Myrmeleon mariaemathildae n. sp.: A new Mediterranean pit-building antlion neuropterida myrmeleontidae

A new Mediterranean species of antlion, Myrmeleon mariaemathildae n. sp., is described on material from Sardinia (Italy) and Tunisia. The new species, small in size with a relatively pale habitus, can be distinguished from all the other known species of Myrmeleon in the West Palearctic area on the basis of a set of chromatic characteristics, external morphological features, and the morphology of the internal male genitalia. The characteristics which differentiate it from Myrmeleon inconspicuus Rambur 1842, the only other species with which it could be confused, are discussed in detail. A preliminary description of the third instar larva is also provided. From a bio-ecological point of view, M. mariaemathildae n. sp. is associated with coastal dune environments colonized almost exclusively by grassy vegetation in which the larvae often build their pits close to Ammophila plants. The new species, where present, shows a perfect differentiation of its coastal dune habitat with other species: M. inconspicuus and Myrmeleon hyalinus Olivier 1811 in Sardinia; these and others are being studied in Tunisia.