Lacewings - Order Neuroptera
This page contains pictures and information about Lacewings and Antlions that we found in the Brisbane area, Queensland, Australia.
Lacewings are insects belonged to the Order Neuroptera. Insects in this order have two pairs of transparent wings of about the same size. Although they are not very good flier, their wings are large and membranous, with complex vein pattern. Their bodies are long and soft. They have the biting and chewing mouthparts. They are the predators of other insects. Their size is from very small as 5mm to wings spans as large as 150mm.
Because of they have two pair of lace wings, when they are flying, they may be mistaken as dragonflies. However, their wings fold on their back as a tent-like shape when rest which dragonflies never do. Also they are easily distinguished by their pair of long antenna which all dragonflies have very short antenna.
During summer time, they are sometimes attracted to the houses by window lights.
Lacewings develop in complete metamorphosis, with egg, larvae, pupa and adult states. Most of them lay eggs on leafs or stalks, eggs are either in rows or in 'U' shaped arrangement. Some species their larvae are active predators while some are in parasites forms.
The famous Antlions are in this order. Antlion is the common name given to the larvae of those insects. The larvae build sand traps to trap the ants walk by.
The above pictures show two typical types of Lacewings eggs. Notice that the eggs are laid on thin sticks. Lacewing larvae are active predators. Eggs laid on thin sticks is believed that it helps to prevent cannibalism.
- Body length 5mm
- We found the above Lacewings Larvae hunting the aphids in our backyard in spring. The next picture shows the Lacewing eggs that we found near by.
- Body length 5mm
Although the Lacewings order is not a large order, we can easily find different of species and families in Brisbane. We have listed what we found as below.
Family Mantispidae - Mantid Lacewings- The Mantid Lacewings are sometimes known as Mantis Flies. Their forelegs, head and thorax look like Mantid. They have the typical clear membranous wings. They can be found easily in bush. Sometime the attached to house by window lights. They are active predators, chasing prey with their spiny forelegs.
Family Chrysopidae - Green Lacewings- Those Green Lacewings are common in gardens and bushlands. Their bodies are long and green in colour. Adults have a slow, fluttering flight. They usually feed on nectar. When rest, they like to hide under the bottom side of the leaf. The Green Lacewings lay their eggs in group on leafs. They are commonly seen in garden plants.
Family Nymphidae- They have two pair of transparent wings of about equal size. When flying, may mistaken they are dragonflies. But their wings are fold in tent shape whish is different from dragonflies and damselflies. They can also distinguished by their long antenna.
Family Myrmeleontidae - Antlions- Antlions is the common name given to the larvae of those insects. The adults have shout antenna. The larvae build sand traps to trap the ants walk by. The Antlions sit at the middle of the trap and covered by sands. When an ant walk inside the trap, it flicks more sands to the ant and cause the 'land sliding'. The ant then fall and the Antlions attack the ant by its long jaws.
Family Ascalaphidae - Owl-flies- The Owlfly has the long and clubbed antenna, otherwise it looks like a dragonfly. Adults in this family are from medium to large size. When rest, their abdomen is extended above the stem that they are sitting on while their wings hanging downwards. Adults are predator, hunting insects in flight. Usually they are active during the day.
- Reference and Link:
- 1. Insects of Australia, CSIRO, Division of Entomology, Melbourne University Press, 2nd Edition 1991, pp 525.
- 2. Lacewings - by Charlma Phillips, Forest Health Scientist, Forest Insects, ForestrySA.
