53 (type locality: China: Shaanxi, Ankang, Ningshan County, Huoditang; holotype in CAU). Liu & Yang, 2018: 260 ( Epacanthaclisis ). Wang et al., 2018: 54 ( Epacanthaclisis ). Yang et al., 2018: 63 ( Epacanthaclisis ). Yang et al., 2023: 783 ( Epacanthaclisis ).

Diagnosis. Adult: Vertex anteriorly with three black spots, medially with an indistinct black marking, posteriorly with three transversal spots. Pronotum pale brown, medially with a pair of adjacent longitudinal dark brown stripes; laterally with a pair of oblique long dark lines; lateral margin black. Fore and mid tibial spurs reaching base of tarsomere 4. Wings hyaline with dark markings. Male abdominal tergum 3 generally pale yellowish-brown, with two pair of brown markings; tergum 4 anteriorly pale yellowish-brown, posteriorly brown; tergum 5 mostly brown, anteriorly pale yellow, anteromedial margin with pair of tufts of bristles. Male internal gonocoxites 9 narrowed trapezoid in cephalic view; ectoproct weakly expanded. Female posterior branches of gonocoxites 8 digitiform, curved; gonapophyses 8 transversal ribbon-shaped, internally curved and constricted. 3rd instar larva. Body pale yellowish-brown. Head as long as wide; dorsal head anteriorly with a curved transversal black band, medially with dark dots, posteriorly with a pair of V-shaped brown markings; ventral head medially with a pair of indistinct brownish markings. Anterior mesothoracic setiferous processes short digitiform, slightly longer than the posterior pair. Meso-, metanotum, and dorsal abdominal segments each with a pair of brown markings and many black and dark brown dots.

Re-description of adult. Size. Head width: 2.08–2.54 mm; forewing length: 30.78–36.32 mm; hindwing length: 31.46–36.96 mm.

Head. Vertex anteriorly with three black spots, medially with an indistinct black marking, posteriorly with three transversal spots ( Fig. 46C ). Dark brown marking around scape. Scape pale brown, with a dark brown marking; pedicel pale brown; flagellum mostly pale yellowish-brown on basal part and gradually darken distally, non-swollen flagellomeres each with a dark circular marking, swollen flagellum mostly dark brown. Frons generally pale yellowish-brown, anteriorly dark brown and brown, dark part medially concave ( Fig. 46B ). Clypeus pale yellowish-brown with a few setae. Labrum brown. Maxillary palpus dark brown, distal segment orange. Labial palpus pale yellowish-brown, distal segment fusiform and brown. Mandibles yellowish-brown with distal half dark reddish brown.

Thorax. Pale brown and dark brown. Pronotum pale brown, medially with a pair of adjacent longitudinal dark brown stripes; laterally with a pair of oblique long dark lines; lateral margin black; laterally covered with long pale and dark setae. Mesoprescutum generally black with a pair of lateral pale brown spots; mesonotum generally dark brown, laterally with a pair of pale brown markings, a pair of longitudinal dark brown lines present on the pale brown markings; mesoscutellum black, posteriorly with three connected pale brown spots. Metanotum dark brown with a pair of pale brown markings; metascutellum generally black, posteriorly pale brown ( Fig. 46C ). Pleurae dark brown and pale brown.

Legs. Covered with many pale and dark setae. All coxae pale yellowish-brown each with an indistinct dark spot; tibial spurs brown, barely curved; tarsomeres 2–4 generally dark brown; tarsomeres 1 and 5 generally pale yellow, distally black, tarsomere 5 as long as entire length of tarsomeres 1–4; pretarsal claws slightly curved, protruded basally. Foreleg: Femur pale yellowish-brown, dorsally with a longitudinal dark brown stripe; tibia pale yellowish-brown, mediobasally and distally each with a dark brown marking; tibial spur reaching base of tarsomere 4. Midleg: Femur pale yellowish-brown, distally with a dark brown marking; tibia pale yellow, mediobasally and distally each with a dark brown marking; tibial spur reaching base of tarsomere 4. Hind leg: Femur pale yellowish-brown, distally black; tibia mostly pale yellow, mediobasally with an indistinct dark brown spot and distally dark brown; tibial spur reaching base of tarsomere 3; tarsomere 1 longer than that of fore- and midleg ( Fig. 46A ).

