taxonID	type	description	language	source
03DA9D6FFF97FFF392EBD0A0FC98F9AF.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Dorsal side of the head capsule with a deep posterior incision, reaching the middle of the head; antennae thin, longer than the ocular tubercles; ocular tubercles large, wider than long; mandibles equipped with three teeth, the median tooth is the largest and closer to the apical tooth than to the basal tooth; mandibles with interdental pseudo-teeth; labial palpi four-articulated, segments 2 – 4 thin, slightly longer than the basal width of the mandible, last segment swollen; thoracic scolus-like processes cylindrical; mesothorax with two sub-equal pairs of processes; metathorax with a small anterior pair of scolus-like processes followed by a larger posterior pair; first pair of abdominal spiracles placed dorsally; abdomen with eight pairs of dorsal scolus-like processes, ventral series composed by two pairs of scolus-like processes on the first two anterior segments and six pairs of short tuberclelike processes on the following segments; VIII sternite with short odontoid processes bearing dolichasters; IX sternite with two short rastra each bearing three digging setae (Fig. 2 A); body covered by black, bristle-like dolichasters (Fig. 3 A). Examined species. A. festivus Rambur, 1842.	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF97FFF392EBD0A0FC98F9AF.taxon	discussion	Comments. The complex taxonomy of the genus Ascalaphus is unsolved and the correct placement of the Oriental species remains uncertain. In the present sense Ascalaphus comprises over twenty species distributed in the Afrotropical, Western Palaearctic and Oriental regions. A. festivus has been recently reported for the European fauna (Pantaleoni et al. 2013). The larvae of this genus are described here for the first time because the only existing account refers to an Indian species (Ghosh 1913) which probably does not belong to this taxon (New 2003). Michel (2001) described the eggs of an African species.	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF94FFFD92EBD68EFC83FC96.taxon	description	(Figs. 1 B, 2 A, 3 A, 4) The larvae of this species are described here for the first time. A photo of newly hatched 1 st instar larvae appears in U. Aspöck & H. Aspöck (1999).	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF94FFFD92EBD68EFC83FC96.taxon	materials_examined	Examined specimens. Italy. Sardinia, 2 L 3 laboratory-reared from a female collected at Sant’Anna Arresi, Porto Pino, coastal marshes, VII. 2005; 2 L 3 and 1 L 3 laboratory-reared to adult, laboratory-reared from a female collected in the same locality, IX. 2008 (R. A. Pantaleoni, D. Badano & A. Letardi).	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF94FFFD92EBD68EFC83FC96.taxon	description	Description of 3 rd instar larva. Size (based on 4 specimens): BL 14.98 mm; HL 3.07 mm (2.88 – 3.18), HW 3.69 mm (3.51 – 3.79), ML 3.73 mm (3.47 – 3.97), HW / HL 1.20, ML / HL 1.21. Body bicoloured: anterior part of the body whitish with dark markings, posterior half of the abdomen dark brown with white markings, ventral side of the body whitish and mottled with brown; scolus-like processes mostly whitish; dorsal side of the head capsule mainly dark brown with paler areas on the clypeo-labrum and on the posterior half, ventral side brown, mandibles brown, darker apically; legs pale; setae of the body black. Head wider than long, slightly dilated posteriorly and with a deep dorsal posterior depression (Fig. 4 c); ocular tubercles large, wider than long (Fig. 4 b); mandibles straight, longer than the head capsule (Fig. 4 a); interdental pseudo-teeth: (4 – 2) (4 – 2) (0); external margin of the mandible equipped with short setae. Pronotum covered by sparse short setae; mesothoracic spiracles ochre with a darker apex. Abdominal spiracles dark, the first pair positioned on the dorsal side (Fig. 4 d); first pair of abdominal scolus-like processes positioned dorsally, black in colour (Fig. 4 e), contrasting with the white following pairs. Bio-ecology. In Sardinia A. festivus has been exclusively found in coastal salt marshes on back-dunes, living among rushes growing on a humid sandy substratum. In Africa this species is mainly reported from grasslands and similar biotopes. The larval habitat remains to be determined however the larvae probably live among the impenetrable tufts of rushes.	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF94FFFD92EBD68EFC83FC96.taxon	distribution	Distribution. This species has been reported from almost the whole African continent and Middle East, nevertheless it has been often confused with congeners thus a careful revision of the existing records appears necessary to establish its actual distribution.	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF94FFFD92EBD68EFC83FC96.taxon	discussion	Remarks. A. festivus is the only member of the genus whose larva is adequately described. The larva is easily recognizable due to the peculiar bicolour pattern of the body.	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF9AFFFD92EBD385FABFF9BF.