Epacanthaclisis banksi Krivokhatsky, 1998

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 : 67-74

Epacanthaclisis banksi Krivokhatsky, 1998

( Figs. 2O , 39A–B , 40–43 , 49A , 53G–H , 54G–H , 55D )

Epacanthaclisis banksi Krivokhatsky, 1998: 47 (type locality: China: Sichuan, “Ts’Ao Po” = [Aba, Wenchuan County, Yanmen Township, near Qingpo Village]; holotype in USNM). Flint, 2002: 96 ( Epacanthaclisis ). Stange, 2004: 88 ( Epacanthaclisis ). Ao et al., 2010: 49 ( Epacanthaclisis ). Cheng et al., 2015: 1 ( Epacanthaclisis , molecular). Michel et al., 2017: 108 ( Epacanthaclisis , phylogeny, using a data of Chen et al. 2015). Wang et al., 2018: 47 ( Epacanthaclisis ). Yang et al., 2018: 62 ( Epacanthaclisis ). Yang et al., 2023: 777 ( Epacanthaclisis ).

Epacanthaclisis amydrovittata Wan & Wang in Ao et al., 2010: 51 (type locality: China: Gansu, Gannan, Thebo (Diebu) County, Lazikou Town; holotype in CAU). Wang et al., 2018: 47 ( Epacanthaclisis ). Yang et al., 2018: 62 ( Epacanthaclisis ). Yang et al., 2023: 776 ( Epacanthaclisis ). syn. nov.

Diagnosis. Adult: Scape and pedicel pale yellowish-brown; flagellum mostly pale yellowish-brown on basal part and gradually darken distally, non-swollen flagellomeres each with a dark circular marking. Pronotum pale yellowish-brown, medially with a pair of adjacent longitudinal dark brown stripes; laterally with a pair of short dark lines (sometimes discontinuous); lateral margin black. Forewing rhegma mostly as an oblique dark brown line, sometimes indistinct. Male abdominal terga 3–4 mostly pale yellow; tergum 5 medially with an indistinct brownish marking, anteromedial margin with a pair of tufts of bristles; abdominal terga 6–8 pale yellow and brown. Male external gonocoxites 9 curved in ventral view, subtriangular in cephalic view; internal gonocoxites 9 nearly trapezoid, external margin rounded in cephalic view; gonocoxites 11 arrow-shaped in caudal view. Female posterior branches of gonocoxites 8 short digitiform, concave internally, covered with long setae; gonapophyses 8 slender ribbon-shaped, internally sharp. 3rd instar larva: Body pale to pale yellowish-brown. Head Longer than wide; dorsal head anteriorly with a pair of transversal short black band, medially with many dark dots, posteriorly with a pair of V-shaped dark brown markings; lateral head with a pair of irregular brown band; ventral head medially with a pair of adjacent brown markings, anterolateral and posterolateral margin each with a pair of brown spots, other part with dark dots. Anterior mesothoracic setiferous processes 1.25 times as long as the posterior pair; metathoracic setiferous processes relatively short, the posterior pair wider. Dorsal abdominal segments each medially with a pair of irregular dark brown markings and dozens dark dots.

Re-description of adult. Size. Head width: 3.12–3.17 mm; forewing length: 36.42–42.24 mm; hindwing length: 36.63–42.52 mm.

Head. Vertex pale yellowish-brown, two transversal dark brown bands present on anterior and posterior parts ( Fig. 40C ). A black marking present on the insertion of antenna and anterior frons. Scape and pedicel pale yellowish-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, black marking on anterior frons medially concave ( Fig. 40B ). Clypeus pale yellowish-brown with a few setae. Labrum brown. Maxillary palpus generally pale yellowish-brown. Labial palpus pale yellowish-brown, distal segment fusiform and brown. Mandibles yellowish-brown with distal half dark reddish brown.

