Neuroptera is an order of insects that includes lacewings, antlions, and dobsonflies. The order is divided into two suborders - Planipennia which includes lacewings and antlions, and Megaloptera which includes dobsonflies and snakeflies. Neuroptera have four membranous wings with extensive branching veins, are soft-bodied, and have mandibulate mouthparts. Both the larvae and adults are predominantly predatory, with larvae of some families being important predators of agricultural pests. Some key families include green lacewings, brown lacewings, antlions, dobsonflies, and snakeflies.

1. An Assignment for
Partial Fulfilment
Of
ENT-504
(CLASSIFICATION OF INSECTS)
On
NEUROPTERA
Prepared by:
Mayank V. Patel
(2nd
sem.)
Reg. No. 04-1904-2012
Submitted to:
Dr. D. M. Korat
Assistant Director of Research
AAU, ANAND

2. Neuroptera
The name Neuroptera is derived from the Greek word"neuron" meaning sinew
and "ptera" meaning wings. The modern English translation "nerve-wings" is
appropriate because it alludes to the extensive branching found in the wing veins of
most Neuroptera.
Scientific classification :-
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Arthropoda
Class Insecta
Subclass Pterygota
Infraclass Neoptera
Superorder Endopterygota
Order Neuroptera
Suborder Planipennia, Megaloptera
Example
Lacewing, Dobsonfly,
Ant lion

3. Classification
• Holometabola
– complete development (egg, larva, pupa, adult)
• Neuroptera is divided into two suborders:
– Planipennia (antlions, lacewings and their relatives)
– Megaloptera (alderflies and dobsonflies)Raphidiodea (snakeflies)
• In adults, the suborders are distinguished by the shape of the wings and the
length of the prothorax.
• In larvae, the suborders are separated by habitat and characteristics of the
mouthparts.
Morphological characteristics
 Four membranous wings with many cross
veins and extra branches of the
longitudinal veins.
 Fore and hind wings similar in shape and
venation. Held roof-like over the body at
rest.
 Soft-bodied
 Mouthparts mandibulate
 Antennae long and many segmented
Biological summary for the order
Life history
• Eggs -
– Sialidae - laid in even rows of 300-
900 in compact masses on
substrates overhanging aquatic
habitat.

4. – Rhaphidiidae - eggs laid under bark and hidden areas.
– Sisyridae - masses of 2-5 oval whitish to yellow eggs are covered with a
web of white silk.
– Laid singly or in clusters at the end of
silken threads in many families.
• Larvae -
– Megaloptera
• Aquatic
• Many instars with 1-5 years to develop. Late stage larvae
abundant in late winter or early spring.
– Raphidiodea
> Live under bark of trees and in soil.
> Semi voltine with 10-11 instars.
> Overwintering occurs in larval stage and
occasionally in pupal stage.
– Planipennia
• Terrestrial
• Usually 3 larval instars
• Overwinter in all stages except eggs.
• Pupae
– Often form a silken cocoon to pupate or pupal
cells in soil or organic material.
– Some pupae are able to move about prior to
ecdysis.

5. Adult
– Antennae filiform,
multisegmented
– Chewing mouthparts
– Fore and hind wing
membranous, similar in size
– Extensive branching of
venation in all wings; crossveins abundant especially along leading edge
(costal margin)
Habitat
• Aquatic species live adjacent to water. Sialidae adults are found on shore plants
beside slowly flowing water near their larval habitat.
• Terrestrial species variable living on plants and stalking prey or under bark.
Habits (mode of existence)
• Most are predaceous as adults and larvae in aquatic and terrestrial habitats.
• Some do not feed.
Economic Importance
• Larvae of Megaloptera are important predators in aquatic ecosystems. They
also serve as food for fish and other aquatic vertebrates.
• Lacewing larvae are beneficial as predators of agricultural pests (aphids,
whiteflies and scale insects).
• Some species are reared and sold commercially as biocontrol agents.

