Lacewings

Code QH999999

See Key to Families of Australian Aquatic Neuroptera & Megaloptera Larvae

The Neuroptera are holometabolous insects, predominantly terrestrial predators, but some families have aquatic larvae. Larva with elongate stylet-like mandibles and filamentous antennae, paired ventral abdominal gills, without terminal prolegs; pupa with functional mandibles; adults small, soft-bodied with subequal wings lacking anal lobe on hind wing. Eggs of Sisyrids are laid in trees overhanging running water, and hatching larvae drop into water, where they seek out and feed upon sponges by sucking out the living cells; 3 larval instars, with rapid development, may be polyvoltine; pupation in silken cocoon out of water.