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Antlion

Acanthaclisis occitanica

Photo by Filipa
Published on Project Noah
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38.6969, -9.42045

Field Notes

Description:

I found this amazing crazy-looking creature in a dune beach, in Cascais. It stood very still, camouflaging in the rope and really just posed for the shot. Several times. Only reacted when in shadow, so I'm thinking that those appendices could be photosensitive!

I want to risk that it could be a dragonfly? But I never have seen one like this, and it didn't fly, so I could really see what it looks like fully!

Habitat:

This one was in an sort of arid dune beach.

Species ID Suggestions

Acanthaclisis occitanica

Acanthaclisis occitanica

Reference Link
Maniacval
1

Comments (10)
Ioannis
Yes, definitely not a Neuroleon, I was wrong. But look also at Synclisis baetica here: http://www.insecte.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=61206 According to this discussion: http://www.insecte.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=67494&sid=60a41a3ace9bd4b77d7e1daae5faf4c5 the black line on the thorax is split all the long for Synclisis baetica but only at the back for Acanthaclisis occitanica. Yours black line looks split all along as for S. baetica.
Filipa
Ioannis, looking closely I think it's probably Manval's suggestions, but thank you for the input, and thanks Manval (:
Ioannis
I think it's a Neuroleon, but which one?
mendes.madalena
one of these :) http://naturdata.com/especies-de-portugal
Filipa
Mady it was about 10 cm, really astounding ! Thank you for the kind words staccyh (: Gilma, after researching it I don't think that it is a Dobsonfly, since it appears to be lacking those big appendices, but I think it is an 'Antlion' (once again, thank you so much FaredinAliyevski!). The question is, which species ?
Gilma Jeannette Ospino Ferreira-Norman
That creature is so very interesting, Filipa. When I first looked at it, I thought it was some sort of Dobsonfly!? Looking forward for an ID on this great creature.
staccyh
cool photo's! Haven't ever seen that in my life before either!
FaredinAliyevski
This is a perfectly camouflaged 'Antlion' you can learn more about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antlion

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Portugal's Biodiversity
Mission
Parque Natural de Sintra-Cascais

Tags

Photographed
PublishedAugust 31, 2013

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