The larvae of European Myrmeleontidae (Neuroptera) Author Badano, Davide davide.badano@gmail.com Author Pantaleoni, Roberto Antonio r.pantaleoni@ise.cnr.it text Zootaxa 2014 2014-02-05 3762 1 1 71 journal article 5916 10.11646/zootaxa.3762.1.1 4577eacc-752d-4eb7-bf1b-6585f03d7d6a 1175-5326 4909357 68E063AB-2C09-4FCA-8761-FBC73D562990 Myrmeleon gerlindae Hölzel, 1974 ( Figs. 5B , 6B , 27 ) The larva of this species is described for the first time, as the account by Hölzel (1974) actually refers to Myrmecaelurus trigrammus . Examined specimens. Italy . Liguria , Bordighera ( Imperia ), Monte Nero , scrubland, VIII.2010 ( D. Badano ), 3 L3 . Sardinia , Alghero ( Sassari ), Capocaccia , coastal juniper thicket, VI.2010 , 1 L3 and 1 L3 laboratory-reared to adult ; same locality, V.2012 ( D. Badano ), 11 L3 . Description of 3 rd instar larva. Size (based on 15 specimens ): BL 7.68 mm ; HL 1.85 mm (1.58–2.00), HW 1.60 mm (1.44–1.73), ML 1.77 mm (1.62–1.92), HW/HL 0.86, ML/HL 0.96. General colouring dark brown with darker markings, ventrally paler with large dark areas; dorsal side of the head capsule with a pair of dark markings, lateral side of the head with large dark markings, ventral side of the head with an anterior pair of dark markings surrounding the gula and two median dark spots ( Figs. 5B , 27c ); mandibles pale brown; pro- and mesothoracic pair of legs pale, metathoracic legs with spotted coxae but unmarked femora ( Fig. 27d ); setae of the body black. Head slightly longer then wide; mandibles as long as the head capsule ( Fig. 27a ); interdental mandibular setae: (+6)(2– 3)(2–3)(1), dorsal side of the mandible covered by sparse short setae, ventral side with a sparse covering of short setae external to the maxilla, reaching the basal tooth and few isolated setae (or no one) disposed internal to the maxilla ( Figs. 5B , 27b ). IX abdominal sternite with an anterior row of digging setae composed by 4 setae divided in 2 groups and with two sessile rastra each bearing 4 digging setae ( Figs. 6B , 27e ). Bio-ecology. This poorly known antlion is apparently an ecological vicariant of the closely related M. formicarius , replacing the latter in xeric biotopes. M. gerlindae is associated with arid woods and scrublands. The larvae build their pits in sheltered sites such as at the base of trees, under bushes or rock overhangs. Distribution. M. gerlindae is a typical W-Mediterranean faunal element, reported for Morocco , Iberian Peninsula, southern France , Sardinia and western Liguria (north-west Italy ). Remarks. Mainly recognizable due to the pigmentation of legs.