[Entomology • 2026] Ancyroleon, Melanobaliga, Orientaleon gen. n., ... • UCE Phylogenomics improves the Classification of the cosmopolitan Pit-building Antlion tribe Myrmeleontini (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae: Myrmeleontinae)

 

Banyaleon Zheng & Liu nom. n., Ancyroleon Zheng & Liu gen. n., 
Baligaptes Zheng & Liu gen. n. Melanobaliga Zheng & Liu gen. n., 
Orientaleon Zheng & Liu gen. n., Sinobaliga Zheng & Liu gen. n., ...

in Zheng, Badano, Machado, Tu, U. Aspöck, H. Aspöck, Nel, Winterton et Liu, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1111/syen.70040

Abstract

Myrmeleontini is a widespread antlion tribe within the lacewing family Myrmeleontidae, well known for its larvae building cone-shaped pits in sandy soil to trap prey. The monophyly of the tribe is well supported, but the monophyly of many genera within the tribe as well as the definition of the genus Myrmeleon Linnaeus has long been questioned. Here, we present a phylogenomic analysis of Myrmeleontini with emphasis on the Eurasian fauna, using ultraconserved elements (UCE) data. Our results recovered Myrmeleon as a diverse grade, with Baliga Navás, Callistoleon Banks, Euroleon Esben-Petersen, Hagenomyia Banks and Megistoleon Navás deeply nested within it. Based on our sampling of type species of many genera (including those synonymized with Myrmeleon) and detailed morphological comparisons, we provide a new phylogeny-based classification of Myrmeleontini. Accordingly, Myrmeleon s. str. only refers to the formerly recognized M. formicarius group from Palaearctic region. The status of 12 genera that were previously considered as junior synonyms of Myrmeleon is restored (i.e., Banyaleon Zheng & Liu nom. n., Bordus Navás stat. rev., Callistoleon Banks stat. rev., Cocius Navás stat. rev., Enza Navás stat. rev., Macroleon Banks stat. rev., Moreyus Navás stat. rev., Morter Navás stat. rev., Neleon Navás stat. rev., Neseurus Navás stat. rev., Myrmeleodes Navás stat. rev. and Tafanerus Navás stat rev.), while Neohornius stat. rev., previously treated as a subgenus of Myrmeleon, is herein elevated to genus. Additionally, based on comprehensive sampling from the Oriental region, five new genera from this region are described, that is, Ancyroleon Zheng & Liu gen. n., Baligaptes Zheng & Liu gen. n. Melanobaliga Zheng & Liu gen. n., Orientaleon Zheng & Liu gen. n. and Sinobaliga Zheng & Liu gen. n.

Keywords: biogeography, classification, lacewing, phylogeny, systematics

Banyaleon Zheng & Liu nom. n., 

Bordus Navás stat. rev., 

Callistoleon Banks stat. rev., 

Cocius Navás stat. rev., 

Enza Navás stat. rev., 

Macroleon Banks stat. rev., 

Moreyus Navás stat. rev., 

Morter Navás stat. rev., 

Neleon Navás stat. rev., 

Neseurus Navás stat. rev., 

Myrmeleodes Navás stat. rev. 

Tafanerus Navás stat rev.

Neohornius stat. rev.

 five new genera:

 Ancyroleon Zheng & Liu gen. n., 

Baligaptes Zheng & Liu gen. n. 

Melanobaliga Zheng & Liu gen. n., 

Orientaleon Zheng & Liu gen. n. 

Sinobaliga Zheng & Liu gen. n.

 

Yuchen Zheng, Davide Badano, Renato Jose Pires Machado, Yuezheng Tu, Ulrike Aspöck, Horst Aspöck, André Nel, Shaun W. Winterton and Xingyue Liu. 2026. UCE Phylogenomics improves the Classification of the cosmopolitan Pit-building Antlion tribe Myrmeleontini (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae: Myrmeleontinae). Systematic Entomology. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/syen.70040 [27 March 2026]

 

[Entomology • 2026] Nipponeurorthus ailao, N. kuanglu, N. pallidipennis, ... • New Species and New Data of the Dragon Lacewing Genus Nipponeurorthus (Neuroptera: Nevrorthidae) from China

A – Nipponeurorthus furcatus Liu, H. Aspöck & U. Aspöck, 2014; B – N. ningboensis sp. nov.;
C – N. qinicus Yang, 1999; D – N. pallidimaculatus sp. nov.
E – type locality of N. kuanglu sp. nov. F – habitat of N. ningboensis sp. nov. in Mt. Longwang.

Li, Zheng, Song & Liu, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.37520/aemnp.2026.002 

Photos: A, B – Yuchen Zheng; C – Rongzhen Xu, D – Zhenhao Ma, E – Yujie Zhao.

 

Abstract

 The genus Nipponeurorthus Nakahara, 1958 is an endemic group of the dragon lacewing family Nevrorthidae, currently comprising 13 species from China and Japan. However, due to their rareness in nature, the species and distribution of Nipponeurorthus from China are still poorly explored. Herein we describe five new species of Nipponeurorthus from the Chinese mainland, i.e., N. ailao sp. nov. (China: Yunnan), N. flavipennis sp. nov. (China: Guangxi), N. kuanglu sp. nov. (China: Jiangxi), N. ningboensis sp. nov. (China: Zhejiang), and N. pallidipennis sp. nov. (China: Jiangsu). We also redescribe N. qinicus Yang, 1999, which has been poorly documented since its original description. A molecular delimitation of the Nipponeurorthus species based on the DNA barcodes was performed. An updated key to the species of Nipponeurorthus is also provided.

Key words: Neuroptera, Osmyloidea, Nevrorthidae, new species, taxonomy, Oriental Region

A–D – living adults of Nipponeurorthus Nakahara, 1958: A – N. furcatus Liu, H. Aspöck & U. Aspöck, 2014; B – N. ningboensis sp. nov.; C – N. qinicus Yang, 1999; D – N. pallidimaculatus sp. nov.
E – type locality of N. kuanglu sp. nov. F – habitat of N. ningboensis sp. nov. in Mt. Longwang.

Photos: A, B – Yuchen Zheng; C – Rongzhen Xu, D – Zhenhao Ma, E – Yujie Zhao.

Nipponeurorthus ailao sp. nov. (China: Yunnan)

 N. flavipennis sp. nov. (China: Guangxi)

 N. kuanglu sp. nov. (China: Jiangxi)

 N. ningboensis sp. nov. (China: Zhejiang)

N. pallidipennis sp. nov. (China: Jiangsu)

Li Zechuan, Zheng Yuchen, Song Zhishun, Liu Xingyue. 2026. New Species and New Data of the Dragon Lacewing Genus Nipponeurorthus (Neuroptera: Nevrorthidae) from China. Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae. 66(1): 13-36. DOI: doi.org/10.37520/aemnp.2026.002 [16th March 2026]

 Researchgate.net/publication/402239563_New_species_of_Nipponeurorthus_from_China

[Entomology • 2025] Layahima qilin, L. pixiu, ... • New Insights into Diversity and Evolution of the Oriental Antlion Genus Layahima Navás, 1912 (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae), with Description of New Species and new larvae from China

Layahima chiangi Banks, 1941; 
[C] Layahima qilin sp. nov., male, holotype, Weixi (Yunnan); [D] L. haohani sp. nov., female, holotype, Puer (Yunnan);
[E] L. pixiu sp. nov., female, holotype, Hutiaoxia (Yunnan); [F] L. zhitengi sp. nov., female, holotype, Fugong (Yunnan).

Zheng, Tu, Badano & Liu, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/asp.83.e145082

Abstract

Layahima Navás, 1912 is the most diverse antlion genus of the tribe Acanthoplectrini (Myrmeleontidae: Dendroleontinae) endemic to the Oriental region, currently comprising 12 species. However, the species diversity of this genus is still far from completely explored, and its larval stage is poorly known. Here, we describe four new species of Layahima, i.e., L. haohani sp. nov., L. qilin sp. nov., L. pixiu sp. nov., and L. zhitengi sp. nov., from Southwest China. Moreover, we describe the larval stages of three Layahima species, i.e., L. chiangi Banks, 1941, L. lhoba Zheng, Badano, Liu, 2023, and L. yangi Wan & Wang, 2006. The precise distribution of L. chiangi, whose type locality was previously unclear, has now been clarified to be exclusively restricted to the Nujiang dry hot river valley around Cawarong, Xizang. The phylogeny of Layahima by adding new species herein reported was inferred based on molecular data. The L. zonata group, once considered monophyletic, was recovered as paraphyletic within Layahima.

Keywords: Myrmeleontoidea, taxonomy, phylogeny, larva, Oriental region

Distribution map of Layahima spp.

Habitus of Layahima spp. from China, adults:
A L. chiangi Banks, 1941, male, Cawarong (Xizang); B L. chiangi, male, holotype (© D. Grimaldi from AMNH);
C L. qilin sp. nov., male, holotype, Weixi (Yunnan); D L. haohani sp. nov., female, holotype, Puer (Yunnan);
E L. pixiu sp. nov., female, holotype, Hutiaoxia (Yunnan); F L. zhitengi sp. nov., female, holotype, Fugong (Yunnan).

Layahima chiangi Banks, 1941, living photos and its habitat:
 A Habitat, Cawarong (Xizang), B living adult. C Newly hatched first instar larva. D Well-fed first instar larva (photos by Y. Zheng).

Yuchen Zheng, Yuezheng Tu, Davide Badano and Xingyue Liu. 2025. New Insights into Diversity and Evolution of the Oriental Antlion Genus Layahima Navás, 1912 (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae), with Description of New Species and new larvae from China. Arthropod Systematics & Phylogeny. 83: 543-571. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/asp.83.e145082 [17 Oct 2025]

[PaleoEntomology • 2021] Ankyloleon caudatus • X-ray Microtomography and Phylogenomics provide insights into the Morphology and Evolution of an enigmatic Mesozoic Insect Larva

 

 Ankyloleon caudatus  

Badano, Fratini, Maugeri, Palermo, Pieroni, Cedola, Haug, Weiterschan, Velten, Mei, Di  Giulio & Cerretti, 2021

DOI: 10.1111/syen.12482 

  Researchgate.net/publication/352213053

Scale bar: 500 μm. 

  

Abstract

Fossils sometimes show unusual morphological features absent in living organisms, making it difficult to reconstruct both their affinity and their function. We describe here a new lacewing larva, Ankyloleon caudatus gen. et sp.n. (Neuroptera) from the Cretaceous amber of Myanmar, characterized by an abdomen unique among insects, with ‘tail-like’ terminal segments bearing a ventral pair of vesicles. Phase-contrast X-ray microtomography reveals that these structures were dense and equipped with a median duct, suggesting that they were likely pygopods used for locomotion, holding the position through adhesive secretions. Our phylogenetic analyses, combining genomic and morphological data from both living and fossil lacewings, proved critical to placing Ankyloleon gen. n. on the lacewing tree of life as an early representative of the antlion clade, Myrmeleontiformia. These results corroborate the view that derived myrmeleontiform lacewings ‘experimented’ with unusual combinations of features and specializations during their evolutionary history, some of which are now lost.

 Ankyloleon caudatus gen. et sp. n. holotype (MZURPAL00111):
(A) dorsal view and (B) ventral view.

Scale bar: 500 μm. 

 Phylogeny of Neuroptera, highlighting the relationships of Ankyloleon. Based on the ML analysis of partitioned combined dataset including genomic and morphological data, see also Fig. S4. Fossil taxa are in bold characters. (i-vii) selected representatives of the diversity of lacewing larvae (not in scale): (i) Osmylidae larva indet. (photo by G. Montgomery); (ii) Dilar sp., Dilaridae; (iii) Mantispa styriaca (Poda), first instar, Mantispidae; (iv) Chrysoperla mediterranea Hölzel, Chrysopidae; (v) Ankyloleon caudatus gen. et sp. n. reconstruction; (vi) Nemoptera bipennis (Illiger) Nemopteridae; (vii) Libelloides ictericus (Charpentier) Ascalaphidae and (viii) Brachynemurus ferox (Walker), Myrmeleontidae.   

 

Davide Badano, Michela Fratini, Laura Maugeri, Francesca Palermo, Nicola Pieroni, Alessia Cedola, Joachim T. Haug, Thomas Weiterschan, Jürgen Velten, Maurizio Mei, Andrea Di  Giulio, Pierfilippo Cerretti. 2021. X-ray Microtomography and Phylogenomics provide insights into the Morphology and Evolution of an enigmatic Mesozoic Insect Larva. Systematic Entomology. 46(3); 672-684. DOI: 10.1111/syen.12482

  Researchgate.net/publication/352213053_morphology_and_evolution_of_an_enigmatic_Mesozoic_insect_larva

[PaleoEntomology • 2024] Natator giganteus • A new giant Jurassic lacewing larva reveals a particular aquatic habit and its significance to the palaeoecology

 

