| Hemerobiidae | |
|---|---|
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| AdultMicromus variegatus (Microminae) | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Neuroptera |
| Suborder: | Hemerobiiformia |
| Superfamily: | Hemerobioidea |
| Family: | Hemerobiidae Latreille, 1802 |
| Subfamilies | |
10, seetext | |
| Synonyms | |
Promegalomidae | |
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Hemerobiidae is a family ofNeuropteran insects commonly known asbrown lacewings, comprising about 500 species in 28 genera. Most are yellow to dark brown, but some species are green. They are small; most have forewings 4–10 mm long (some up to 18 mm). These insects differ from the somewhat similarChrysopidae (green lacewings) not only by the usual coloring but also by the wing venation: hemerobiids differ from chrysopids in having numerous long veins (two or more radial sectors) and forkedcostal cross veins. Some genera (Hemerobius,Micromus,Notiobiella,Sympherobius,Wesmaelius) are widespread, but most are restricted to a single biogeographical realm. Some species have reduced wings to the degree that they are flightless.[1]Imagines (adults) ofsubfamilyDrepanepteryginaemimic dead leaves. Hemerobiid larvae are usually less hairy than chrysopid larvae.
Hemerobiids, like chrysopids, arepredatory, especially onaphids, both aslarvae and adults. ThespeciesMicromus tasmaniae is bred forbiological pest control.[2]
The relationships between theHemerobiidae and the other Neuropteran families are still unresolved.[3] Despite their superficial similarity tochrysopids, the brown and green lacewings may not be as closely related as was at one time believed. Rather, theHemerobiidae appear to be closely related to theMantispidae.[4][5]
ThesuperfamilyHemerobioidea is currently restricted to the Hemerobiidae. Formerly, the pleasing lacewings (Dilaridae), silky lacewings (Psychopsidae), giant lacewings (Polystoechotidae) and as noted above the green lacewings (Chrysopidae) were placed therein too. Of these, only theDilaridae andChrysopidae seem to be reasonably close relatives of the brown lacewings. ThePsychopsidae in fact seem to belong to an altogether differentsuborder of Neuroptera, theMyrmeleontiformia.[3]
Cladogram of Hemerobiidae relations, based on morphological and molecular data.Psychobiellinae was rearranged intoNotiobiellinae andZachobiellinae, andAdelphohemerobiinae was placed asincertae sedis.[6]
| Hemerobiidae | |
The subfamilies of Hemerobiidae are:
Apart from the genera assigned tosubfamilies, the genusNotherobius is of uncertain or fairlybasal position.
Numerousfossil Hemerobiidae have been described, some from the still-living genera, others from genera that are entirely extinct today. While most have been found inEocene toMiocene rocks oramber,Promegalomus is known from theJurassic. It was formerly considered to constitute a distinct familyPromegalomidae, but is currently recognized as a very basal member of the Hemerobiidae. TheCretaceousMesohemerobius was formerly considered a brown lacewing, but is today rather placed asincertae sedis in the Neuroptera; it might be a member of the Hemerobioidea but not even that is certain. Notable fossil Hemerobiidae genera are:[8]
The extinct genusHemerobites was originally described in 1813 from a specimen preserved in Baltic amber as a hemerobiid. However further study has resulted in its synonymy with the genusEutermes and placement in thetermite subfamilyTermitina. The speciesWesmaelius mathewesi, was described in 2003 from a solitary Eocene fossil found near Quesnel, British Columbia, and placed into the extant genusWesmaelius. At that time it was the oldest Hemerobiinae species described.[9] Another species from the same genus,Wesmaelius makarkini was found inGarang Formation ofZeku County,Qinghai Province,China, in 2018. The finding is fromLower Miocene.[7]
Some additional brown lacewing larvae have been found as fossils, but it has been impossible to determine their generic or subfamilial association.[8]
Media related toHemerobiidae at Wikimedia CommonsAuthority control databases: National |
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