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Head capsule one and a half times wider than long; antennae thin, longer than the ocular tubercles; ocular tubercles small, flattened, wider than long and forward directed; opening gap of the jaws larger than 180 °; mandibles closely approximated at the insertion; mandibles narrow, armed with three pairs of teeth and with numerous pseudo-teeth; median tooth larger than the other teeth and closer to the apical tooth; base of the mandible covered with hair-like dolichasters; labial palpi four-articulated, segments 2 – 4 as long as the basal width of the mandible, last segment swollen; thorax provided with elongated and flattened scolus-like processes; mesothorax bearing two pairs of scolus-like processes of which the anterior ones are bent at 90 °; metathorax with an anterior pair of large scolus-like processes and a posterior pair of very short tubercle-like processes; first pair of abdominal spiracles placed on the dorsal side, the following seven pairs on ventral side; abdomen with eight pairs of dorsal scolus-like setiferous processes, ventral series absent except a pair of tubercle-like setiferous processes on the first abdominal segment; VIII sternite without odontoid processes; IX sternite with two short rastra each bearing three digging setae (Fig. 2 C); body thickly covered with short, pale dolichasters (Fig. 3 C); long and thin dolichasters are present on the setiferous processes. Examined species. P. maculatus (Olivier, 1789)	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF9AFFFD92EBD385FABFF9BF.taxon	discussion	Comments. The genus Puer is exclusive of the Western Palaearctic Region, comprising two species: P. maculatus and P. algericus van der Weele, 1909 reported for South-Western Europe, North Africa and Middle East (U. Aspöck & H. Aspöck 1987; H. Aspöck et al. 2001; Badano & Pantaleoni 2012). The larva of this genus was exclusively treated by Hagen (1873) thought the validity of his account was questioned (H. Aspöck et al. 1980).	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF9AFFFF92EBD6FEFA82FC6E.taxon	description	(Figs. 1 C, 2 C, 3 C, 5) Description of Hagen (1873) effectively refers to this peculiar and rare species, despite his identification was mainly based on geographical assumptions thus it was considered doubtful by later authors (H. Aspöck et al. 1980).	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF9AFFFF92EBD6FEFA82FC6E.taxon	materials_examined	Examined specimens. France. Hérault, Argelliers, Les Hauts de Boscorre, holm oak wood on calcareous rocks, VI. 2011 (B. Michel & D. Badano), 2 L 3.	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF9AFFFF92EBD6FEFA82FC6E.taxon	description	Description of 3 rd instar larva. Size (based on 2 specimens): BL 10.43 mm; HL 2.21 mm (2.12 – 2.30), HW 3.24 mm (3.23 – 3.25), ML 2.60 mm (2.59 – 2.62), HW / HL 1.47, ML / HL 1.17. General colouring ochre with grey markings and spots, ventral side noticeably paler, mottled with grey; dorsal side of the head capsule light brown, ventral side of the head light brown with a dark area on the mouthparts, mandibles brown; legs ochre; setae black, most dolichasters grey. Head rectangular, dorsal side with a narrow posterior depression; long setae are present at the base of the forward-placed ocular tubercles (Fig. 5 b); mandibles narrow, close at the base (Fig. 5 c), longer than the head capsule (Fig. 5 a); basal tooth equidistant between the base of the mandible and median tooth; interdental pseudo-teeth (4 – 3) (4 – 3) (0); thin and hair-like dolichasters are present at the base of the mandible; external margin of mandible equipped with short setae, longer toward the base. Pronotum covered with short dolichasters; mesothoracic spiracles black; anterior pair of mesothoracic scoli-like processes very large, bent at 90 ° (Fig. 5 d). First pair of abdominal spiracles dorsally disposed, black in colour (Fig. 5 e); the following seven pairs disposed ventrally; dorsal series of abdominal scolus-like processes positioned on the lower sides of the body, in contact with the substrate (Fig. 5 f). Bio-ecology. P. maculatus is associated with open Mediterranean biotopes with isolated trees or scrubs on extensive barren rocky areas. The investigated site is characterized by thick hedges of holm oaks interspersed with wide surfaces of cracked limestone. The larvae live adhering to the inferior surface of flat stones, normally disposed under larger rocks. The cocoon is spun and fixed in the same condition. The larva is extremely motionless and it is camouflaged by the fine rock dust retained by the dolichasters. The larval and pupal stages were both collected during the first decade of June, just before the known flight period in the area (Michel & Kral 2008).	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF9AFFFF92EBD6FEFA82FC6E.taxon	distribution	Distribution. P. maculatus has been reported for southern France, Iberian Peninsula and Israel.	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF9AFFFF92EBD6FEFA82FC6E.taxon	discussion	Remarks. The larva of P. maculatus, the only member of the genus whose larva is known, is remarkable due to the flattened habitus and peculiar morphology, noticeably differing from the other European Ascalaphidae.	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF98FFFF92EBD3CDFDA5F8C0.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Head capsule rectangular with a shallow posterior depression; antennae thin, as long as the ocular tubercles; ocular tubercles prominent with a distinct apical protuberance; mandibles long and thin with the apical half bent outward, equipped with three relatively small teeth, distance between the base of the mandible and the basal tooth larger than that between the basal and apical teeth; the median tooth is the largest and closer to the apical tooth than to the basal tooth; interdental pseudo-teeth very small; mandible base covered with white dolichasters; labial palpi four-articulated, with segments 2 - 4 as long as the width of the mandible; mesothorax with two pairs of scolus-like processes bent at 90 °; metathorax with a large anterior pair of bent scolus-like processes and a posterior pair of small cylindrical scolus-like processes; first pair of abdominal spiracles placed on the lateral sides; dorsal series of abdominal scolus-like processes prominent, one pair for each segment; ventral series composed by four pair of short scolus-like processes on the anterior four segments and by tubercle-like processes on the following segments, 8 th segment without recognizable processes; VIII sternite with short odontoid processes bearing dolichasters; IX sternite with short rastra each bearing three digging setae (Fig. 2 B); body extensively covered by whitish scale-like dolichasters (Fig. 3 B). Examined species. B. agrionoides (Rambur, 1838), Bubopsis sp. (Libya).	