Myrmeleon punicanus n. sp., a new pit-building antlion (Neuroptera Myrmeleontidae) from Sicily and Pantelleria

A new species of antlion, Myrmeleon punicanus n. sp. (Neuroptera Myrmeleontidae), is described from Sicily and Pantelleria. The new taxon belongs to the formicarius-group thanks to the absence of pilula axillaris in the male hind wings, the characteristics of the male genitalia and the ecological traits. Moreover, the validity of the new species is confirmed by a DNA based phylogenetic reconstruction in which it is compared with closely related taxa. A preliminary description of the third instar larva of M. punicanus n. sp. is also given. Its habitat is the Mediterranean shrub land in which the larvae build pit-traps near shelters. Due to its ecological requirements a possible endangered status cannot be ruled out because of the anthropogenic habitat fragmentation.