Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Ululodes quadripunctatus (
Burmeister, 1839). Synonyms:
Ululodes quadrimaculatus
Colobopterus excisus Hagen, listed as a synonym on
this site--thislikely referred to the male, which has excised hind wings
Explanation of Names
Species name quadripunctatus means "four spots".
Size
Body length circa 38 mm, antennae about 25 mm.
Identification
The most widespread owlfly in eastern North America. Characteristic cryptic posture has abdomen pointed outward from the perch, imitating a twig. (Characteristic of all owlflies?) Eyes divided (characteristic of genus,
Ululodes). This species is sexually dimorphic:
- Females have diffuse dark spots near the wing-tips, but variable, sometimes absent or worn off.
- Male has slender abdomen, female plump.
- Male has prominent tuft of black bristles on top of abdomen, near base. These resemble scent scales, or pencils, found in some lepidoptera.
- Hindwings of male are stalked (pedunculate), most visible when wings spread. This character is unique to U. quadrimaculatus. Hindwings of female do not have prominent stalks. See Neuroptera of Florida
- In both sexes, pterosigma is cream colored. It is dark in another widespread species of southeast, U. macleayana.
Habitat
Varied, perhaps near deciduous forests?
Season
Summer, June-August in Piedmont region of North Carolina.
Food
Allegedly predatory on other flying insects.
Life Cycle
Larvae predatory in leaf litter, etc. Adults come to lights in mid-summer. They are allegedly most active at dusk and dawn.
Remarks
Not a lot is known about life history of these strange creatures.
Print References
Salsbury, p. 159, ill. male
(2)
Brimley, pp. 31-32, lists
Ululodes quadripunctata Burmeister (likely refers to the female) for July and August in North Carolina
(3), and
Colobopterus excisus Hagen (likely refers to the male) for June, and July in that state.
Lago and Testa. 1989. Records of owlflies (Neuroptera: Ascalaphidae) from Mississippi, with a key to species. Entomological News. 100(1):11-17. This keys U. quadrimaculatus from U. macleayana.
Internet References
North Carolina State University Entomology Collection lists just this one species in the genus for North Carolina.
Neuroptera of Florida--describes sexual dimorphism in wings of this species.