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF98FFFF92EBD3CDFDA5F8C0.taxon	discussion	Comments. The genus Bubopsis comprises at least 8 species distributed in the Mediterranean Basin, Middle East and India. Hagen (1873) described for the first time a larva of this genus as “ Theleproctophylla barbara ” as he identified the specimen only on a geographic basis, ignoring the presence of the genus Bubopsis in Anatolia. His description is accurate enough to assign it to this genus for certain, as also suggested by Escribano (1921). Over a century later, the larva of B. andromache U. Aspöck, H. Aspöck & Hölzel, 1979 was finally described and illustrated by Pieper & Willmann (1980).	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF98FFF992EBD76BFE18FB50.taxon	description	(Figs. 2 B, 3 B, 6) Larva of this species is described here for the first time.	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF98FFF992EBD76BFE18FB50.taxon	materials_examined	Examined specimens. France. Hérault, Argelliers, Les Hauts de Boscorre, holm oak wood on limestones; VI. 2011, (D. Badano & B. Michel) 3 L 3 and 2 L 2 laboratory-reared to L 3; same locality VII. 2011, (D. Badano), 1 L 3 and 1 L 2 laboratory-reared to L 3.	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF98FFF992EBD76BFE18FB50.taxon	description	Description of 3 rd instar larva. Size (based on 7 specimens): BL 13.86 mm; HL 3.09 mm (2.90 – 3.34), HW 3.59 mm (3.32 – 3.82), ML 4.07 mm (3.89 – 4.25), HW / HL 1.32, ML / HL 1.16. General colouring ochre with extensive grey markings and spots, dorsal side of the head capsule grey with ochre markings, ventral side of the head grey, mandibles black; legs dark grey; body extensively covered by white dolichasters. Head wider than long, slightly dilated posteriorly with a deep dorsal posterior depression; ocular tubercles with an apical bulge (Fig. 6 b); clypeo-labrum thickly covered by white dolichasters (Fig. 6 c); mandibles noticeably longer than the head capsule, distal portion bent outward (Fig. 6 a); teeth small, distance between the base of the mandible and the basal tooth larger than that between the teeth; interdental pseudo-teeth: (4 – 2) (5 – 2) (0); base of the mandible covered by white dolichasters; external margin of the mandible covered by short setae. Pronotum thickly covered by white dolichasters; mesothoracic spiracles yellowish; mesothoracic scolus-like processes bent backward; first pair of metathoracic scolus-like processes conspicuous, each process characterized by one anterior and one posterior protrusion (Fig. 6 d); second pair very short, unnoticeable, cylindrical in shape (Fig. 6 e). Abdominal spiracles disposed on the lateral sides, the pair on the 1 st abdominal segment situated slightly above the others; dorsal series of abdominal scolus-like processes conspicuous, each process with one anterior and one posterior protrusions; IX sternite with short rastra, surrounded by black robust setae (Fig. 2 B). Bio-ecology. B. agrionoides is associated with open, rocky Mediterranean biotopes, such as: scrublands, open woods and grasslands with isolated trees. The studied larvae were collected on the soil under large stones in barren calcareous areas surrounded by holm-oak hedges. The larvae are exclusively ambush predators and they camouflages themselves using the rock dust retained by the dolichasters. The development period of this species probably lasts two years, as suggested by the contemporary presence of L 2, L 3 and adults in the same period of the year.	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF98FFF992EBD76BFE18FB50.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Western Mediterranean faunal element reported from southern France, Iberian Peninsula, Morocco and Lampedusa Island (Italy).	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF98FFF992EBD76BFE18FB50.taxon	discussion	Remarks. Larvae of the genus Bubopsis are poorly known. Besides B. agrionoides, only the larvae of B. andromache have been identified, although the existing description (Pieper & Willmann 1980) is not adequate to differentiate the two species.	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF9FFFF892EBD49AFC54F870.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Head capsule not dilated posteriorly, dorsal side with a posterior depression; antennae thin, longer than the ocular tubercles; ocular tubercles cylindrical with a small apical protuberance; mandibles armed with three teeth, the median tooth is the largest and closer to the apical tooth than to basal tooth; mandibles equipped with interdental pseudo-teeth; labial palpi four-articulated, segments 2 - 4 thin, slightly longer than the basal width of the mandible; meso- and metathorax each bearing two sub-equal pairs of cylindrical scolus-like processes; first pair of abdominal spiracles placed on the lateral sides; abdomen with eight pairs of dorsal cylindrical scolus-like processes, ventral series formed by two pairs of scolus-like processes on the first two anterior segments and six pairs of very short tubercle-like processes on the following segments; VIII sternite with short odontoid processes bearing dolichasters; IX sternite with short rastra each bearing four digging setae (Fig. 2 D); body covered with elongated, stick-shaped, dolichasters (Fig. 3 D). Examined species. D. australis (Fabricius, 1787); D. dusmeti Navás, 1914.	