268 
Psyche 
[June-September 
in a linear arrangement between the primary and secondary series of 
scoli; the eighth abdominal segment, lacking ventral scoli, bears its 
spiracles beneath the primary scoli. 
Nearly all setae are highly modified (Figs. 1-3). Those clothing 
most of the dorsal and ventral surfaces of the head, body, and scoli 
are very short and flattened into round discs or scales. Large, dorso- 
ventrally flattened dolichasters project from the labral margin and 
fringe the ocular tubercle and each primary and secondary scolus. 
Spoon-shaped dolichasters occur dorsally in a double row down the 
mid-line of the body and in a triple series on each side of the head 
capsule. Long setae of conventional shape are present in small 
numbers on the tips of the first and third scoli of the thorax and 
singly on the tip of each scolus of the ventral abdominal series; the 
last primary scolus also bears a few terminal setae of this type. 
The pigmentation pattern of the specimen is due primarily to the 
scale-like setae that cover nearly all parts of the body. In general the 
insect has a mottled appearance, as though adapted for crypsis in a 
relatively exposed or open microhabitat; however, its true colors are 
of course unknown. The ocular tubercles are conspicuously darker 
and the tips of the scoli lighter than other parts of the larva; 
otherwise, mottling is quite uniform. 
Discussion 
The Ascalaphidae is one of six families in the superfamily 
Myrmeleontoidea, a complex defined by a common larval type 
exhibiting an array of cephalic traits that apparently evolved 
together to provide structural support for the large muscles and 
condyles of the jaw “trap” mechanism (MacLeod, 1964, 1970). In 
contrast to the hemerobiiform larva of other Planipennia, that 
of Myrmeleontoidea (=Infraorder Myrmeleontiformia) displays 
1) maxillary blade lance-like, never as broad as mandible; 2) robust, 
sickle-shaped mandibles; 3) ventral surface of large quadrate head 
convex and heavily sclerotized, with sclerites of maxillae and labium 
confined to medial anterior region; 4) pronounced anteriad migra- 
tion and torsion of the tentorium so that it assumes a dorso-ventral 
orientation connecting the anterior tentorial pits above to the 
)OSterior ones directly below; 5) relatively short antenna with thick 
.cape but filiform distal portion; and 6) two- to four-segmented 
labial palps each arising from the tip of a large, palpimere-like 
structure that actually represents half of the divided prelabium. 
