Synonymy
= Balanopteryx lacroixi Navás, 1914
= Balanopteryx incerta Lacroix, 1921
Diagnosis
This is one of the Madagascar species with a long, narrow extension from near the base of the hind margin of the forewing. It looks most like Amoeridops augur, but P. navasi has only a slight indication of a dark line behind the pterostigma and there is a dark line along the leading edge of both wings.
Type Depository
Lectotype female of P. navasi is in NHMW, Vienna.
Type of B. lacroixi is in MNHN, Paris.
Type of B. incerta is in MNHN, Paris.
Type Locality
of P. navasi is Madagascar: Nosy-Bé Island (no date or collector), 1 female.
of B. lacroixi is Madagascr (without further data), 1 female.
of B. incerta is said to be Zaire, but is probably a mislabelled specimen (see Tjeder & Hansson, 1992: 117).
Geographical Distribution
This species is probably endemic to Madagascar (see comments under type locality section). It appears to be found along the east coast and at the northern end of the country.
Temporal Distribution
October to January.
Elevation
120 - 1130 m.
Remarks
This species is slightly sexually dimorphic. Males have a long fringe of hairs along the basal antennal segments.
References
Navás, L. 1914. Neuropteros nuevos de Africa. Memorias de la Real Academia de Ciencias y Artes de Barcelona (3)10:627-653. 15 figures [#1-15].
Tjeder, B. and C. Hansson. 1992. The Ascalaphidae of the Afrotropical Region (Neuroptera). Entomologica scandinavica. Supplement No. 41.
van der Weele, H. W. 1908 [1909.01.05]. Ascalaphiden. Collections Zoologiques du Baron Edm. de Selys Longchamps. Catalogue Systématique et Descriptif 8:1-326. 254 text figures and 2 plates with 30 figures