The insect order Neuroptera, or net-winged insects, includes the lacewings, mantidflies, antlions, and their relatives (the group that was once known as the Planipennia). The order contains some 4000 species. Traditionally, the order also included alderflies, fishflies, dobsonflies, and snakeflies, but these are now generally considered to be separate orders (the Megaloptera and Raphidioptera). Sometimes the name Neuropterida is used to refer to these three orders as a group.

The adults of this order possess four membranous wings, with the forewings and hindwings about the same size, and with many veins. They have chewing mouthparts, and undergo complete metamorphosis. Most are predatory, but a few exceptions occur.

Taxonomy

---

• • Superfamily Coniopterygoidea
    • Family Coniopterygidae: dustywings
  • Superfamily Ithonioidea
    • Family Ithonidae: moth lacewings
  • Superfamily Hemerobioidea
    • Family Chrysopidae: green lacewings, stinkflies
    • Family Dilaridae: pleasing lacewings
    • Family Hemerobiidae: brown lacewings
    • Family Polystoechotidae: giant Lacewings
    • Family Psychopsidae
  • Superfamily Osmyloidea
    • Family Osmylidae
    • Family Neurorthidae
    • Family Sisyridae: spongillaflies
  • Superfamily Mantispoidea
    • Family Berothidae: beaded lacewings
    • Family Mantispidae: mantidflies
  • Superfamily Myrmeleontoidea
    • Family Ascalaphidae: ascalaphids, owlflies
    • Family Myrmeleontidae: ant-lions
    • Family Nemopteridae: spoonwings
    • Family Nymphidae

More on [ Neuroptera ]

PLoS Medicine: New Articles

Why Current Publication Practices May Distort Science
John Ioannidis and colleagues argue that the current system of publication in biomedical research provides a distorted view of the reality of scientific data.
Faecal and Urinary Incontinence after Multimodality Treatment of Rectal Cancer
Marilyne Lange and Cornelis van de Velde discuss the differential diagnosis and management of incontinence after rectal cancer treatment.
SLC2A9 Is a High-Capacity Urate Transporter in Humans
Mark Caulfield and colleagues show that the SLC2A9 gene, which encodes a facilitative glucose transporter, is also a high-capacity urate transporter.

EurekAlert! - Biology

Take advantage of reduced pre-registration rates for the IOF World Congress on Osteoporosis
Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0400
(International Osteoporosis Foundation) Convenient online registration to the IOF World Congress on Osteoporosis 2008, at greatly discounted rates, is available only until Oct. 31, 2008.
The beat goes on: Artificial heart technology holds promise for alternatives
Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0400
(University of Houston) There soon may be more options for those needing a heart transplant thanks to a new device being developed by the Texas Heart Institute and University of Houston that emulates how the natural heart responds to physiological conditions within the body. Existing devices mimic the pulsating pump action of the natural heart. This proposed total artificial heart replaces the pulsatile feature with two pulseless continuous flow pumps, each about the size of a C battery.
Saving Sumatra: Indonesia reaches historic agreement
Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0400
(World Wildlife Fund) The Indonesian government and World Wildlife Fund today announced a bold commitment to protect the remaining forests and critical ecosystems of Sumatra, an Indonesian island that holds some of the world's most diverse -- and endangered -- forests. The historic agreement represents the first-ever island-wide commitment to protect Sumatra's stunning biodiversity.The commitment has been endorsed by governors of all provinces across Sumatra, the world's sixth-largest island, and was also endorsed by four ministers.

Subscribe to Biology RSS feed