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF9FFFF892EBD49AFC54F870.taxon	discussion	Comments. Deleproctophylla is a western Palaearctic genus including 5 species distributed in the Mediterranean basin and Central Asia (H. Aspöck et al. 2001). The only reliable report on the larva of this genus regards D. dusmeti (Escribano 1921), while description of the larva of “ Theleproctophylla barbara ” from Anatolia by Hagen (1873) actually refers to the genus Bubopsis. Remarks. Species delimitation and recognition in the genus Deleproctophylla are extremely complex, especially between the European D. australis and D. dusmeti, showing a considerable overlapping in characters normally considered useful for identification purposes. Similarly the larvae of D. australis and D. dusmeti do not display any valuable diagnostic features and the identification appears exclusively possible by means of their vicariant distribution and bio-molecular analysis (unpublished data).	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF9CFFFB92EBD0A0FEC6FBFF.taxon	description	(Figs. 1 A, 2 D, 3 D, 8) Larva of this species is described here for the first time.	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF9CFFFB92EBD0A0FEC6FBFF.taxon	materials_examined	Examined specimens. Italy. Sardinia, 6 L 3, laboratory-reared from a female collected at Monti (SS), VII. 2010 (D. Badano).	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF9CFFFB92EBD0A0FEC6FBFF.taxon	description	Description of 3 rd instar larva. Size (based on 6 specimens): BL 10.66 mm; HL 2.50 mm (2.24 – 2.72), HW 2.69 mm (2.42 – 2.92), ML 2.98 mm (2.77 – 3.22), HW / HL 1.07, ML / HL 1.19. General colouring pale brown, almost whitish, with brown markings and shades, ventral side of the body whitish with brown markings; dorsal side of the head capsule dark brown with paler markings, ventral side dark brown with paler posterior stripes, mandibles brown; legs brown; setae of the body black. Head quadrate, as wide as long, without a pronounced posterior dilatation (Fig. 8 b), dorso-posterior emargination of the head capsule relatively deep; mandibles longer than the head capsule (Fig. 8 a); interdental pseudo-teeth: (5 – 6) (2 – 3) (1 – 0); external margin of the mandible covered with short setae. Pronotum with a distinct median pale stripe bordered by dark brown areas; mesothoracic spiracles pale brown; anterior pair of mesothoracic scolus-like processes with a ventral dark brown spot at the base (Fig. 8 c). Abdominal spiracles brown, disposed on the lateral sides; dorsal series of scolus-like processes white; VIII sternite with two distinct brown spots on the sides (Fig. 8 d). Bio-ecology. D. australis is strictly associated with arid Mediterranean environments such as grasslands, low scrublands and glades. The habits of the larvae are still poorly known however they clearly live on the soil surface among stones and tufts of plants.	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF9CFFFB92EBD0A0FEC6FBFF.taxon	distribution	Distribution. This species is present in the Apennine Peninsula, Tyrrhenian islands (Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily) and Balkan Peninsula.	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF9CFFFB92EBD0A0FEC6FBFF.taxon	discussion	Remarks. The larva of D. australis is not recognizable from D. dusmeti, sharing the same morphological features, proportions and even the slightest details such as the markings at the base of the first pair of mesothoracic setiferous processes and on the VIII sternite. Larval stages of the other members of the genus are currently unknown.	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF9CFFFB92EBD4BEFE3CF886.taxon	description	(Fig. 9) Navás (1915) attributed a freshly hatched larva, a not diagnostic instar, to this species. Few years later, Escribano (1921) described and illustrated the larva and life-history of this ascalaphid.	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF9CFFFB92EBD4BEFE3CF886.taxon	materials_examined	Examined specimens. France. Hérault, 1 L 3 laboratory-reared from a female collected at Saint Paul et Valmalle, VII. 2011 (D. Badano). Alpes Maritimes, 3 L 3 laboratory-reared from a female collected at Villeneuve Loubet, VII. 2011 (D. Badano).	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF9CFFFB92EBD4BEFE3CF886.taxon	description	Description of 3 rd instar larva. Size (based on 4 specimens): BL 10.42 mm; HL 2.52 mm (2.44 – 2.68), HW 2.83 mm (2.44 – 2.94), ML 3.16 mm (2.96 – 3.34), HW / HL 1.12, ML / HL 1.25. General colouring pale brown with darker shades, ventral side whitish with dark brown markings; head capsule dark brown, dorsal side of the head with paler markings, ventral side dark brown with paler posterior stripes, mandibles brown; legs brown; setae of the body black. Head slightly longer than wide (Fig. 9 b); mandibles longer than the head capsule (Fig. 9 a); interdental spiniform setae: (~ 5) (2 – 3) (1 – 0); external margin of the mandible covered by short setae. Pronotum brown with a pale median stripe; first pair of mesothoracic scolus-like processes with a dark spot at the base (Fig. 9 c). Abdominal spiracles brown; VIII sternite with a pair of lateral brown spots (Fig. 9 d). Bio-ecology. Ecology of this species is similar to the congener D. australis, living in open arid Mediterranean environments with herbaceous vegetation.	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF9CFFFB92EBD4BEFE3CF886.taxon	distribution	Distribution. D. dusmeti is reported from the Iberian Peninsula and southern France.	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF9CFFFB92EBD4BEFE3CF886.taxon	discussion	Remarks. See D. australis.	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF83FFE492EBD0A0FBA3FB3D.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Head capsule dilated posteriorly, dorsal side with a pronounced posterior depression; antennae thin, longer than the ocular tubercles; ocular tubercles cylindrical; mandibles armed with three teeth, the median tooth is the largest and closer to the apical tooth than to basal tooth; mandibles equipped with interdental pseudo-teeth; labial palpi four-articulated, segments 2 - 4 thin, longer than the basal width of the mandible; mesothorax bearing two sub-equal pairs of cylindrical scolus-like processes; metathorax provided with a large anterior pair of scoluslike processes followed by a posterior pair half the size of the previous ones; first pair of abdominal spiracles placed on the lateral sides; abdomen with eight pairs of dorsal cylindrical scolus-like processes, ventral series formed by two pairs of scolus-like processes on the first two anterior segments and very short tubercle-like processes on the following six segments; VIII sternite with short odontoid processes bearing dolichasters; IX sternite with two short rastra each bearing four digging setae (Figs. 1 D, 2 E); body covered with short goblet-shaped dolichasters and stick-shaped ones (Fig. 3 E). Examined species. L. coccajus (Denis et Schiffermüller, 1775), L. latinus (Lefèbvre, 1842), L. longicornis (Linnaeus, 1764), L. macaronius (Scopoli, 1763), L. ictericus (Charpentier, 1825), L. siculus (Angelini, 1827), L. corsicus (Rambur, 1842).	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF83FFE492EBD0A0FBA3FB3D.taxon	discussion	Comments. The genus Libelloides is a characteristic faunal element of the Palaearctic region. Despite the status of some taxa needs to be evaluated, Libelloides includes at least 19 species of which about 12 are present in Europe, mainly in the western Mediterranean area (H. Aspöck et al. 2001). The larval morphology and ecology of this genus are poorly known: the first accurate study on this subject was realized by Brauer (1854) while the genus characters of the larvae were defined by Hagen (1873). Notably only two recent comparative works on this subject exist (Rousset 1973; Pieper & Willmann 1980). The larvae of L. cunii (Selys-Longchamps, 1840), L. lacteus (Brullé, 1832) and L. rhomboideus (Schneider, 1845) are actually known (van der Weele 1909; Navás 1915; Pieper & Willmann 1980) but their descriptions are excessively concise or referring to not diagnostic instars, for this reason adequate comparisons are not normally possible with the exception of L. lacteus, tentatively inserted in the key. Furthermore, Navás (1915) described a larva as L. hispanicus (Rambur, 1842), but this identification appears questionable. Remarks. The larvae of the different species of Libelloides show a noticeable overlapping in the macroscopic characters normally used for identification purposes, such as: chaetotaxy, morphometry and the general pigmentation pattern. The relative difficulty to find the larvae in the field and their camouflaging behaviour make these light differences even more unsuitable. In particular, their camouflage is so effective that the different species are not recognizable if not artificially cleaned making visible the pigmentation pattern.	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF80FFE792EBD0A0FB92FB23.taxon	description	(Fig. 10) The first accounts about the larva of this species are not informative (Hagen 1873) or unreliable (Xambeu 1903; Lacroix 1923), while Eglin (1940) discussed the hatching behaviour of the first instar larvae. Surprisingly the first exhaustive description of the larva of this species, one of the more common and widespread European ascalaphids, was relatively recently realized by Rousset (1973). Finally, a photo of a larva appears in U. Aspöck & H. Aspöck (1999).	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF80FFE792EBD0A0FB92FB23.taxon	materials_examined	Examined specimens. France. Alpes Maritimes, 15 L 3 laboratory-reared from a female collected at Venanson, VI. 2011 (D. Badano). Italy. Liguria, 4 L 3 laboratory-reared from a female collected at Mt. Toraggio (IM), VII. 2010 (D. Badano).	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF80FFE792EBD0A0FB92FB23.taxon	description	Description of 3 rd instar larva. Size (based on 19 specimens): BL 10.53 mm; HL 2.66 mm (2.51 – 2.91), HW 3.10 mm (2.89 – 3.30), ML 3.09 mm (2.87 – 3.29), HW / HL 1.16, ML / HL 1.16. General colouring brown with dark markings and areas, dorsal side with a median paler stripe, ventral side of the body pale, mottled with grey; dorsal side of the head capsule brown with a darker anterior area, ventral side of the head completely brown, mandibles brown; legs with dark brown coxae and pale brown femora, tibiae and tarsi; setae of the body black. Head wider than long, noticeably dilated posteriorly (Fig. 10 b); mandibles longer than the head capsule (Fig. 10 a); interdental pseudo-teeth: (3 – 4) (1 – 3) (0 – 1); external margin of the mandible with short setae reaching the apical tooth, base of the mandible covered by long setae; dorsal and ventral sides of the mandible covered by short and sparsely disposed setae. Pronotum covered by short setae, brown in colour with a pair of darker stripes; mesothoracic spiracles ochre with a dark apex. Abdominal spiracles dark brown; VIII sternite equipped with a pair of brown spots in correspondence of the odontoid processes (Fig. 10 c); IX sternite pale with a dark posterior margin. Bio-ecology. L. coccajus is a common, euryoecious species associated with an ample array of open biotopes from the lowlands to mountains such as: grasslands, glades, low scrublands and sparse woods, being exclusively absent from sites with excessive grazing. The larvae are ambush hunters living on the soil surface, camouflaged among the rocks and the tufts of herbaceous plants. Generally L. coccajus has the earliest flight period, as the first adults emerge in early April.	