Book ZooKeys 674: Revision of the Neotropical Green Lacewing Genus Ungla (Neuroptera, Chrysopidae)

This study revises the taxonomy of Ungla – an obscure but widespread, attractive, and potentially useful Neotropical genus of green lacewings, part of the insect order Neuroptera. Prior to the study, Ungla species were known to occur in a variety of settings – natural, agricultural, and horticultural. However, they could not be identified, and their value as natural enemies of phytophagous pests could not be assessed. The revision here recognizes twenty-five valid Ungla species based on distinctive external features and subtle differences in male abdominal morphology. It assigns five previously misidentified species to Ungla, describes seven new species, and identifies ten new synonymies. It provides keys, detailed descriptions, and images for identifying and classifying all known species in the genus. And, it supplies information on the distribution, biology, and literature of each species. As a result of this work, the genus is now poised for biological investigation and evaluation. The study also illustrates a fascinating geographical pattern of distribution. Ungla species now appear to comprise two geographically distinct groups: one in southern South America (specifically Argentina and Brazil) and the other in more northern areas of Neotropical America (Andean and Caribbean regions, Central America, southern Mexico). No overlap of the distributions is known to occur.

Contents

Introduction   3 Materials and methods   4 Specimens examined   4 Notes of Phillip A. Adams   6 Lectotype designations   6 Measurements, terminology, abbreviations   6 The genus Ungla   9 Current status   9 Taxonomic history   9 Generic characteristics   10 Geographic distribution   11 Classification of Ungla species   12 Systematic treatment of species   13 Part 1. Ungla species from southern Mexico, Central America, and northern South America (Bolivia and northward)   13       Key to adults   13       Ungla adamsi Tauber, sp. n.   15       Ungla banksi Tauber, new replacement name   23       Ungla bolivari (Banks, 1913), comb. n.   30       Ungla curimaguensis Sosa, 2015   36       Ungla demarmelsi Sosa, 2015   42       Ungla diazi Sosa, 2015   48       Ungla favrei (Navas, 1935)   53       Ungla grandispiracula Tauber, sp. n.   61       Ungla laufferi (Navas, 1922)   67       Ungla martinsi Sosa, 2015   76       Ungla mexicana Tauber, sp. n.   82       Ungla nigromaculifrons Sosa, 2015   86       Ungla pallescens Penny, 1998   90       Ungla pennyi Tauber, sp. n.   95       Ungla quchapampa Tauber, sp. n.   101       Ungla siderocephala (Navas, 1933), comb. n.   106       Ungla stangei Tauber, sp. n.   113       Ungla yutajensis Sosa, 2015   119 Part 2. Ungla species from southern South America (Argentina, southern Brazil)   122       Key to adults   122       Ungla annulata Navas, 1914   123       Ungla argentina (Navas, 1911)   132       Ungla chacranella (Banks, 1915), comb. n.   140       Ungla confraterna (Banks, 1913)   153       Ungla elbergi Tauber, sp. n.   165       Ungla ivancruzi Freitas, 2007   171       Ungla steinbachi (Navas, 1925), comb. n.   175Species inquirendae   179 Species incertae sedis (probably Ungla)   184Acknowledgements   185 References   186