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Taxa

Neuroptera

Insect Orders

Neuroptera, meaning nerve-wing and also called net-winged insects, is an order of some 6,000 insect species that includes the lacewings, mantidflies and antlions, named for their finely veined, net-like wings. The order is grouped with the Megaloptera and Raphidioptera, or snakeflies, in the broader unranked taxon Neuropterida.

Facts
Taxonomic Rank
Order 1
Scientific Name
Neuroptera 1
Member Species/Taxa Count
6000 1
Defining Characteristics
Adults have four membranous wings of similar size with many veins, chewing mouthparts, and undergo complete metamorphosis 1
Identification
Distinguishing Appearance
Soft bodied insects with large lateral compound eyes, which may or may not also have ocelli 1
Classification
Living or Extinct
Yes 2
Connections

Parent Taxon Of

Antlion, Species
Source Catalogue of Life
Lacewing, Species
Source Catalogue of Life
Mantidfly, Species
Source Wikidata: Mantidfly
Owlfly, Species
Source Wikidata: Owlfly
Sources
1. Neuroptera - Wikipedia
  • Introduction (rank)
    The insect order Neuroptera
  • Introduction (name)
    The insect order Neuroptera, from Ancient Greek
  • Introduction (member count)
    The order consists of some 6,000 species
  • Introduction (characteristics)
    Adult neuropterans have four membranous wings, all about the same size, with many veins. They have chewing mouthparts, and undergo complete metamorphosis
  • Anatomy and biology section
    Neuropterans are soft-bodied insects with relatively few specialised features. They have large lateral compound eyes, and may or may not also have ocelli
  • In Group: Holometabolous Insect Orders, Lead
    The insect order Neuroptera, from Ancient Greek νεῦρον (neûron), meaning "nerve", and πτερόν (pterón), meaning "wing", also known as net-winged insects, includes the lacewings, mantidflies, antlions, and their relatives.
View the Source
2. Wikidata (taxon extant/extinct status)
Wikimedia Foundation / Wikidata contributorsQ156438, descriptionView the Source
Wikidata: Neuroptera
Wikidata Q156438, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source
Catalogue of Life
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life
  • Parent Taxon Of: Lacewing
  • Parent Taxon Of: Antlion
View the Source
Wikidata: Owlfly
Parent Taxon Of: Owlfly, Wikidata P171 (parent taxon) claim, rank=normal, target=Q156438 (Neuroptera)View the Source
Wikidata: Mantidfly
Parent Taxon Of: Mantidfly, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chainView the Source
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