Dendroleon
Brauer, 1866
Species Guides
2- Dendroleon obsoletus(Eastern Spotted-winged Antlion)
- Dendroleon speciosus
Dendroleon is a of antlions (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae) comprising more than 20 described . The genus has a broad distribution spanning Europe and Asia, with records from China, Vietnam, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, and other regions. Some species, such as Dendroleon pantherinus, are considered rare and threatened in Europe. The genus exhibits morphological diversity, with species varying in size, wing shape, and abdominal proportions.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Dendroleon: //ˌdɛndroʊˈliːɒn//
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
within Dendroleon are distinguished by wing shape and markings, body size, and male abdominal proportions. For example, Dendroleon falcatus is characterized by significantly larger size, long male , and particular wing shape and markings. Dendroleon longicruris has distinguishing phenological and distribution features that separate it from . Accurate identification requires examination of genitalic and wing venation characters typical of Myrmeleontidae.
Images
Habitat
Ancient xerothermic broadleaf forest; areas with old hollow trees. Dendroleon pantherinus specifically is associated with these forest types, with preservation focused on maintaining old hollow tree .
Distribution
Europe: Czech Republic (southern Moravia, Silesia), Ukraine (Transcarpathia), Switzerland, France, Slovenia, Russia; Asia: China, Vietnam, northern and central Vietnam (D. longicruris). GBIF records also indicate presence in Vermont, USA, though these may represent misidentifications or vagrant occurrences.
Behavior
Dendroleon pantherinus has been observed to exhibit at least partially , with specimens frequently sampled in human dwellings rather than natural forest settings. This suggests flexibility in microhabitat use or attraction to artificial structures.
Human Relevance
Dendroleon pantherinus is recommended for inclusion in the Red Book of Ukraine due to its rarity and threatened status. The is formally protected within the Berehiv Hills Reserve in Ukraine. Preservation efforts focus on maintaining old hollow tree .
Similar Taxa
- Bullanga floridaPreviously misidentified as Dendroleon javanus in China; corrected by taxonomic revision distinguishing the two based on morphological characters.
Sources and further reading
- BugGuide
- Wikipedia
- GBIF taxonomy match
- iNaturalist taxon
- NCBI Taxonomy
- Catalogue of Life
- A new species of Dendroleon Brauer, 1866 (Neuroptera, Myrmeleontidae) from China
- Finds of the ant-lion Dendroleon pantherinus (Fabricius, 1787) (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae) in Transcarpathia
- Distribution of the antlion Dendroleon pantherinus (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae) in the Czech Republic
- Dendroleon longicruris (C.-k. Yang, 1986) - a new record for the Vietnamense antlion fauna (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae)