Nemopteridae

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Nemopteridae

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Neuroptera
Suborder: Planipennia
Family: Nemopteridae

Spoonwings or Nemopteridae are a family of neuropteran insects. They are also called Thread-winged Antlions. Their flight is delicate and they have a circling flight to avoid walls when they are trapped indoors. The long streamer is conspicuous when the insects are flying and these are the elongated and spatulate hindwings.

They are found in the Ethiopian, Palearctic, Australasian and Neotropical regions but absent in North America. (A fossil has been found in Colorado)[1]

Male Nemopterids have a bulla on the wing usually along the margin or wing base that is used to disperse pheromone.[1]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia, 2nd edition. Volume 3, Insects, edited by Michael Hutchins, Arthur V. Evans, Rosser W. Garrison, and Neil Schlager. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale Group, 2003.
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