Natator giganteus 

Kong, Shih, Ren & Wang, 2024

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jse.13071

Abstract

Neuroptera, as a small relic group of Insecta undergoing a rapid species diversification during the Mesozoic Era, is known by diverse extinct endemic lineages preserved as impression fossils and in amber. The current understanding of Mesozoic neuropterans′ diversity has mainly focused on the adults, because the contemporaneous larvae have been fairly rare especially for the Jurassic lacewings. Herein, a new giant lacewing larva, Natator giganteus gen. et sp. nov., is described from the Middle Jurassic Daohugou Beds of China. The remarkable larva is characterized by its impressively large body size, distinctively elongated cervix, and presence of swimming hairs on legs, which provide direct evidence to reveal an aquatic habit for the Jurassic lacewing larva. The morphological analysis indicates this giant larva would have probably inhabited the benthic environments of Jurassic montane rivers and streams. In addition, its morphological specialization suggests that it might have adopted an ambush predation strategy to catch its prey. The finding enhances our knowledge of the species diversity and morphological plasticity for the Jurassic lacewing larvae, and reveals that the aquatic lineages of Neuroptera exhibited dramatically structural and ecological convergence across the evolutionary process.

Keywords: Daohugou bed, fossil, larvae, Middle Jurassic, Neuroptera, swimming hairs

Natator giganteus gen. et sp. nov.

Bowen Kong, Chungkun Shih, Dong Ren and Yongjie Wang. 2024. A new giant Jurassic lacewing larva reveals a particular aquatic habit and its significance to the palaeoecology. Journal of Systematics and Evolution. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jse.13071  [21 April 2024]

https://www.jse.ac.cn/EN/10.1111/jse.13071

https://x.com/JournalSysEvo/status/1791154041839403090

 

[Entomology • 2021] Dilar cangyuanensis, D. forcipatus, D. phraenus, D. striatus, ... • Mining the Species Diversity of Lacewings: New Species of the Pleasing Lacewing Genus Dilar Rambur, 1838 (Neuroptera: Dilaridae) from the Oriental Region

Live adults of Dilar spp. Dilar cangyuanensis sp. nov., male; D. yucheni sp. nov., male.

(A) Dilar phraenus sp. nov., male holotype; (B) D. rauschorum sp. nov., male holotype; (C) D. striatus sp. nov., male holotype; (D) D. weibaoshanensis sp. nov., male holotype; (E) D. weibaoshanensis sp. nov., female; (F) D. yucheni sp. nov., male holotype; (G) D. zhangweiae sp. nov., male holotype. Scale bars: 2.0 mm.

 

in Li, H. Aspöck, U. Aspöck et Liu, 2021.

DOI: doi.org/10.3390/insects12050451 

Simple Summary

The pleasing lacewing (Dilaridae) is a little known family of the holometabolous order Neuroptera, and our understanding of their species diversity has long remained poor. Here, we present descriptions of 12 new species of the pleasing lacewing genus Dilar Rambur, which is widely distributed in the Palaearctic and Oriental regions. We found disparate wing marking patterns as well as several unique characters of the male genitalia of the new species, which highlight the diverse morphologies of Dilar. Based on a faunal analysis, eight areas of endemism of Dilar were distinguished, and the state of their species diversity and endemism were summarized. The Oriental part of China was revealed as the region with the highest species diversity of this genus, and Yunnan within this region stood out as the most species-rich subregion.

Abstract

The species diversity of insects is extraordinarily rich, but still has been insufficiently explored or underestimated particularly for uncommon groups. The pleasing lacewings (Dilaridae) are a little known family of Neuroptera with distinct sexually dimorphic antennae. The species diversity of pleasing lacewings was recently found to be severely underestimated and requires a comprehensive investigation, as well as systematic reviews. Here, we report on 12 new species of the pleasing lacewing genus Dilar Rambur, 1838, from the Oriental region, namely D. forcipatus sp. nov. and D. laoticus sp. nov. from Laos (new country record of Dilar); D. malickyi sp. nov., D. phraenus sp. nov. and D. rauschorum sp. nov. from northern Thailand; D. striatus sp. nov. from northern Vietnam; D. cangyuanensis sp. nov., D. daweishanensis sp. nov., D. nujianganus sp. nov., D. weibaoshanensis sp. nov., D. yucheni sp. nov., and D. zhangweiae sp. nov. from Yunnan and Tibet, both in southwestern China. The new species of Dilar display several types of wing marking patterns, and the morphology of the male genitalia is highly diverse. A comprehensive examination of the species diversity and distribution of Dilar concluded that Yunnan (southwestern China) represents a biogeographic region with high endemism and the richest species diversity. The potential correlation between vertical distribution and geographical latitude in Dilar was also analyzed.

Keywords: Dilaridae; Dilar; new species; species diversity; distribution; Oriental region

Figure 1. Adults of Dilar spp. 

