Lacewing larvae (Neuroptera) are, mostly, fierce predators, as prominently demonstrated by the widely known larvae of antlions. A key feature of lacewing larvae is the structure of their mouthparts: each upper jaw forms a distinct stylet with its corresponding lower jaw; hence each lacewing larvae bears a pair of stylets, which are far anterior on the head (prognathous). The stylets allow to pierce the prey, to inject neurotoxic venom followed by saliva, and finally the liquefied tissues can be sucked through the stylets (e.g. MacLeod 1964, Aspöck & Aspöck 2007, Zimmermann et al. 2019.Mostly the stylets are elongate and curved to allow a counteraction for penetrating the prey easier. In some larvae, the stylets are straight or even outward curved (e.g. MacLeod 1964). One larger ingroup of Neuroptera, Myrmeleontiformia, the group of antlion-like lacewings, is characterised by an additional specialisation of the stylets, namely teeth. Such teeth can be lost in some lineages; in some cases this is apparent during ontogeny (see discussion in Haug et al. 2019a). Among modern representatives, smaller teeth are known in some larvae of thread-winged lacewings (Crocinae; see discussion in Haug et al. 2021a) and spoon-winged lacewings (Nemopterinae; Monserrat 1996: p. 104, Haug et al. 2021b). Prominent teeth occur in larvae of the group Myrmeleontidae + Ascalaphidae (Badano 2012, Badano & Pantaleoni 2014a, b; monophyly of ingroups currently unclear, e.g. Machado et al. 2019, Badano et al. 2021 and also in larvae of split-footed lace wings (Nymphidae; e.g. MacLeod 1964, Haug et al. 2022a). Among the modern groups, there is a certain variation in the number of teeth, but three is rather common (MacLeod 1970: p. 165), besides in split-footed lacewings which usually have a single one (e.g.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.