6. Important families with suborders
 Planipennia :-
– Chrysopidae -- Green lacewings
– Hemerobiidae -- Brown lacewings
– Myrmeleontidae -- Ant lions
– Sisyridae -- Spongeflies
– Mantispidae – Mantidflies
– Ascalaphidae -- Owlflies
 Megaloptera :-
– Corydalidae -- Dobsonflies
– Sialidae -- Alderflies
– Raphidiidae -- Snakeflies
Chrysopidae
• E.g. Green lacewing (Chrysoperla spp.)
• Most larvae are active predators and have
modified jaws, which they use to catch
small insects and suck out their insides.
(Suctorial type mouth part)
Hemerobiidae
• These insects differ from the somewhat
similar Chrysopidae(green lacewings) not
only by the usual colouring but by the wing
venation: hemerobiids having numerous
long veins lacking in chrysopids.
• Some of the costal cross veins are forked,
unlike in green lacewings.

7. • Hemerobiid larvae are usually less hairy than chrysopid larvae
• Adults & Larvae both are predaceous
Myrmeleontidae
• E.g. Ant lion (Distoleon tetragrammicus)
• Ant lions are weak fliers as adults.
• The pits are dug in loose sand and as there
name suggests there main food items are
often ants.
• The larvae will interfere with any ant that
looks like it might be getting out of the pit by
flicking grains of sand at it to make it loose
its footing and thus fall into the waiting
larvae's jaws.
• There are about 2,000 species of ant lions in the world.
Mantispidae
• E. g. Mantispa sp.
• Mantidflies often referred to as Mantispids
possess raptorial forelegs much like those of
the similarly named praying mantids which
they use in the same way.
• The males use pheromones instead of sound to
attract females. During courtship the male raises his forelegs in the air while
raising and lowering his wings.
• The eggs like those of the Green Lacewings are laid at the end of a thin stalk.
The eggs soon hatch and immediately enter a state of diapause.
Corydalidae
• E.g. Dobsonfly (Corydalus cornutus)
• Wingspans can be twice as long as their body length.
• Dobsonflies spend most of their life in the larval stage,
during which they are called hellgrammites.

8. • Hellgrammites live under rocks at the bottoms of
lakes, streams and rivers, and prey on other insect
larvae with the short sharp pincers on their heads, with
which they can also inflict painful bites on humans.
The larvae reach up to 2" to 3" in length, with gills all
along the sides of their segmented bodies that allow
them to breathe underwater.
• Their gills, primitive nervous systems, and hard, segmented bodies means
hellgrammites can survive for long periods underwater.
Sialidae
• E.g. Alderfly (Sialis lutaria)
• They lack ocelli and their fourth tarsal segment is
deeply bilobed.
• Dead alderfly larvae are used as bait in fishing.
Raphidiidae
• E.g. Snakeflies (Raphidia notata)
• Long-necked predators of small arthropods
• Adult snakeflies are characterized by having an elongate
prothorax but no modification of the forelegs. They have
strong and relatively unspecialised mouthparts, and large
compound eyes.
• The females typically have a long ovipositor, which they
use to deposit their eggs into crevices in bark or rotting
wood. The wings are similar in size, with a primitive
venation pattern, and a thickened costal margin.
• The larvae have large heads with projecting mandibles.
The head and the first segment of the thorax are
sclerotised, but the rest of the body is soft and fleshy.
• They have three pairs of true legs, but no prolegs.

9. • However, they do possess an adhesive organ on the abdomen, with which they
can fasten themselves to vertical surfaces.
• The larvae can take up to two years to develop.
Difference between Brown Lacewing & Green Lacewing
Brown Lacewing Green Lacewing
E.g. Hemerobius stigma E.g. Chrysoperla carnea Stephens
Wings are brown in colour Wings are green in colour
Adults & Larvae both are predaceous Only Larval stage is predaceous
Presence of hook on backside of larvae Absence of hook