(A) Dilar cangyuanensis sp. nov., male holotype; (B) Dilar cangyuanensis sp. nov., female; (C) Dilar daweishanensis sp. nov., male holotype; (D) Dilar daweishanensis sp. nov., female; (E) Dilar forcipatus sp. nov., male holotype; (F) Dilar laoticus sp. nov., male holotype; (G) Dilar malickyi sp. nov., male holotype; (H) Dilar nujianganus sp. nov., male holotype. Scale bars: 2.0 mm.

Figure 2. Adults of Dilar spp. 

(A) Dilar phraenus sp. nov., male holotype; (B) Dilar rauschorum sp. nov., male holotype; (C) Dilar striatus sp. nov., male holotype; (D) Dilar weibaoshanensis sp. nov., male holotype; (E) Dilar weibaoshanensis sp. nov., female; (F) Dilar yucheni sp. nov., male holotype; (G) Dilar zhangweiae sp. nov., male holotype. Scale bars: 2.0 mm.

Live adults of Dilar spp. (A) Dilar cangyuanensis sp. nov., male (photograph by Yuchen Zheng); (B–D) Dilar yucheni sp. nov., male (photograph by Yuchen Zheng).

 Di Li, Horst Aspöck, Ulrike Aspöck and Xingyue Liu. 2021. Mining the Species Diversity of Lacewings: New Species of the Pleasing Lacewing Genus Dilar Rambur, 1838 (Neuroptera, Dilaridae) from the Oriental Region. Insects. 12(5), 451. DOI: doi.org/10.3390/insects12050451  [14 May 2021]

[PaleoEntomology • 2021] Astioberotha coutreti • A New Species of thorny lacewing (Neuroptera: Rhachiberothidae: Paraberothinae) from mid-Cretaceous Burmese Amber with novel raptorial foreleg structure

 

  Astioberotha coutreti 

Jouault, 2021

DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.pgeola.2021.11.001 

 twitter.com/JouaultCorentin

Abstract

A new species, namely Astioberotha coutreti sp. nov., of the thorny lacewing subfamily Paraberothinae, is described and illustrated from a complete individual preserved in mid-Cretaceous amber from Tanai, northern Myanmar. Astioberotha coutreti sp. nov. preserves nearly all the diagnostic characters of this subfamily, and differs from the type species of the genus Astioberotha owing to the fore femur with one long basal spine and 34 additional smaller spines; protibia bearing five distal spines; probasitarsus with two spines on inner edge located near mid-length; forewing with numerous maculation spots; intra-RP crossvein between RP3 and RP4 present (4rp3-rp4). Astioberotha coutreti sp. nov. together with the recent description of several other Paraberothinae species from the mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber, are used to discuss the palaeobiogeography of the subfamily.

Keywords: Cenomanian, Insecta, Paleodiversity, Systematics

  Astioberotha coutreti sp. nov.

 Corentin Jouault. 2021. A New Species of thorny lacewing (Neuroptera: Rhachiberothidae: Paraberothinae) from mid-Cretaceous Burmese Amber with novel raptorial foreleg structure. Proceedings of the Geologists' Association. In Press. DOI: 10.1016/j.pgeola.2021.11.001 

 twitter.com/JouaultCorentin/status/1461854882823028747

[Entomology • 2024] Euclimacia radioquaesentis • A New Species of the Mantidfly Genus Euclimacia (Neuroptera: Mantispidae) from Vietnam

 

Euclimacia radioquaesentis 

Ehlers, Li, Kirschey & Ohl, 2024

 

DOI: 10.3897/dez.71.123553 

Abstract

A new species of the family Mantispidae (Neuroptera) from Vietnam is described. Euclimacia radioquaesentis sp. nov. shows a unique colour pattern, which is distinctive within the genus. The colouration and morphology of both sexes of the new species are described in detail and illustrated. The naming of the new species is linked to a popular citizen-science event in choosing the name for this species (and three other species from different undescribed species by taxonomists of the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin).

Key Words: Adaption, lacewings, mimicry, new species, parasitoid, polymorphism, sexual dimorphism, Southeast Asia, wasp mimic

 

Euclimacia radioquaesentis sp. nov. male holotype and female paratype with distribution map.
A. Habitus dorsal holotype male. Insert shows asymmetrical bifurcation between left and right costal area of fore-wings. Antecostal sutures (acs) and glabrous marks (gm) visible. The two black lines on the margin of the wing apex of the right fore-wing indicate the width of the oblique apical dark band;
B. Localities (red rhombus) in Vietnam of the radioquaesentis type series. The number in the rhombus symbol indicates the count of specimens in this locality;
C. Female paratype radioquaesentis dorsal view. The two black lines on the margin of the wing apex of the right fore-wing indicate the width of the oblique apical dark band. Scale bars: 5 mm (A, B).