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF80FFE792EBD0A0FB92FB23.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Widely distributed in western and central Europe (Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Czech Republic).	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF80FFE792EBD0A0FB92FB23.taxon	discussion	Remarks. The larva of L. coccajus lacks noteworthy diagnostic characters, being mostly recognizable due to the dark brown hue of the body and the dilated posterior margins of the head capsule.	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF80FFE092EBD50AFB31FE06.taxon	description	(Fig. 11) Larva of this species is described here for the first time, as the only existing account is a note by Pantaleoni (1991) on the camouflaging behaviour.	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF80FFE092EBD50AFB31FE06.taxon	materials_examined	Examined specimens. Italy. Liguria, 22 L 3 laboratory-reared from a female collected at Pompeiana (IM), VII. 2010 (D. Badano).	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF80FFE092EBD50AFB31FE06.taxon	description	Description of 3 rd instar larva. Size (based on 22 specimens): BL 12.08 mm; HL 2.58 mm (2.37 – 2.73), HW 2.95 mm (2.77 – 3.11), ML 2.77 mm (2.55 – 3.03), HW / HL 1.14, ML / HL 1.07. General colouring grey mottled dark grey, dorsal side of the body with a median paler stripe, ventral side of the body pale with grey spots; dorsal side of the head capsule pale brown with a dark marking on the clypeo-labrum and a median trapezoidal dark marking with a yellowish border disposed at the level of the eye tubercle (Fig. 11 b), dark spots are present at the insertion of the larger dolichasters on the head surface, ventral side of head brown with a darker marking on the mouthparts, mandibles brown; legs with dark brown coxae and pale femora, tibiae and tarsi with a median darker area; setae of the body black. Head wider than long, slightly dilated posteriorly; mandibles slightly longer than the head capsule (Fig. 11 a); interdental pseudo-teeth: (3 – 4) (1 – 3) (0 – 1); external margin of the mandible covered by short setae. Pronotum pale brown with dark brown stripes; mesothoracic spiracles ochre with a dark apex. Abdominal spiracles dark brown; dorsal series of abdominal scolus-like processes with a dark marking at the base of each process (Fig. 11 c); IX sternite pale with dark markings at both the anterior and posterior extremities (Fig. 11 d). Bio-ecology. L. latinus is a lowland and hillside species of open environments, rarely found over 700 m of altitude (Pantaleoni 1990 a, 1990 b). This ascalaphid is typical of open Mediterranean biotopes such as grasslands and scrublands. The larvae are ambush predators living on the soil surface, camouflaging themselves with detritus.	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF80FFE092EBD50AFB31FE06.taxon	distribution	Distribution. This species is an endemism of the Apennine Peninsula, not crossing the Po river and absent from most of northern Italy; there are some reports from neighbouring areas of southern France. The absence of L. latinus in Sicily is particularly noteworthy as this ascalaphid is well known for Aspromonte, the southernmost part of the peninsula.	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF80FFE092EBD50AFB31FE06.taxon	discussion	Remarks. The larva of L. latinus is mainly recognizable thanks to the pigmentation pattern of the head and the characteristic dark spots on the inferior side of the dorsal series of abdominal scolus-like processes.	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF87FFE092EBD213FC1AF9F8.taxon	description	(Figs. 3 E, 12) The first description of the larva of this species was realized by Navás (1915) as the previous accounts were simply brief reports about the discovery of the eggs and 1 st instar larvae (Ragonot 1878; McLachlan 1878) while other old descriptions were inconclusive (Lacroix 1923; Rabaud 1927). Rousset (1973) redescribed the larvae, comparing them with congeners.	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF87FFE092EBD213FC1AF9F8.taxon	materials_examined	Examined specimens. France. Var, 17 L 3 laboratory-reared from a female collected at Mt. Aurelien, VI. 2011 (D. Badano).	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF87FFE092EBD213FC1AF9F8.taxon	description	Description of 3 rd instar larva. Size (based on 17 specimens): BL 11.18 mm; HL 2.63 mm (2.49 – 2.77), HW 3.17 mm (2.91 – 3.42), ML 3.06 mm (2.77 – 3.34), HW / HL 1.20, ML / HL 1.16. General colouring grey with a darker grey pattern, dorsal side with a median paler area, ventral side pale mottled with dark grey; head capsule brown with a darker anterior portion, ventral side of the head brown with a darker area on the mouthparts and with a pair of distinctive longitudinal pale stripes (Fig. 12 c), mandibles dark brown; legs with dark brown coxae and paler femora, tibiae and tarsi; setae of the body black. Head wider than long, noticeably dilated posteriorly (Fig. 12 b); mandibles longer than the head capsule (Fig. 12 a); interdental pseudo-teeth: (3 – 4) (1 – 3) (0 – 1); external margin of the mandible with short setae. Pronotum pale brown with indistinct brown stripes; mesothoracic spiracles ochre with a black apex. Abdominal spiracles dark brown; VIII abdominal sternite pale with the exception of the odontoid processes; IX sternite pale with a dark apex. Bio-ecology. L. longicornis is a common and euryoecious species occurring in open environments such as: grasslands, pastures, glades and scrublands. In Italy this ascalaphid is mainly associated with mountainous biotopes and reports from lowlands are mainly attributable to stranded individuals (Pantaleoni 1990 a, 1990 b), while in southern France this species shows a remarkably wider altitudinal range and it is common in Mediterranean environments (Puisségur 1967; Badano pers. obs.). The larvae are ambush predators living on the soil surface.	