Lacewings Antlions and Relatives: Neuroptera

Physical characteristics: The mantid lacewing is a medium-size lacewing. The body is robust with narrow wings that are darkened along their leading edges. This species is wasplike in appearance and is brightly marked with black, yellow, and orange. The front legs are used for grasping insect prey. The larvae are unknown.

Geographic range: The species is found in Queensland, Australia, and in Papua, New Guinea.

Habitat: This species lives in forested areas.

Diet: Adults eat any insects they can catch. The larvae probably eat spider eggs of a particular spider or group of closely related spider species.

This species is wasplike in appearance and is brightly marked with black, yellow, and orange. The front legs are used for grasping insect prey. (Illustration by Barbara Duperron. Reproduced by permission.)

Behavior and reproduction: Adults protect themselves by looking and behaving like paper wasps. Nothing is known about their reproductive behavior.

Mantid lacewings and people: This species does not impact people or their activities.

Conservation status: This species is not listed as endangered or threatened. ∎