Thorax. Pale yellowish-brown and dark brown. Pronotum pale yellowish-brown, medially with a pair of adjacent longitudinal dark brown stripes; laterally with a pair of short dark lines (sometimes discontinuous); lateral margin black; laterally covered with a mixture of 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 yellowish-brown markings, a pair of longitudinal dark brown lines present on the pale yellowish-brown markings; mesoscutellum generally pale yellowish-brown, anteromedially with a pair of longitudinal dark brown markings. Metanotum dark brown and pale yellowish-brown ( Figs. 40B , 43B–C ). Pleurae generally pale yellowish-brown, with dark brown markings.

Legs. Covered with many pale and dark setae. All coxae pale yellowish-brown each with an indistinct dark spot; tibial spurs brown, barely curved; tarsomere 1 generally pale; tarsomere 2 pale, distally dark brown; tarsomeres 3–4 dark brown; tarsomere 5 generally pale, distally black, 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, other part with some dark dots; tibial spur reaching tip of tarsomere 3. Midleg: Similar to foreleg. Hind leg: Femur pale yellowish-brown, distally brown; tibia mostly pale yellowish-brown, mediobasally and distally each with an indistinct dark brown marking; tibial spur reaching base of tarsomere 3; tarsomere 1 longer than that of fore- and midleg ( Fig. 40A ).

Wings. Mostly hyaline, with some markings. Forewing as long as hindwing. Pterostigma pale. Forewing costal space with a dark brown marking proximad pterostigma; rhegma and the marking on basal cubital area various, sometimes as an oblique stripe, and sometimes indistinct; marginal cubital area with scattered dots; costal, distal half of prefork and basal half of posterior crossveins mostly connected by oblique veinlets; four to five presectoral crossveins present; RP with 11–12 branches; RP origin basal to MP fork, nearly align at CuA fork. Hindwing hyaline without marking; two presectoral crossvein present ( Figs. 39A–B , 40A , 43A ).

Abdomen. Male tergum 1 pale yellow, posteriorly with a black marking; tergum 2 pale yellow, medially with a longitudinal black subtriangular stripe; terga 3–4 mostly pale yellow; tergum 5 swollen, medially with an indistinct brownish marking, anteromedial margin with a pair of tufts of bristles; abdominal terga 6–8 pale yellow and brown ( Figs. 2O , 49A ). Female terga 3–7 each laterally with a pair of dark brown stripes and posteromedially with a dark brown stripe ( Fig. 39B ). Male genitalia. Sternum 9 wide, nearly bell-shaped, constricted on distal part, distal part covered with long setae ( Fig. 40E ). External gonocoxites 9 strongly sclerotized externally, encased internal gonocoxites 9; external gonocoxites 9 curved in ventral view, subtriangular in cephalic and lateral view; internal gonocoxites 9 nearly trapezoid, external margin rounded in ventral view. Gonocoxites 11 arrow-shaped in caudal view; gonapophyses 11 tiny, H-shaped in ventral view ( Figs. 40H–L ). Ectoproct long rectangular in dorsal view, rounded on distal margin, distal part covered with many curved stout setae ( Figs. 40D–E ). Female genitalia. Pregenital plate tapered. Anterior branches of gonocoxites 8 weakly developed, tuberculate, covered with setae; posterior branches of gonocoxites 8 short digitiform, concave internally, covered with long setae; gonapophyses 8 slender ribbon-shaped, internally sharp. Gonocoxites 9 covered with short stout tapered setae. Ectoproct subtriangular in lateral view ( Figs. 40F–G ).

Description of 3rd instar larva. Size. Body length (excluding mandible): 18.12–23.46 mm; head length: 5.43– 6.22 mm; head width: 5.07–5.85 mm; mandible length: 5.66–6.58 mm.

Head. Longer than wide. Clypeo-labrum generally brown, posterior margin with a pair of black markings; anterior margin covered with many pale dolichasters. Dorsal head anteriorly with a pair of transversal short black band, medially with many dark dots, posteriorly with a pair of V-shaped dark brown markings; lateral head with a pair of irregular brown band; ventral head medially with a pair of adjacent brown markings, anterolateral and posterolateral margin each with a pair of brown spots, other part with dark dots; covered with many dark setae. Ocular tubercle prominent, black. Antennae brown, long and thin. Mandible longer than head, basally with 9–10 interdental mandibular setae; first tooth shorter than second tooth; second tooth as long as third tooth; 2–3 short interdental mandibular setae between first and second teeth ( Figs. 42 , 53G–H ).

Thorax. Pronotum yellowish-brown, scattered with dozens dark dots, covered with tiny dark setae medially and long dark and pale setae laterally; mediolaterally with a pair of longitudinal short stripes, laterally with indistinct brown markings. Mesothorax with spiracles present on short stout brown sclerotized tubercle. Lateral meso- and metanotum each with two pairs of oblique dark brown stripes. Anterior mesothoracic setiferous processes 1.25 times as long as the posterior pair; metathoracic setiferous processes relatively short, posterior pair wider ( Figs. 42 , 54G–H ).

Legs. Foreleg short, without marking. Midleg longer than fore- and hind leg, tibia dorsally with a dark brown marking. Hind leg without marking ( Fig. 42C ).

Abdomen. Pale to pale yellowish-brown. Each dorsal segment medially with a pair of irregular dark brown markings and dozens dark dots. Segments 1–6 each medially with a short dark brown stripe, gradually faded ( Fig. 42A ); ventral segment 8 with a pair of dark brown markings. Each segment with a pair of small tubercular setiferous processes on lateral margin ( Fig. 42B ). 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. 55D ).

Material examined. Adult: 1♀, CHINA: Gansu, Gannan, Thebo County [źǒ县], Lazikou Town [OiŦ口 ḍ], 1700 m, 12.VIII.1980, Chikun Yang (holotype of Epacanthaclisis amydrovittata Wan & Wang, 2010 ) ( CAU) . 1♀, CHINA: Gansu, Longnan, Kangxian County [Ṝ县], Qiujiaba [õẕ坝], 26.VII.2011, Xiao Zhang ( CAU) . 2♀, CHINA: Gansu, Longnan, Wenxian County [Ž县], Liujiaping County [刘ẕ坪乡], 2100 m, 27.VI.1998, Decheng Yuan ( CAU) . 3♂ 2♀, CHINA: Gansu, Longnan, Wenxian County, Baishuijiang National Natural Reserve [HAEȕ国ẕẘuḦ保ae区], Baimahe Station [HḶñạ], 2100 m, 26.VII.2011, Sipei Liu ( CAU) . 1♂, CHINA: Gansu, Gannan, Zhugqu County [Ḃs县], Chagang Township [ĒṄ乡], 1800 m, 12.VII.2018 ( CAU) . 1♂, reared from a pupa, CHINA: Sichuan, Aba, Lixian County [Ẵ县], Putou Town ["头ḍ], Sidanan Village [四大南ť], 1900 m, 12.V.2023, Yuchen Zheng ( CAU) . 1♂, CHINA: Sichuan, Aba , Jiuzhaigou County [九ḁŝ县], 1406 m, 2.VIII.2011, Sipei Liu ( CAU) . 2♂, same locality as above, 2050 m, 10.VII.2010, H.A. Coene & R. Vis ( RMNH) . 1♀, CHINA: Sichuan, Aba, Jiuzhaigou County, Nanping Town [南坪ḍ], 2000 m, 16.VII.1986, Gang Chen (paratype of Epacanthaclisis amydrovittata Wan & Wang, 2010 ) ( CAU) . 1♀, same information as above ( CAU) . 2♀, same location as above, VII.17.1986, Xiaochun Zhang ( CAU) . 1♂ 4♀, same location as above, 2–17.VII.2002, Fuming Shi ( CAU) . Larva: 1 1st instar larva preserved in 95% ethyl alcohol, CHINA: Aba , Wenchuan County [Ŕm县], Qiangrengu Valley [Ɩ人谷], Dongmen Kou [东LJ口], 1500 m, 11.V.2023, Yuchen Zheng ( CAU) . 1 2nd instar larva and 2 3rd instar larvae preserved in 95% ethyl alcohol, CHINA: Aba, Wenchuan County, Qiangrengu Valley , Longxi County [Īâ 乡], 1700 m, 11.V.2023, Yuchen Zheng ( CAU) . 3 3rd instar larvae preserved in 95% ethyl alcohol and 2 3rd instar larvae still rearing, CHINA: Sichuan, Aba , Lixian County, Bipenggou [Ẹȇŝ], 2200–2500 m, Yuchen Zheng ( CAU) .

