Lacewings Antlions and Relatives: Neuroptera - Physical Characteristics, Habitat, Diet, Behavior And Reproduction, Green Lacewing (mallada Albofascialis): Species Accounts - GEOGRAPHIC RANGE, NEUROPTERANS AND PEOPLE, CONSERVATION STATUS

Lacewings Antlions and Relatives: Neuroptera - Physical Characteristics

Adult neuropterans (new-ROP-te-ruhns) are long, slender, soft-bodied insects measuring up to 0.12 to 3.15 inches (3 to 80 millimeters) in length with wingspans up to 5.63 inches (143 millimeters). The head is distinct with well-developed compound eyes, or eyes with multiple lenses. In owlflies, each compound eye is divided into an upper and lower section. Simple eyes, or eyes with only one lens, a…

Lacewings Antlions and Relatives: Neuroptera - Habitat

Lacewings Antlions and Relatives: Neuroptera - Diet

Lacewings Antlions and Relatives: Neuroptera - Behavior And Reproduction

Many adult neuropterans are active at dusk or in the evening and are attracted to lights. During the day they remain inactive and hidden among vegetation. Some species rely on camouflage to avoid detection by predators. Some brown and green lacewings will pretend to be dead when threatened. Others produce a bad odor to discourage predators. Some mantidflies not only mimic the color and appearance …

Lacewings Antlions and Relatives: Neuroptera - Green Lacewing (mallada Albofascialis): Species Accounts

Physical characteristics: This species is one of the small lacewings. The light to dark green body is long and slender, with broad wings. The head and first segment of the thorax have red patches. The face has a distinctive white area above the mouth. The larvae are long and have special hairs on their backs. The hairs are used for holding debris that helps to camouflage the larvae. Geographic ran…

Lacewings Antlions and Relatives: Neuroptera - Moth Lacewing (megalithone Tillyardi): Species Accounts

Physical characteristics: The moth lacewing is a relatively large, robust insect that resembles a moth. The body and wings are dull brown. The body is covered with numerous long hairs. The wings are folded like a roof over the body. The larva are grublike. Geographic range: Moth lacewings are found in Southeastern Queensland and in northern New South Wales, Australia. Habitat: This species is foun…

Lacewings Antlions and Relatives: Neuroptera - Mantid Lacewing (euclimacia Torquata): Species Accounts

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…

Lacewings Antlions and Relatives: Neuroptera - Antlion (myrmeleon Formicarius): Species Accounts

Physical characteristics: Antlions are very long and slender insects. The head and thorax are short and thick, while the abdomen is very long and slender. The body is brown with tan markings. The antennae are thickened, especially at the tips. The wings are long, narrow, and transparent with brown, black, and white spots. The larvae are robust and egg-shaped with large curved jaws. Their body is b…

Lacewings Antlions and Relatives: Neuroptera - Spoonwing Lacewing (nemoptera Sinuata): Species Accounts

Physical characteristics: Spoonwing lacewings are large to medium-size insects measuring approximately .63 inches (16 millimeters) in length, with a wingspan up to 2.16 inches (55 millimeters). The body is long and thick, with relatively broad, rounded forewings. The hind wings are particularly long and slender and are narrower at the base than they are at the tips. The wings are marked with irreg…