Euclimacia radioquaesentis male.
A. Head frontal view. The subantennal suture (sas) is curved outwards; B. Head and thorax in dorsal view. The epicranial sutures are comprised by the frontal sutures (fs) and the coronal suture (cs). A black transversal band runs along the pronatal groove over the maculae (mc) and the pronatal humps (ph). The horizontal dashed lines indicate the three areas of the prothorax, the prozona (p1), the metazona (p2) and the pronatal base (p3);
C. Lateral view on head, thorax and forelegs.

Scale bars: 1 mm (A); 2 mm (B, C).

Class Insecta Linnaeus, 1758

Order Neuroptera Linnaeus, 1758

Family Mantispidae Leach, 1815

Subfamily Mantispinae Leach, 1815

Genus Euclimacia Enderlein, 1910

Type species: Euclimacia partita Enderlein, 1910: 366, by original designation.

 Euclimacia radioquaesentis sp. nov. 

Diagnosis: The combination of colour characters in the new species is unique within Euclimacia. The contrast between the head and prothorax and the rest of the thorax and abdomen is striking. The prothorax and head have a distinct yellow colour, the remaining thorax is almost uniformly black. The abdomen of the male is also almost completely black with only a few brown markings. The female has a brownish abdomen with a black base. The wing colour is also unique in combination with the body colouration. The wings of E. radioquaesentis have the prominent feature of differently-coloured pterostigmata in fore and hind wing. Whereas the fore-wing pterostigma is yellow, the hind-wing pterostigma is brown. There are currently six species in Euclimacia with this diagnostic character, but these species differ distinctly in body colouration. Whereas in E. radioquaesentis sp. nov., the head and the prothorax are markedly yellow, in the other six species both parts are either ferruginous (E. rhombica Navás, 1914), reddish-brown (E. morosa (Gerstäcker, 1893); E. zonalis Navás, 1914; E. regina Esben-Petersen, 1917; E. rufocincta Handschin, 1961) or completely black (E. gerstaeckeri Banks, 1920).

Etymology: The species epithet is made up of two words ‘radio’ and ‘quaesentis’. The latter derives from Latin and means ‘searched for’. The name was chosen as part of a radio show. Citizens were invited to submit name suggestions. The most suitable was radioquaesentis – searched for on the radio.

 Sarah Ehlers, Hongyu Li, Lukas Kirschey and Michael Ohl. 2024.  A New Species of the Mantidfly Genus Euclimacia from Vietnam (Neuroptera, Mantispidae). Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift. 71(2): 255-264. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/dez.71.123553 

Researchgate.net/publication/385126981_A_new_species_of_Euclimacia_from_Vietnam

[Entomology • 2012] Sinoneurorthus yunnanicus • A spectacular New Species and Genus of Nevrorthidae (Insecta: Neuroptera) from China, with Phylogenetic and Biogeographical Implications

 Sinoneurorthus yunnanicus Liu, H. Aspöck & U. Aspöck, 2012 

 DOI: 10.1080/01650424.2012.718086

  Researchgate.net/publication/263520254

DOI: 10.3897/dez.64.13028  Photo H. Li

Abstract

A new species and genus of Nevrorthidae, Sinoneurorthus yunnanicus n. gen. et n. sp., from Yunnan Province, China, is described. The generic status of the new genus is discussed based on the genital morphology. The phylogenetic and biogeographical relevance of the new genus and its implications on the whole family are discussed.

Keywords: Nevrorthidae, taxonomy, China, phylogeny, biogeography

Sinoneurorthus yunnanicus Liu, H. Aspöck & U. Aspöck, female holotype, China, Yunnan

Photo H. Li DOI: 10.3897/dez.64.13028  

  Nature images of Sinoneurorthus yunnanicus n. sp. and its habitat:
(3) living female; (4) streams near the collecting site; (5) waterfall above the collecting site.

Xingyue Liu, Horst Aspöck and Ulrike Aspöck. 2012. Sinoneurorthus yunnanicus n. gen. et n. sp. – A spectacular New Species and Genus of Nevrorthidae (Insecta: Neuroptera) from China, with Phylogenetic and Biogeographical Implications. Aquatic Insects: International Journal of Freshwater Entomology. 34(2); 131-141. DOI: 10.1080/01650424.2012.718086

  Researchgate.net/publication/263520254_Sinoneurorthus_yunnanicus_n_gen_et_n_sp_-_a_new_species_and_genus_of_Neuroptera_from_China

Ulrike Aspöck, Horst Aspöck and Xingyue Liu. 2017. The Nevrorthidae, mistaken at all times: phylogeny and review of present knowledge (Holometabola, Neuropterida, Neuroptera). Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift. 64(2): 77-110. DOI: 10.3897/dez.64.13028

[Entomology • 2022] Rediscovery of Polystoechotes punctata (Fabricius, 1793) (Neuroptera: Ithonidae) in Eastern North America

 

Polystoechotes punctata (Fabricius, 1793)

in Skvarla et Fisher, 2022.