Wings. Generally hyaline, with some markings. Hindwing slightly longer than forewing. Pterostigma pale. Forewing costal space with a dark brown marking proximad pterostigma; rhegma various, as an oblique dark brown stripe, sometimes curved; cubital area basally with an dark brown marking; posterior margin with many scattered dots; costal, distal half of prefork and basal half of posterior crossveins mostly connected by oblique veinlets; four to six presectoral crossveins present, distal presectoral cells biloculate; RP with 9–11 branches; RP origin basal to MP fork, nearly align at CuA fork. Hindwing rhegma indistinct; posterior margin with many scattered dots; two presectoral crossveins present ( Figs. 39E–G , 46A ).

Abdomen. Male terga 1–2 generally dark brown; tergum 3 generally pale yellowish-brown, with two pair of brown markings; tergum 4 anteriorly pale yellowish-brown, posteriorly brown; tergum 5 mostly brown, anteriorly pale yellow, anteromedial margin with pair of tufts of bristles; terga 6–8 mostly dark brown ( Figs. 2R , 49D ). Male genitalia. Sternum 9 wide, nearly bell-shaped, constricted on distal part, distal part covered with long setae ( Fig. 46E ). External gonocoxites 9 strongly sclerotized externally, encased internal gonocoxites 9; external gonocoxites 9 externally angular in ventral view, subtriangular in cephalic and lateral view; internal gonocoxites 9 nearly narrowed trapezoid, external margin oblique truncate in cephalic view. Gonocoxites 11 arched arrow-shaped in caudal view; gonapophyses 11 tiny, U-shaped in ventral view ( Figs. 46H–L ). Ectoproct nearly short rectangular in dorsal view, rounded in lateral view, weakly expanded on distal margin, distal part covered with many curved stout setae ( Figs. 46D–E ). Female genitalia. Pregenital plate tapered. Anterior branches of gonocoxites 8 weakly developed, tuberculate, covered with setae; posterior branches of gonocoxites 8 digitiform, curved, covered with long setae; gonapophyses 8 transversal ribbon-shaped, internally curved and constricted. Gonocoxites 9 covered with short stout tapered setae. Ectoproct subtriangular in lateral view ( Figs. 46F–G ).

Description of 3rd instar larva. Size. Body length (excluding mandible): 23.24–24.76 mm; head length: 5.92– 6.35 mm; head width: 5.90–6.32 mm; mandible length: 6.54–6.93 mm.

Head. As long as wide, laterally with long clavate setae. Clypeo-labrum generally brown; anterior margin covered with many pale dolichasters. Dorsal head anteriorly with a curved transversal black band, medially with dark dots, posteriorly with a pair of V-shaped brown markings; ventral head medially with a pair of indistinct brownish markings. Ocular tubercle prominent, black. Antennae brown, long and thin. Mandible longer than head, basally with six interdental mandibular setae; first tooth shorter than second tooth; second tooth as long as third tooth; two short interdental mandibular setae between first and second teeth ( Figs. 48 , 53I–J ).

Thorax. Laterally with long setae, those setae clavate on the tip. Pronotum yellowish-brown, scattered with dozens dark dots, covered with tiny dark setae medially and long dark and pale setae laterally; with indistinct brown markings. Mesothorax with spiracles present on short stout yellowish-brown sclerotized tubercle, lateral margin dark brown. Meso- and metanotum each with a pair of brown markings. Ventral meso- and metathorax each with a pair of dark brown markings. Anterior mesothoracic setiferous processes short digitiform, slightly longer than the posterior pair; metathoracic setiferous processes relatively short, tuberculate, posterior pair wider ( Figs. 48 , 54I–J ).

Legs. Pale yellowish-brown. Foreleg short. Midleg longer than fore- and hind leg ( Fig. 48C ).

Abdomen. Generally pale yellowish-brown, medially pale yellow, laterally with long clavate setae. Each dorsal segments with a pair of brown markings and many black and brown dots; each ventral segments 1–7 with seven brown spots and many brown dots ( Fig. 48A ); ventral segment 8 with a pair of dark brown markings. Each segment with a pair of small tubercular setiferous processes on lateral margin ( Fig. 48B ). Abdominal segment 9 triangular, as long as wide; both dorsally and ventrally each with a pair of dark brown spots; short rastra with four pair of digging setae ( Fig. 55E ).

Type material. Holotype ♂, CHINA: Shaanxi, Ankang, Ningshan County [÷ĸ县], Huoditang [Ẋ地塘], 5.VIII.1979, 1620 m, Yinheng Han ( CAU) . Paratypes: 1♀, same location as holotype, 16.VIII.1984, Anmin Wang ; 1♀, CHINA: same location as holotype, 18.VIII.1984, Jianglong Hou ( CAU) ; 1♀, CHINA: same location as holotype, collected by a member of Northwest Agricultural College ( CAU) ; 1♀, CHINA: same location as holotype, 14.VIII.1998, Decheng Yuan ( CAU) ; 1♀, CHINA: same location as holotype, 16.VIII.1994, Guangsheng Zuo ( CAU) .

Additional material examined. Adult: 1♂, CHINA: Beijing, Mentougou District [LJ头ŝ区], Xiaolongmen [小ĪLJ], 1.VIII.1992, Weiwei Zhang ( CAU) ; 1♀, same locality as above, VIII.2019, Yunlong Ma & Hongyu Li ( CAU) ; 1♀, same locality as above, 21.VIII.1990, Meng Chen ( CAU) . 1♂, CHINA: Beijing, Miyun District [ẑ云 区], Sihetang Township [四º堂乡], 25.VI.2005, Jialin Yu ( CAU) . 1♀, CHINA: Hebei, Chengde, Xinglong County [ẌNj县], Shangshidong Township [上Ƌō乡], 24–28.VII.2012, Wei Li ( CAU) . 1♀, CHINA: Henan (misspelling as “ Hainan ”) ( CAU) . 1♀, CHINA: Henan, Jiyuan, Macaque Nature Reserve [ŨNuḦ保ae区], 21.VII.2020, Xingyue Liu ( CAU) . 2♀, CHINA: Henan, Luoyang, Songxian County [嵩县], Mt. Baiyunshan [H云Ɯ], 25.VII.2002, Rong Bao ( CAU) ; 1♂, same locality as above, 1500 m, 14.VII.2004, Zhiliang Wang ( CAU) ; 1♀, same locality as above, 1500 m, 14.VIII.2008, Xingyue Liu ( CAU) . 1♂, CHINA: Henan, Luoyang, Luanchuan [ẋm县], Longyuwan [Īěŵ], 7.VII.2019, Raorao Mo ( CAU) . 1♂, CHINA: Henan, Luoyang, Songxian County, Mt. Tianchishan [天 ẼƜ], 1000 m, 13.VII.2004, Zhiliang Wang ( CAU) . 1♂ 1♀, CHINA: Henan, Nanyang, Neixiang County [内乡 县], Baotianman [Ṫ天ª], 1350 m, 23.VII.2004, Zhiliang Wang ( CAU) . 1♀, CHINA: Henan, Nanyang, Xishan County [Zṉ县], Junmahe Town [ṬḶñḍ], Zhaigen [ḁDz], 700 m, 26.VIII.1996, Xiaocheng Shen ( CAU) . 1♀, CHINA: Henan, Sanmenxia, Lingbao County [NJṪ县], Mt. Yawushan [亚KƜ], 1200 m, 21.VIII.1996, Xiaocheng Shen ( CAU) . 1♀, CHINA: Henan, Sanmenxia, Lingbao County, Yuling Town [予NJḍ], Mt. Yawushan , 634 m, 15.VIII.2020, Weihai Li & Yanhua Yan ( CAU) . 2♂ 5♀, CHINA: Shanxi, Linfen ,

