Distribution types of Neuroptera: Planipennia in Argentina

Abstract

Ten families of the neuropterous suborder Planipennia are known from Argentina. The subfamily Crocinae of the family Nemopteridae is restricted to Argentina in the Western Hemisphere. Four entomofaunas are recognized on the basis of distribution patterns of the Planipennia. The richest area is the Guiana-brazilian fauna with about 75 % of the known Argentine genera. However this tropical area is relatively poor when compared to Paraguay or Brazil. No endemic genera are known and nearly all of the genera are widespread. The subandean entomofauna is of considerable interest containing about 36 % of the Argentine genera with a high degree of generic endemism (about 31 %). Endemic genera are found in the families Nemopteridae (Pastroinaia, Veurise), Berothidae (Naizema), Chrysopidae (Ungla) and Ascalaphidae (Fillus). The araucarian entomofauna is also high in endemic genera (about 40 %), but low in total number of genera (about 19 %). The patagonian fauna is poorly known. The few genera from this area are cosmopolitan.