DOI: 10.4289/0013-8797.124.2.332

Abstract

Polystoechotes punctata (Fabricius, 1793) (Neuroptera: Ithonidae) was formerly widespread across North America, but was extirpated from eastern North America by the 1950s. We report a specimen collected from Fayetteville, Arkansas, which represents a new state record and the first specimen recorded in eastern North America in over fifty years. We also reexamine a previously published dataset and discuss the history of P. punctata in eastern North America. The importance of community science efforts are discussed and compared with museum holdings. We propose that P. punctata may have always been uncommon in eastern North America, or at least when insect collecting began in earnest in the late 1800s, and support our case by examining collection effort in other insects. This discovery suggests there may be relictual populations of this large, charismatic insect yet to be discovered.

 

Michael J. Skvarla and  J. Ray Fisher. 2022. Rediscovery of Polystoechotes punctata (Fabricius, 1793) (Neuroptera: Ithonidae) in Eastern North America. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 124(2); 332-345. DOI: 10.4289/0013-8797.124.2.332

https://phys.org/news/2023-02-rare-insect-arkansas-walmart-historic.html

[PaleoEntomology • 2023] Palaeoneurorthus baii • Giant Jurassic Dragon Lacewing Larvae (Neuroptera: Nevrorthidae) with Lacustrine Palaeoecology represent the Oldest Fossil Rrecord of Larval Neuropterans

Palaeoneurorthus baii  

 Du, Niu & Bao, 2022

DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.2500 

Illustration: Bai Bingyang

Abstract

Neuropterans seem to be less specious among holometabolans, while they are in fact the relicts of a diverse group from the Mesozoic era. Their early radiation resulted in great family level morphological heterogeneity of extant neuropterans, especially of their larvae. The earliest previously reported fossil larvae of this group were from the Early Cretaceous, where they already showed high taxonomic diversity and an extremely wide range of variations in morphotypes. In this work, the earliest record of the larva of the neuropteran Palaeoneurorthus baii gen. et sp. nov. from the Middle Jurassic Daohugou Beds of China is described. The larvae, which have large and elongated bodies, straight stylets with curved apices, an extremely elongated cervix and an extended anterior lobe of pronotum, are placed in Nevrorthidae. The elongated cervix is probably a specialized adaptation for hunting small organisms. The palaeoenvironment of these larvae indicates that larvae of Nevrorthidae have exhibited stable aquatic ecology since the Middle Jurassic, and underwent a possible shift from lakes to more lotic yet constricted modern mountain rivulet habitats over time.

Keywords: palaeoecology, Nevrorthidae, Neuroptera, Daohugou biota, Jurassic, palaeoentomology

  Holotype of Palaeoneurorthus baii gen. et sp. nov., larva (YLSNHM01098) from the Daohugou Beds, Ningcheng County, China.
(a) Photograph of the complete body (dry), (b) drawing of the complete body, (c) photograph of head and anterior half of cervix (in alcohol), (d) colour marked version of head and cervix.

a1–a9, abdominal element 1–9, cs, coronal suture, cv, cervix, fe, femur, fs, frontal suture, md, mandible, ms, mesothorax, mt, metathorax, mxst, maxillary stylet, P2, setae on the posterior parietal region (tentatively homologized setae, ...), pl, palpus labialis, pt, prothorax, S3, ventrolateral setae on the rounded temples, tar, tarsus, te, trunk end, ti, tibia, tr, trochanter. Scale bars = 10 mm (a, a1), 2 mm (b, b1). 178 × 164 mm (300 × 300 DPI).

Systematic palaeontology

Insecta Linnaeus, 1758

Neuroptera Linnaeus, 1758

Osmyloidea Panfilov, 1980

Nevrorthidae Nakahara, 1915

Palaeoneurorthus gen. nov.

Etymology: the generic name consists of Latin ‘palaeo-’ which indicates the antiquity of this taxon, and ‘Neurorthus’, the type genus of Nevrorthidae.

Type locality: Daohugou Village, Ningcheng County, NE China.

Horizon and age: Jiulongshan Formation, upper Middle Jurassic.