Yuanqu County [dzẅ县], Mt. Lishan [历Ɯ], Dahe Village [大ñť], 26.VII.2013, Tingting Zhang ( CAU); 1♂ 1♀, same locality as above, 22–26.VII.2012, Zhenhua Zhang . 1♂ 1♀, CHINA: Shanxi, Linfen, Qinshui County [Ŵ AE县], Dahetan [大ñû], 15.VIII.2022, Jinyuan Yan ( CAU) . 1♂ 1♀, CHINA: Shanxi, Linfen, Qinshui County, Zhuweigou [RDZŝ], 29.VII.2013, Tingting Zhang ( CAU) . 1♀, CHINA: Shanxi, Huozhou, Qiliyu [七Ƃě], 1550 m, 28.VII.1972, Shuyong Wang ( CAU) . CHINA: Shaanxi, Ankang, Ningshan County, Guanghuojie Town [Ḟḣ èḍ], 1180 m, 10.VII.2013, Yuqiang Xi ( CAU) . 1♂, CHINA: Shaanxi, Baoji, Weibin District [āå区], Erliguan Village [二Ƃïť], Dasanguan [大ờï], 805 m, 7.VIII.2020, Bing Zhang ( CAU) . 1♀, CHINA: Shaanxi, Baoji, Fengxian County [凤县], near Jialingjiang River [嘉äȕ], 15.VIII.2013, Lu Jiang ( CAU) . 1♀, CHINA: Shaanxi, Hanzhong, Foping County [佛坪县], Liangfengya [êū垭], 28.VI.1999, Jian Yao ( CAU) . 1♂, CHINA: Shaanxi, Hanzhong , Foping County, 876 m, 16.VII.2007, Hongliang Shi & Ganyan Yang ( CAU) . 3♀, CHINA: Shaanxi, Xian, Zhouzhi County [周ľ县], Houzhenzi Town [厚DŦḍ], 1297 m, 2.VIII.2015, Fan Yang ( CAU) . 1♂, CHINA: Shaanxi, Yanan, Huangling County [Wä县], Liuya Forestry Farm [Ḡžṳ 场], 950, 1.VIII.2019 ( CAU) . 1♂, same locality as holotype, 14.VIII.1984, collected by a member of Northwest Agricultural College ( CAU) . 1♀, same locality as holotype, 31.VIII.2018, Yingqi Liu & Zhuo Chen ( CAU) . Larvae: one 3rd instar larva preserved in 95% ethyl alcohol, CHINA: Beijing, Haidian District [ėî区], CHINA: Beijing Botanical Garden [北京ḏṱ 园], Wofosi [卧佛ủ], 100 m, 7.IV.2021, Yuchen Zheng & Chao Wu ( ZCAU) . One dried 3rd instar larva, CHINA: Beijing, Changping District [ēṮ区], Nankou Town [南口ḍ], Huyu Village [Ȇěť], 600 m, 17.IV.2023, Yuchen Zheng ( CAU) .

Distribution. China (Beijing, Hebei, Henan, Shanxi, Shaanxi).

Biology. The larvae of this species were found in deep soil and sandy debris beneath a rock wall ( Fig. 47 ).

Remarks. Ao et al. (2010) described E. ningshana based on six specimens from Ningshan (Shaanxi) but identified all other specimens of the E. moiwana species group distributed in North China as E. continetalis (type locality in Kashmir). However, based on our examination, we found that the specimens that were identified as E. continetalis from northern China by Ao et al. (2010), Liu & Yang (2018), Wang et al. (2018), and Yang et al. (2018, 2023) are E. ningshana . Moreover, E. continetalis and E. ningshana do not belong to the same species group, as they exhibit significant morphological differences (see the keys to the species of Epacanthaclisis ) and are geographically isolated. Moreover, a record of E. ningshana from Hainan Island in Ao et al. (2010), Wang et al. (2018), and Yang et al. (2018; 2023) is a mistake due to a misspelling of “ Henan ” on the collection label. Epacanthaclisis is not known to occur on Hainan Island. Furthermore, the living photo identified as Synclisis japonica (Hagen, 1866) in Yang et al. (2023) is E. ningshana .

Unplaced species

Figures

FIGURE 1. Living adults of species of Epacanthaclisis Okamoto, 1905, from China. A. E. wuchaoi Zheng, Badano & Liu sp. nov., female, Lvchun (Yunnan) (photo by Chao Wu); B. E. jiazhii sp. nov., female, Baoshan (Yunnan) (photo by Yuchen Zheng); C. E. maculosa (Yang, 1986), female, Lvchun (Yunnan) (photo by Yuchen Zheng); D. E. xiaohongae Zheng & Liu sp. nov., male, Pianma (Yunnan) (photo by Yuchen Zheng); E. E. minana (Yang, 1999), male, Dehua (Fujian) (photo by Yuchen); F. E. ningshana Wan & Wang, 2010, male, Beijing (photo by Chao Wu); G. E. darman Zheng, Badano, U. Aspöck, H. Aspöck & Liu sp. nov., male, Gyirong (Xizang) (photo by Chao Wu); H. E. zuqii Zheng, Badano, U. Aspöck, H. Aspöck & Liu sp. nov., Pianma (Yunnan) (photo by Yuchen Zheng).

FIGURE 2. Male abdomens of Epacanthaclisis spp., dorsal view. The E. continentalis group: A. E. continentalis Esben- Petersen, 1935, Khinjan (Afghanistan); B. E. darman Zheng, Badano, U. Aspöck, H. Aspöck & Liu sp. nov., Gyirong (Xizang, China); C. E. hamata Krivokhatsky, 1998, Talas (Kyrgyzstan); D. E. liuyingqiae Zheng, Badano, U. Aspöck, H. Aspöck & Liu sp. nov., Medog (Xizang, China); E. E. victor Badano, Zheng & Liu sp. nov., Zhentang (Xizang, China); F. E. zhiweii Zheng, Badano, U. Aspöck, H. Aspöck & Liu sp. nov., Tsizhong (Yunnan, China); G. E. zuqii Zheng, Badano, U. Aspöck, H. Aspöck & Liu sp. nov., Pianma (Yunnan, China); The E. tuyuezhengi group: H. E. tuyuezhengi Zheng & Liu sp. nov., Yajiang (Sichuan, China); I. E. zhihaoi Zheng & Liu sp. nov., Weixi (Yunnan, China); The E. maculosa group: J. E. jiazhii Zheng, U. Aspöck, H. Aspöck, Hayashi & Liu sp. nov., Baoshan (Yunnan, China); K. E. maculosa (Yang, 1986), Baoshan (Yunnan, China); L. E. minana (Yang, 1999), Dehua (Fujian, China); M. E. minana, Lu-An (Anhui, China); N. E. xiaohongae Zheng & Liu sp. nov., Pianma (Yunnan, China); The E. moiwana group: O. E. banksi Krivokhatsky, 1998, Wenxian (Gansu, China); P. E. longwai Zheng, Hayashi & Liu sp. nov., Lu-An (Anhui, China); Q. E. moiwana (Okamoto, 1905), Yatsushiro (Japan); R. E. ningshana Wan & Wang, 2010, Beijing (China).

