Subclass Pterygota:
Pterous (winged) insects, develop by metamorphosis
Division Endopterygota
(endo = inner; pteron = wing)
Neuropteroid orders
(neuron = nerve; pteron = wing)
Order Neuroptera
(neuron = nerve; pteron = wing)
COMMON NAMES: Lacewings, mantispids, antlions
QUICK DESCRIPTION: Lacewings have slender, oval bodies, four "lacy" wings with many veins, large eyes, long antennae and chewing mouthparts. The larvae hatch from eggs, feed on other insects and plants, and spin themselves a silk cocoon where they wait as pupae to develop into adults.
MINUTE DETAILS: Minute to large soft-bodied insects; head with chewing mouthparts, long multisegmented antennae, and well-developed compound eyes; two pairs of identical wings present, most species with primitive venation and veins bifurcated at wing margins; abdomen ten-segmented, cerci absent.
Larvae of most species terrestrial with suctorial mouthparts. Pupae enclosed in a cocoon.
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