Insects

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49 pages, 31450 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Expanded View on the Morphological Diversity of Long-Nosed Antlion Larvae Further Supports a Decline of Silky Lacewings in the Past 100 Million Years

by Colin Hassenbach, Laura Buchner, Gideon T. Haug, Carolin Haug and Joachim T. Haug

Insects 2023, 14(2), 170; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14020170 - 9 Feb 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2452

Abstract

Lacewings have been suggested to be a relict group. This means that the group of lacewings, Neuroptera, should have been more diverse in the past, which also applies to many ingroups of Neuroptera. Psychopsidae, the group of silky lacewings, is one of the [...] Read more.

Lacewings have been suggested to be a relict group. This means that the group of lacewings, Neuroptera, should have been more diverse in the past, which also applies to many ingroups of Neuroptera. Psychopsidae, the group of silky lacewings, is one of the ingroups of Neuroptera which is relatively species-poor in the modern fauna. Larvae of the group Psychopsidae, long-nosed antlions, can be easily identified as such in being larvae of antlion-like lacewings without teeth in their stylets (=compound structure of mandible and maxilla), with empodia (=attachment structures on legs) and with a prominent forward-protruding labrum. Therefore, such larvae can also be recognised in the fossil record. An earlier study demonstrated a decline in the morphological diversity of long-nosed antlion larvae over the past 100 million years. Here, we report several dozen new long-nosed antlion larvae and expand the earlier quantitative study. Our results further corroborate the decline of silky lacewings. Yet, a lack of an indication of saturation indicates that we have still not approached the original diversity of long-nosed antlions in the Cretaceous. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity and Evolution of Lacewings and Allies (Neuropterida))

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12 pages, 2087 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Adults of Alderflies, Fishflies, and Dobsonflies (Megaloptera) Expel Meconial Fluid When Disturbed

by Pei Yu, Chengquan Cao, Xingyue Liu and Fumio Hayashi

Insects 2023, 14(1), 86; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14010086 - 13 Jan 2023

Viewed by 2234

Abstract

Chemical secretions are an effective means by which insects may deter potential enemies, already being studied extensively with regard to their chemicals, synthesis, toxicity, and functions. However, these defensive secretions have been little studied in Megaloptera. Herein, the fluid expelling behavior of adult [...] Read more.

Chemical secretions are an effective means by which insects may deter potential enemies, already being studied extensively with regard to their chemicals, synthesis, toxicity, and functions. However, these defensive secretions have been little studied in Megaloptera. Herein, the fluid expelling behavior of adult alderflies (Sialidae), fishflies (Corydalidae: Chauliodinae), and dobsonflies (Corydalidae: Corydalinae), all of the order Megaloptera, is described in detail regarding the timing and possible function of this behavior. When disturbed artificially, both males and females could expel fluid from the anus. However, the frequency of expelling was much lower in alderflies than in fishflies and dobsonflies. The amount of expelled fluid relative to body weight was also smaller in alderflies. In fishflies and dobsonflies, the amount of expelled fluid decreased with adult age, probably because the fluid is little replenished once expelled. The cream-colored fluid seems to be meconial fluid produced via the Malpighian tubules at the pupal stage, which is usually discharged at adult emergence in most other holometabolous insects. However, adult fishflies and dobsonflies often expel it vigorously by bending their abdomen when disturbed after emergence. Thus, the fluid expelling may be an anti-predatory behavior, particularly in younger adults that can expel a relatively large amount of fluid. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity and Evolution of Lacewings and Allies (Neuropterida))

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17 pages, 14982 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Functions of Egg-Coating Substances Secreted by Female Accessory Glands in Alderflies, Fishflies and Dobsonflies (Megaloptera)

by Pei Yu, Xingyue Liu and Fumio Hayashi

Insects 2022, 13(9), 766; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13090766 - 25 Aug 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2841

Abstract

Eggs of insects are immobile and must endure harsh environmental conditions (e.g., low temperatures in winter and aridity in summer) and avoid attack by egg-eating predators, egg parasites, and microbes. Females of Megaloptera lay their eggs as a single- or multi-layered egg mass, [...] Read more.

Eggs of insects are immobile and must endure harsh environmental conditions (e.g., low temperatures in winter and aridity in summer) and avoid attack by egg-eating predators, egg parasites, and microbes. Females of Megaloptera lay their eggs as a single- or multi-layered egg mass, which is coated with chemical substances secreted from the female reproductive accessory glands. In this study, we observed the egg masses laid by females of two species of Sialidae (alderflies), nine species of Chauliodinae (fishflies), and 23 species of Corydalinae (dobsonflies) belonging to the order Megaloptera and examined the functions of accessory gland substances coating the laid eggs. The female accessory gland is a single tube in alderflies and fishflies but a paired pouch in dobsonflies. The amount and color of the gland substances differ greatly among species. These substances prevent egg desiccation, inhibit egg feeding by ladybird beetles, and repel ants. Most characteristics of the egg mass structures and the effectiveness of accessory gland substances reflect the phylogeny of Megaloptera, although some differ among closely related taxa. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity and Evolution of Lacewings and Allies (Neuropterida))

