Larval morphology and life history of Ascalaphus dicax Walker, 1853 (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae, Ascalaphinae) Author Gupta, Ankita ICAR-National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources, Post Bag No. 2491, H. A. Farm Post, Bellary Road, Hebbal, Bengaluru, 560 024, Karnataka, Author Badano, Davide Department of Biology and Biotechnology “ Charles Darwin ”, Sapienza University of Rome, text Fragmenta entomologica 2021 2021-03-15 53 1 1 8 http://dx.doi.org/10.13133/2284-4880/480 journal article 10.13133/2284-4880/480 2284-4880 8147940 Ascalaphus Fabricius, 1775 Larval diagnosis (based on A. festivus and A. dicax ). Head capsule cordate, with dorsal depression; antenna thin, longer than ocular tubercle; ocular tubercle large, wider than long; mandible with pseudo-teeth and three teeth, of which the median largest; labial palp three-articulated (excluding premental element); mesothorax with scolus-like processes, metathorax with anterior process tubercle-like and posterior process scolus-like; spiracle of abdominal segment 1 dorsal; abdominal segments 1-8 with dorsal scolus-like processes and ventral processes reduced (except on segments 1 and 2) or entirely absent; sternite 8 with short odontoid processes bearing dolichasters; sternite 9 with short rastra bearing 3-4 digging setae; body dolichasters mostly bristle-like.