Ripiphorus caboverdianus sp. nov. (Ripiphoridae, Ripiphorinae) from Boavista Island (Cape Verde archipelago) represents the first record of the family Ripiphoridae from the volcanic islands west of Africa and the first record of the genus Ripiphorus on an isolated volcanic archipelago worldwide. Its significance for our understanding of oceanic dispersal abilities of the subfamily Ripiphorinae is discussed. The new species is characterized by milky white elytra, hyaline hind wings and translucent membranous suture between dorsal and ventral surface of the first abdominal segments in both sexes. Female has a slightly curved hind tibia, 2× wider at the apex than at its base, and a slender, parallel-sided first metatarsomere, 5× as long as wide. Morphology of the free-living first instar larva is described; it is very similar to R. smithi Linsley & MacSwain, 1950. Behavioral observations of the adults and the first instar larvae in the type locality are given. Known hosts of the genus Ripiphorus are reviewed; possible host-association and conservation implications for the new species are discussed.