Clathroneuria
Banks, 1913
Clathroneuria is a of in the , established by Banks in 1913. The genus contains five described distributed in North America. Species were described between 1898 and 1970, with several named by Banks in 1938. Like other antlions, are aerial while are ground-dwelling predators that construct pit traps to capture .
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Clathroneuria: /klæθroʊˈnʊəriə/
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Identification
Distinguished from other by patterns, particularly the arrangement of crossveins forming a clathrate (lattice-like) network in the and subcostal regions, which gives the genus its name. have long, narrow with dense . possess the enlarged, sickle-shaped characteristic of .
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Habitat
Arid and semi-arid regions, including sandy soils suitable for larval pit construction. frequent vegetation in dry, open .
Distribution
North America; occur in western United States. Clathroneuria arapahoe and C. were described from Colorado, C. westcotti from Oregon, and C. coquilletti and C. schwarzi have broader western distributions.
Life Cycle
with , , , and stages. Larvae are . occurs in a silken buried in soil.
Behavior
construct conical pit traps in loose, sandy substrate to capture small . are or , weak fliers often found resting on vegetation during daylight hours.
Ecological Role
function as sit-and-wait in soil , regulating of small . are aerial predators.
Human Relevance
No direct economic significance. Occasionally encountered by and naturalists in sandy . Larval pits may be observed in suitable substrates.
Similar Taxa
- MyrmeleonLarger with broader distribution; Clathroneuria distinguished by more elaborate with clathrate pattern in area
- BrachynemurusAnother with similar form; Clathroneuria differs in details and typically smaller size
More Details
Etymology
name derived from Greek 'clathrus' (lattice, trellis) and 'neuria' (), referring to the distinctive reticulate .
Taxonomic history
Two (C. coquilletti and C. schwarzi) were originally described in other and later transferred to Clathroneuria.