FIGURE 39. Habitus of the Epacanthaclisis moiwana group. A. E. banksi Krivokhatsky, 1998, male, Wenxian (Gansu); B. E. banksi, female, Wenxian (Gansu); C. E. moiwana (Okamoto, 1905), male, Yatsushiro (Japan); D. E. moiwana, female, Japan. E. E. ningshana Wan & Wang, 2010, male, Linfen (Shanxi); F. E. ningshana, female, Linfen (Shanxi); G. E. ningshana, holotype male, Ningshan (Shaanxi); H. E. longwai Zheng, Hayashi & Liu sp. nov., holotype male, Lu-An (Anhui).

FIGURE 46. Epacanthaclisis ningshana Wan & Wang, 2010, adult, Luoyang (Henan, China). A. Habitus; B. head, frontal view; C. head and thorax, dorsal view; male terminalia: D. lateral view; E. ventral view; female terminalia: F. lateral view; G. ventral view; male genitalia: H. ventral view; I. dorsal view; J. lateral view; K. cephalic view; L. caudal view.

FIGURE 47. Living larva and habitat of Epacanthaclisis ningshana Wan & Wang, 2010. A. living larva; B. habitat, Mt. Xiangshan (Beijing), red arrow indicates the position where the larva was collected.; C. The collecting locality, Mt. Xiangshan (Beijing). (Photos by Yuchen Zheng)

FIGURE 48. Epacanthaclisis ningshana Wan & Wang, 2010, 3rd larva, Beijing (China). A. Dorsal view; B. ventral view; C. lateral view.

FIGURE 49. The Epacanthaclisis moiwana group, male abdominal terga 4–5, dorsal view. A. E. banksi Krivokhatsky, 1998, Wenxian (Gansu, China); B. E. longwai Zheng, Hayashi & Liu sp. nov., Lu-An (Anhui, China); C. E. moiwana (Okamoto, 1905), Yatsushiro (Japan); D. E. ningshana Wan & Wang, 2010, Beijing (China).

FIGURE 53. Comparison of larval heads of Epacanthaclisis from China. A, C, E, G, I: dorsal view; B, D, F, H, J: ventral view; A–B. E. zuqii Zheng, Badano, U. Aspöck, H. Aspöck & Liu sp. nov., Pianma (Yunnan); C–D. E. jiazhii Zheng, U. Aspöck, H.Aspöck, Hayashi & Liu sp. nov., Baoshan (Yunnan); E–F. E. minana (Yang, 1999), Dehua (Fujian); G–H. E. banksi Krivokhatsky, 1998, Wenchuan (Sichuan); I–J. E. ningshana Wan & Wang, 2010, Beijing.

FIGURE 54. Comparison of larvalthoraces ofEpacanthaclisis from China.A, C, E, G, I: dorsalview; B, D, F, H, J: mesothoracic setiferous processes; A–B. E. zuqii Zheng, Badano, U. Aspöck, H. Aspöck & Liu sp. nov., Pianma (Yunnan); C–D. E. jiazhii Zheng, U.Aspöck, H. Aspöck, Hayashi & Liu sp. nov., Baoshan (Yunnan); E–F. E. minana (Yang, 1999), Dehua (Fujian); G–H. E. banksi Krivokhatsky, 1998, Wenchuan (Sichuan); I–J. E. ningshana Wan & Wang, 2010, Beijing.

FIGURE 55. Comparison of larval abdominal segments 9 of Epacanthaclisis from China, ventral view; A. E. zuqii Zheng, Badano, U.Aspöck, H. Aspöck & Liu sp. nov., Pianma (Yunnan); B. E. jiazhii Zheng, U. Aspöck, H. Aspöck, Hayashi & Liu sp. nov., Baoshan (Yunnan); C. E. minana (Yang, 1999), Dehua (Fujian); D. E. banksi Krivokhatsky, 1998, Wenchuan (Sichuan); E. E. ningshana Wan & Wang, 2010, Beijing.