Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Nallachius americanus (
McLachlan, 1881). Synonyms:
Dilar americana McLachlan, 1881
Numbers
1 of 2 species in this genus in North America listed at
nearctica.com
apparently uncommon to rare; not often seen or collected
Size
wingspan about 8 mm, based on measurement of
this specimen by Jim Barrett
another specimen measured
here had 7 mm wingspan, 3 mm body length
Identification
Adults resemble small brown moths: wings rounded, hairy, transparent except for dark veins and many light brown spots, a number of which coalesce to form irregular bands across the wing; male antennae
pectinate; female
ovipositor long, recurved over abdomen
"This insect is a very weak flyer, moving its wings in slow, floppy butterfly manner." [comment by Jim Barrett taken from
this page]
Wing venation of Nallachius americanus:
Larvae are very elongate, and live under bark.
Range
eastern United States: Maryland and Virginia to Florida, west to Texas, north to Michigan
Habitat
larvae live under bark of trees
adults are attracted to light
Season
adults from May to at least July
Food
larvae are presumed to feed on beetles under bark
Remarks
page creation based on Doug Yanega's identification of
this photo
the holotype is a female collected in Bee Spring, Kentucky in June, 1874
See Also
adults look similar to some small brown geometrid moths but the "ground color" of the wings is transparent
Print References
Marshall, p. 249, p. 255--photo of specimen--male
(2)
F. M. Carpenter. Taxonomic Notes on the Dilaridae (Neuroptera). Psyche 54:100-109, 1947. Available as
html,
PDF.
Internet References
brief overview including distribution and common name reference (Lionel Stange, Florida State Collection of Arthropods)
presence in Virginia; citation of article by T.P. Kuhar, 1995 (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State U.)
presence in Texas; list (John Oswald, Texas A&M U.)
presence in Indiana; list and status of S2 (Indiana Dept. of Natural Resources)
Contributed by
Robin McLeod on 18 July, 2006 - 11:40am
Additional contributions by
cotinisLast updated 5 July, 2009 - 2:13pm
