Neuroptera

Neuroptera is a large order of insects known as net-winged insects.

The name comes from the Ancient Greek words *neûron*, meaning nerve, and *pterón*, meaning wing. This group contains about 6,000 different species. It includes familiar insects like lacewings, antlions, and mantidflies. Neuroptera is part of a larger group called Neuropterida. This group also includes Megaloptera, which are fishflies and dobsonflies, and Raphidioptera, known as snakeflies. These insects are important because they play various roles in different ecosystems.

Adult neuropterans have a specific body structure. They possess four membranous wings that are usually similar in size and shape. These wings feature a complex pattern of veins that look like a net. Most adults have large lateral compound eyes on the sides of their heads. They also have chewing mouthparts, which are mandibles used for eating. Some species have special sense organs in their wings. Others have bristles that help link their wings together during flight.

The life cycle of these insects involves complete metamorphosis. This means they change through distinct stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult.

The larval stage is often very different from the adult. Most larvae are specialized predators. They have elongated mandibles designed for piercing and sucking their prey. Their bodies usually have three pairs of thoracic legs. Each leg ends in two claws. Some larvae even use adhesive discs on their abdomen to help them move.

Larvae use different strategies to survive and hunt. Many species, such as certain green lacewings, eat aphids and other pests. Some larvae cover themselves in debris, like dead insects, to use as camouflage.

Antlions take this to an extreme by burying themselves in sand pits. They wait in these pits to ambush prey. Other larvae have very different lives. Some live in water and eat freshwater sponges. Others are root feeders. To prepare for the next stage, larvae spin silk cocoons. They use Malpighian tubules to produce this silk. In some families, a special part called a spinneret helps build the cocoon.

The history of Neuroptera stretches back millions of years. They first appeared during the Permian period. Fossils found in the Tunguska basin in Siberia and in Australia prove this.

During the Mesozoic era, they continued to diversify. The extinct family Kalligrammatidae is a famous example. These insects lived from the Jurassic to the Cretaceous period. They had large, patterned wings and are often called "the butterflies of the Jurassic."

After the Cretaceous period ended, the diversity of these insects seemed to decline.

Scientists study the relationships between these different insect groups using molecular analysis. In 2018, researchers used mitochondrial rRNA and mitogenomic data to study their evolution. These studies help place families like Megaloptera and Raphidioptera in a family tree.

The fossil record is also vital for understanding this history. For example, fossils found in Baltic amber show ancient osmylids. Other fossils in Burmese amber help scientists date when certain groups began to spread. This work helps us understand how the entire order of Neuroptera evolved over time.

Humans interact with Neuroptera in several surprising ways. Some species are used for biological control. This means using helpful insects to manage pest populations in crops.

Interestingly, humans also eat some of these insects. Five species of Neuroptera are among the 1,681 insect species eaten by humans globally. In the New Guinea Highlands, people eat insects including Neuroptera. They claim that eating them helps maintain muscular build and great stamina. Even though they are small, these net-winged insects are connected to many parts of our world.