Distribution. China (Gansu, Sichuan).

Biology. The larvae of E. banksi inhabit rocky platforms with deep thick sand, completely hidden themselves into the thick sand, ambushing preys. The habitat of this species is relatively restricted, occurring only in the microhabitat of the Longmenshan geological fault zone ( Fig. 41 ).

Remarks. This species is similar to E. ningshana , but E. banksi can be distinguished from the latter by the dark line on pronotal pale yellowish-brown part shorter, the male abdominal terga 3–4 mostly pale yellow, the male tergum 5 medially with an indistinct brownish marking, the external margin of male internal gonocoxites 9 rounded, the angle of male internal gonocoxites 9 larger in ventral view, the female posterior goncoxites 8 short digitiform and concave internally, the female gonapophyses 8 slender ribbon-shaped and internally sharp, and the larval mandibular teeth and mesothoracic setiferous processes longer. In E. ningshana , the dark line on the pronotal pale yellowish-brown part is longer, the male abdominal tergum 3 has two pair of brown markings, the posterior male abdominal tergum 4 is brown, the male abdominal tergum 5 is generally brown, the external margin of male internal gonocoxites 9 are relatively straight, the angle of male internal gonocoxites 9 are smaller in ventral view, the female posterior goncoxites 8 are digitiform, the female gonapophyses 8 are wide transversal ribbon-shaped and internally curved, and the larval mandibular teeth and mesothoracic setiferous processes are shorter. Besides, there is geographical isolation between these two species: E. banksi is distributed only in the Qionglai and Minshan mountain ranges, whereas E. ningshana is found in the Qingling and Taihangshan mountain ranges.

Ao et al. (2010) published E. amydrovittata Wan & Wang, 2010 from Minshan mountain ranges with only two female specimens. Based on our comparison, the types of E. amydrovittata differs from the typical E. banksi only in the forewing rhegma, with all other characters being identical. However, E. banksi actually exhibits some variation in its wing markings ( Fig. 42 ). We also examined some specimens of E. banksi with transitional wing markings similar to those of E. amydrovittata at the type locality of the latter. Hence, we treat E. amydrovittata as a junior synonym of E. banksi .

Figures

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 40. Epacanthaclisis banksi Krivokhatsky, 1998, adult, Wenxian (Gansu, 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 41. Living larva and habitat of Epacanthaclisis banksi Krivokhatsky, 1998. A. habitat, Weizhou, Wenchuan (Sichuan); B. microhabitat, with an eaten prey (yellowish arrow, Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Chrysomela vigintipunctata (Scopoli, 1763)); C. living larva; D. The collecting locality, Weizhou, Wenchuan (Sichuan). Red arrows indicate the positions where the larvae were collected. (Photos by Yuchen Zheng)

FIGURE 42. Epacanthaclisis banksi Krivokhatsky, 1998, 3rd larva, Wenchuan (Sichuan, China). A. Dorsal view; B. ventral view; C. lateral view.

FIGURE 43. A. Holotype female of Epacanthaclisis amydrovittata Wan & Wang, 2010, a junior synonym of E. banksi, habitus, Diebu (Gansu); B. holotype female of E. amydrovittata, head and thorax, dorsal view; C. E. banksi Krivokhatsky, 1998, male, Wenxian (Gansu), head and thorax, dorsal 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.