Belonopteryx, Gerstaecker, 1863

Tauber, Catherine A., 2021, The New World Belonopterygini (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae): descriptions of a new genus and species from the West Indies and comparisons among the genera, Zootaxa 4975 (3), pp. 509-543 : 533-534

Belonopteryx ( Brooks & Barnard 1990: 165–167, Figs 133–135;

Breitkreuz 2018: 258–262, Fig. 45; here, Fig. 23 ).

A monotypic genus. Size: Body stout, relatively large; wing length 20–22 mm; males and females of similar size. Coloration: Cream with bold reddish-black body markings in longitudinal pattern ( Fig. 23 ); color of antennal flagellum unknown. Wings: Narrow, tapered, acute at tips; ratio of forewing length to width = 5: 1; costal area of forewing without splayed crossveins or dark markings; forewing with im1 cell missing; forewing and hindwing with streak of reddish suffusion surrounding RP, PsM, and outer gradates; veins in reddish patches dark, other veins mostly pale. Tarsal claws: Simple. Abdomen: Setae short, dense. Male: Dorsal apodeme of T9+e short; S8+9 not fused ( Brooks & Barnard 1990), fused ( Breitkreuz 2018); S9 small; microtholi dense on all sternites except S9; gonarcus probably without frontal plate, probably without gonocornua; mediuncus with setae; parameres absent. Female: Praegenitale absent.

In summary, the rarely encountered Belonopteryx is the most distinct of the New World belonopterygine genera. It is recognized by its long, tapered wings, each with streaks of reddish suffusion along the RP and PsM+outer gradates; the lack of an im1 cell in the forewing; and a robust, pale body with longitudinal dorsal markings. Males have very dense microtholi and females are without a praegenitale.

Figures

FIGURE 23. New World Belonopterygini. A–E. Belonopteryx arteriosa Gerstaecker: A. Head, thorax, base of wings, dorsal. B. Bases of forewing, hindwing. C. Forewing and hindwing. Note the reddish suffusion on the RP and M veins. D, E. Head, thorax, base of abdomen, dorsal. F, G. Tarsal claw (dilated) and distal tarsomeres, lateral; F. Vieira leschenaulti Navás; G. Vieira brooksi Tauber. [A–E: Argentina, MACN, photos by G.S. Albuquerque; F: Costa Rica, Cartago, LACM; G: Bolivia, Sara Province, CMNH].