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF87FFE092EBD213FC1AF9F8.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Reported from Portugal, Spain, France, Switzerland, Italy and Germany.	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF87FFE092EBD213FC1AF9F8.taxon	discussion	Remarks. The larvae of L. longicornis are easily recognizable, with the exception of the Sicilian endemic L. siculus, thanks to the presence of longitudinal pale stripes running on the ventral side of the head. However L. longicornis and L. siculus are easily set apart for the different body colouring, besides the presence of L. longicornis in Sicily is unproven and unlikely ([Bernardi] Iori et al. 1995).	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF87FFED92EBD6B3FD3FFCC9.taxon	description	(Figs. 2 E, 13) Brauer (1854, 1855) deeply treated the larval morphology and life history of this species, representing the first accurate account regarding an ascalaphid larva. Later descriptions of the larva were realized by Hagen (1873) and Pieper and Willmann (1980). A photo of a larva is shown in U. Aspöck & H. Aspöck (1999).	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF87FFED92EBD6B3FD3FFCC9.taxon	materials_examined	Examined specimens. Italy. Friuli Venezia Giulia, 3 L 3 laboratory-reared from a female collected at Trieste (TS), VI. 2010 (L. Morin).	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF87FFED92EBD6B3FD3FFCC9.taxon	description	Description of 3 rd instar larva. Size (based on 3 specimens): BL 11.81 mm; HL 2.43 mm (2.38 – 2.49), HW 2.81 mm (2.77 – 2.86), ML 2.77 mm (2.63 – 2.90), HW / HL 1.15, ML / HL 1.14. General colouring pale brown with dark areas and markings, dorsal side with a median paler stripe, ventral side pale mottled with dark grey; head capsule dark brown, anterior portion darker, ventral side of the head dark brown, mandibles dark brown; legs with dark brown coxae and lighter femora, tibiae and tarsi. Head wider than long, slightly dilated posteriorly; mandible longer than the head capsule (Fig. 13 a) interdental mandibular pseudo-teeth (4 – 5) (3 – 4) (0 – 1) (Fig. 13 b); external margin of the mandible covered by short setae. Pronotum brown with darker stripes and covered with short setae; mesothoracic spiracles brownish with black apex. Abdominal spiracles dark brown; VIII sternite with brown spots on the odontoid processes; IX sternite with longitudinal brown markings and a dark apex (Fig 2 E). Bio-ecology. L. macaronius is a widespread, euryoecious species occurring in open habitats with herbaceous vegetation from the sea level to the mountains. This ascalaphid is a typical species of steppes and similar biotopes, explaining its wide distribution in Central Asia. The larvae live on the soil in the same environments inhabited by the adults.	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF87FFED92EBD6B3FD3FFCC9.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Widely distributed in central and eastern Europe and Asia, from easternmost part of northern Italy (surroundings of Trieste) eastward to western China.	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF87FFED92EBD6B3FD3FFCC9.taxon	discussion	Remarks. The larva of L. macaronius disposes on average of a greater number of pseudo-teeth (3 – 4) between the basal and median mandibular teeth than congeners.	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF8AFFED92EBD363FE6FF8CD.taxon	description	(Fig. 14) As for other congeners, the first exhaustive description of the larvae of this species was realized by Rousset (1973) while older accounts are doubtful (Xambeu 1903; Lacroix 1923).	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF8AFFED92EBD363FE6FF8CD.taxon	materials_examined	Examined specimens. France. Hérault, 28 L 3 laboratory-reared from a female collected at Saint Paul et Valmalle, VI. 2011 (D. Badano).	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF8AFFED92EBD363FE6FF8CD.taxon	description	Description of 3 rd instar larva. Size (based on 28 specimens): BL 10.60 mm; HL 2.36 mm (2.15 – 2.56), HW 2.67 mm (2.38 – 2.95), ML 2.61 mm (2.42 – 2.94), HW / HL 1.13, ML / HL 1.10. General colouring greyish ochre mottled with brown, dorsal side with a median paler stripe, ventral side of the body pale mottled with grey; dorsal side of the head capsule dark brown, darker anteriorly and with paler areas on the sides, ventral side of the head brown with a darker anterior area on the mouthparts and with a pale marking on the labium, mandibles brown with paler teeth; legs with dark brown coxae and paler femora, tibiae and tarsi; setae of the body black. Head wider than long, dilated posteriorly; mandibles longer than the head capsule (Fig. 14 a); interdental pseudo-teeth: (4 – 5) (2 – 3) (1) (Fig. 14 b); external margin of the mandible with short setae. Pronotum brown with darker stripes; mesothoracic spiracles ochre with a dark apex. Abdominal spiracles dark brown; IX sternite completely pale without markings (Fig. 14 c). Bio-ecology. L. ictericus occurs in open arid environments with herbaceous vegetation. In southern France this ascalaphid is a typical lowland species, while in North Africa it can attain mountainous altitudes (H. Aspöck et al. 1980). The larvae live on the soil surface, hiding among herbs and rocks.	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF8AFFED92EBD363FE6FF8CD.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Western Mediterranean faunal element known for North Africa, Iberian Peninsula and southern France.	