Family NEMOPTERIDAE
Compiler and date details
T.R. New La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
Introduction
Both subfamilies of this unusual group of lacewings occur in Australia: the `threadwings' or Crocinae, with greatly elongated filiform hind wings and larvae often with an elongated neck region, and the `spoonwings' or Nemopterinae, with preapically expanded hind wings and larvae with a short neck.
Larvae are ground dwellers, and differ from those of other myrmeleontoid families by lacking defined mandibular teeth. The Australian species have been appraised by Koch (1967, Nemopterinae) and Mansell (1983, Crocinae).
References
Koch, L.E. 1967. The genus Chasmoptera (Neuroptera: Nemopteridae), with the description of a new species from Western Australia. Proceedings of the Royal Entomological Society of London. Series B 36: 137–146
Mansell, M.W. 1983. A revision of the Australian Crocinae (Neuroptera: Nemopteridae). Australian Journal of Zoology 31: 607–627