Repository: Holotype: Yingliang Stone Nature History Museum, China. Paratype: Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, China Academy of Sciences.

Palaeoneurorthus baii sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: i) large body size, ii) rostrum not developed, iii) cervix extremely elongated, twice the length of the head capsule, narrower than the head capsule and prothorax.

Etymology: the specific name is dedicated to Bai Bingyang, who provided the holotype for research.

Ecological reconstruction of Palaeoneurorthus baii gen. et sp. nov.

(by Bai Bingyang).

Xuheng Du, Kecheng Niu and Tong Bao. 2022. Giant Jurassic Dragon Lacewing Larvae with Lacustrine Palaeoecology represent the Oldest Fossil Rrecord of Larval Neuropterans. Proc. R. Soc. B. 290: 20222500. DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.2500 

[Entomology • 2021] Joguina unimaculata • A New Species of Joguina Navás, 1912 (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) from south-western India

 

Joguina unimaculata

Winterton, Balakrishnan & Chenthamarakshan, 2021

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4970.3.9

Researchgate.net/publication/351634818

Abstract

A new species of the delicate lacewing, Joguina Navás, 1912 (Chrysopidae: Apochrysinae) is described and figured from  India. A key to species of Joguina is presented as well as revised diagnoses of both Joguina and its sister genus, Lainius Navás, 1913 stat. rev.

Keywords: Neuroptera, Chrysopidae, Apochrysinae

Joguina unimaculata sp. n.

 Common name. One-spotted delicate lacewing.

Etymology. The species name is derived from the Latin—unus, one; maculatus, spot, stain, referring to the single pustule in each wing.

Shaun L. Winterton, Suryanarayanan Thangalazhi Balakrishnan and Bijoy Chenthamarakshan. 2021. A New Species of Joguina Navás, 1912 from India (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). Zootaxa. 4970(3); 577–585. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4970.3.9

Researchgate.net/publication/351634818_A_new_species_of_Joguina_from_India

[Entomology • 2021] Ankylopteryx (A.) diffluens & A. (A.) rubrocincta • Two New Species of the Green Lacewing Subgenus Ankylopteryx Brauer, 1864 (s. str.) (Neuroptera, Chrysopidae) from China

Ankylopteryx (Ankylopteryx) diffluens 

Ma & Liu, 2021

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4941.3.7

Abstract

Two new species of the green lacewing subgenus Ankylopteryx Brauer are described from southern Yunnan, China, namely Ankylopteryx (A.) diffluens sp. nov. and Ankylopteryx (A.) rubrocincta sp. nov.. An updated key to the species of this subgenus is provided.

Keywords: Neuroptera, new species, green lacewing, key

 

Yunlong Ma and Xingyue Liu. 2021. Two New Species of the Green Lacewing Subgenus Ankylopteryx Brauer, 1864 (s. str.) (Neuroptera, Chrysopidae) from China. Zootaxa. 4941(3); 425–433. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4941.3.7

[Entomology • 2020] Rhachiella malawica from Malawi • Another Beauty of the Afrotropics (Neuroptera: Rhachiberothidae)

 Rhachiella malawica

Aspöck, Aspöck, Johnson, Donga & Duelli, 2020

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4808.1.7

Abstract

A new species and a new genus of Rhachiberothidae, Rhachiella malawica gen. nov., spec. nov., are described from Malawi. The new species is characterized by a flat vertex, a long penisfilum in the male, and by a bifurcate pseudohypocauda in the female. This combination of characters requires the description of a new genus, which is the sister taxon of Mucroberotha Tjeder, 1959. This is the first record of Rhachiberothidae in Malawi.

 The distributions of all 14 species of Rhachiberothidae so far known are shown in three maps.

Keywords: Neuroptera, Neuropterida, Thorny Lacewings, taxonomy, distribution

 Rhachiella malawica spec. nov., paratype, female, habitus - Length of forewing 7 mm.

(photo: Thomas Reich, WSL Birmensdorf, Switzerland). 

Genus Rhachiella gen. nov.

 Rhachiella malawica spec. nov. 

Etymology: Rhachiella is derived from Rhachiberotha. It has feminine gender; malawica is an adjective derived from the country where the species has been discovered.

 Ulrike Aspöck, Horst Aspöck, James B. Johnson, Trust Kasambala Donga and Peter Duelli. 2020. Rhachiella malawica gen. nov., spec. nov. from Malawi— Another Beauty of the Afrotropics (Neuroptera: Rhachiberothidae). Zootaxa. 4808(1); 131–140. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4808.1.7