Neuroptera – Lacewings

The Neuroptera, as a relic order of the Holometabola, comprise about 6000 extant species across 16 families: i.e. Ascalaphidae, Berothidae, Chrysopidae, Coniopterygidae, Dilaridae, Hemerobiidae, Ithonidae, Mantispidae, Myrmeleontidae, Nemopteridae, Nevrorthidae, Nymphidae, Osmylidae, Psychopsidae, Rhachiberothidae, and Sisyridae. Ascalochrysidae are an enigmatic family within Neuroptera, which is close to Mesochrysopidae but showing the superficial myrmeleontoid appearances. The Myrmeleontidae, commonly known as “antlions”, are the most diverse family of Neuroptera, with about 2000 described species worldwide. Nymphidae are generally accepted to be the most basal family in the superfamily of Myrmeleontoidea, and the only myrmeleontoid family known from the Jurassic. Psychopsidae, known as “silky lacewings”, are a small relic family within Neuroptera, comprising 27 extant species in five genera, which are restricted in southern Africa, south-eastern Asia and Australia. Fossil psychopsids are diverse, with more than 40 species described up to date.