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF8AFFED92EBD363FE6FF8CD.taxon	discussion	Remarks. The larvae of L. ictericus differ from the other Libelloides species for the completely pale IX abdominal sternite. Moreover, most of the specimens of L. ictericus have 1 pseudo-tooth between the median and apical teeth in both mandibles while the frequency of this bristle in the other Libelloides species is significantly lower in both mandibles.	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF88FFEF92EBD0A0FA4BFC27.taxon	description	(Fig. 15) The larvae of this Tyrrhenian endemic species are described here for the first time.	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF88FFEF92EBD0A0FA4BFC27.taxon	materials_examined	Examined specimens. Italy. Sardinia, 6 L 3 laboratory-reared from a female collected at Mt. Doglia, Alghero (SS), VI. 2010 (D. Badano); 2 L 3 laboratory-reared from a female collected at Berchidda (SS), VI. 2010 (D. Badano); Berchidda (SS), open cork oak wood, pitfall trap, VI. 2010 (M. Verdinelli & S. Cossu), 2 L 1.	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF88FFEF92EBD0A0FA4BFC27.taxon	description	Description of 3 rd instar larva. Size (based on 8 specimens): BL 8.86 mm; HL 1.92 mm (1.81 – 2.06), HW 2.30 mm (2.13 – 2.41), ML 2.10 mm (2.00 – 2.28), HW / HL 1.20, ML / HL 1.09. General colouring dark brown with darker areas and markings, dorsal side with a median paler stripe, ventral side of the body brown with darker areas (Fig. 15 c); dorsal side of the head capsule brown with dark markings on the clypeo-labrum extending on the sides and with dark spots at the base of larger dolichasters (Fig. 15 b), ventral side completely brown, mandibles dark brown with paler teeth; legs with brown coxae and paler femora, tibiae and tarsi; setae of the body black. Head wider than long, slightly dilated posteriorly; mandibles slightly longer than the head capsule (Fig. 15 a); interdental mandibular pseudo-teeth: (~ 5) (2 – 3) (0 – 1); external margin of the mandible covered by short setae. Pronotum brown with dark brown stripes; mesothoracic spiracles ochre with a dark apex. Abdominal spiracles dark brown; IX sternite dark brown. Bio-ecology. L. corsicus is a relatively euryoecious species that is associated with open habitats such as grasslands, meadows, scrublands, glades and open woods from the sea level to the mountains. The larvae live on the soil, camouflaged between stones and tufts of herbs.	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF88FFEF92EBD0A0FA4BFC27.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Tyrrhenian endemism reported from Corse, Capraia, Sardinia and nearby islets.	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF88FFEF92EBD0A0FA4BFC27.taxon	discussion	Remarks. L. corsicus is the only species of the genus Libelloides in its Tyrrhenian range, making its identification unequivocal. The pigmentation pattern of the larvae clearly differentiates it from the closely related but allopatric L. ictericus and L. siculus. Finally, the larvae of this species are on average smaller than congeners.	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF88FFEF92EBD476FD24F85F.taxon	description	(Figs. 1 D, 16) The larvae of this Sicilian endemic species are described here for the first time.	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF88FFEF92EBD476FD24F85F.taxon	materials_examined	Examined specimens. Italy. Sicily, 19 L 3 laboratory-reared from a female collected in Madonie (PA), VI. 2010 (M. Romano).	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF88FFEF92EBD476FD24F85F.taxon	description	Description of 3 rd instar larva. Size (based on 19 specimens): BL 9.72 mm; HL 2.06 mm (1.87 – 2.22), HW 2.50 mm (2.25 – 2.70), ML 2.37 mm (2.19 – 2.58), HW / HL 1.21, ML / HL 1.15. General colouring greyish ochre thickly mottled with grey, dorsal side with a median paler stripe, ventral side paler, mottled with grey; dorsal side of the head capsule dark brown with conspicuous yellow markings (Fig. 16 b), ventral side dark brown with two pale longitudinal markings (Fig. 16 d), mandibles dark brown; legs with dark brown coxae and yellowish femora, tibiae and tarsi (Fig. 16 e); setae of the body black. Head wider than long, slightly dilated posteriorly; mandibles slightly longer than the head capsule (Fig. 16 a); interdental pseudo-teeth: (~ 4) (~ 2) (0 – 1); external margin of the mandible with short setae. Thorax and its scolus-like processes yellowish, visually distinct from the greyish abdomen (Fig. 16 c); pronotum dark brown with yellow stripes and covered with short setae; mesothoracic spiracles yellow with black apex. Abdominal spiracles dark brown; VIII sternite with brown spots covering the short odontoid processes; IX sternite yellowish (Fig. 1 D). Bio-ecology. This species inhabits open, grassy habitats from the sea-level to the mountains (Madonie, Peloritani, Etna). The larvae are soil dwelling ambush hunters, as the other members of the genus.	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF88FFEF92EBD476FD24F85F.taxon	distribution	Distribution. L. siculus is an endemism of Sicily and nearby islands.	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
03DA9D6FFF88FFEF92EBD476FD24F85F.taxon	discussion	Remarks. The larva of L. siculus is recognizable for the pale longitudinal markings on the ventral side of the head and the yellowish colour of the head markings, thorax and legs. The above mentioned characters also clearly differentiate L. siculus from the closely related but allopatric L. ictericus and L. corsicus. Notably, this species shares its range with only one congener, L. coccajus.	en	Badano, Davide, Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio (2014): The Larvae of European Ascalaphidae (Neuroptera). Zootaxa 3796 (2): 287-319, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3796.2.4