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11 pages, 3668 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A New Cretaceous Dustywing Genus (Neuroptera: Coniopterygidae) with Peculiar Wing Venation

by Zuluan Chen, Lihua Wang, De Zhuo, Chunpeng Xu and Xingyue Liu

Insects 2022, 13(7), 654; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13070654 - 19 Jul 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1985

Abstract

The species and morphological diversity of dustywings (Neuroptera: Coniopterygidae) from the Cretaceous, of which the knowledge is rapidly increasing by recent studies on the species from the mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber, provide valuable evidence for understanding the phylogeny and early evolution of this highly [...] Read more.

The species and morphological diversity of dustywings (Neuroptera: Coniopterygidae) from the Cretaceous, of which the knowledge is rapidly increasing by recent studies on the species from the mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber, provide valuable evidence for understanding the phylogeny and early evolution of this highly specialized lacewing lineage. Here we describe a new genus and two new species of this genus in Coniopterygidae from the mid-Cretaceous (lowermost Cenomanian) of northern Myanmar, namely Paradoxoconis szirakii gen. et sp. nov. and Paradoxoconis longipalpa gen. et sp. nov. The new genus possesses a peculiar combination of wing characters, e.g., the terminal fusion or connection between ScP and RA, the terminal connection of RA to RP, the presence of forewing A3, and the presence of a distal gradate series of crossveins. Despite uncertain subfamilial placement, this new genus morphologically resembles the extant genus Coniocompsa Enderlein, 1905 of the subfamily Aleuropteryginae and the extant genus Flintoconis Sziráki, 2007 of the subfamily Brucheiserinae. Our finding highlights the palaeodiversity of dustywings from the Cretaceous. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity and Evolution of Lacewings and Allies (Neuropterida))

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19 pages, 2479 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Diversity of Lacewings (Neuroptera) in an Altitudinal Gradient of the Tacaná Volcano, Southern Mexico

by Rodolfo J. Cancino-López, Claudia E. Moreno and Atilano Contreras-Ramos

Insects 2022, 13(7), 652; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13070652 - 19 Jul 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3085

Abstract

Neuroptera is an order of insects with a moderate diversity of species numbers yet a high between-family morphological diversity, which has a significant ecological role as a predator. However, there are few studies focused on describing changes in species diversity along environmental gradients. [...] Read more.

Neuroptera is an order of insects with a moderate diversity of species numbers yet a high between-family morphological diversity, which has a significant ecological role as a predator. However, there are few studies focused on describing changes in species diversity along environmental gradients. We evaluated changes in the alpha and beta diversity of species and the higher taxa in Neuroptera communities in the Tacaná Volcano in southern Mexico. Five sites each at different altitudes were studied through systematic annual sampling. The taxonomic and phylogenetic alpha diversity were analyzed, as well as the beta diversity and its components, species turnover and nestedness. The alpha diversity had two trends: (1) decreased standardized richness and taxonomic distinctness with increasing altitude, and (2) increased estimated richness and species diversity at intermediate altitudes. The highest turnover values for species, as well as for supra-specific taxa, were recorded at sites with lower altitudes. The highest total beta diversity value was recorded at elevations above 3000 m, whereas the highest number of species and supra-specific taxa were observed at sites between 600 and 2000 m, with an evident decrease above 3000 m. The type of vegetation and environmental conditions may be influencing the decrease in diversity toward higher elevations, which could explain the niche specialization of Neuroptera species to particular sites within the gradient. These results highlight the need to study the environmental factors and their effects on species composition along an elevation gradient. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity and Evolution of Lacewings and Allies (Neuropterida))

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49 pages, 28006 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Morphological Diversity of Antlion Larvae and Their Closest Relatives over 100 Million Years

by Carolin Haug, Victor Posada Zuluaga, Ana Zippel, Florian Braig, Patrick Müller, Carsten Gröhn, Thomas Weiterschan, Jörg Wunderlich, Gideon T. Haug and Joachim T. Haug

Insects 2022, 13(7), 587; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13070587 - 27 Jun 2022

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3533

Abstract

Among lacewings (Neuroptera), representatives of the groups Ascalaphidae (owlflies) and Myrmeleontidae (antlions) are likely the most widely known ones. The exact taxonomic status of the two groups remains currently unclear, each may in fact be nested in the other group. Herein, we refer [...] Read more.

Among lacewings (Neuroptera), representatives of the groups Ascalaphidae (owlflies) and Myrmeleontidae (antlions) are likely the most widely known ones. The exact taxonomic status of the two groups remains currently unclear, each may in fact be nested in the other group. Herein, we refer to the group including representatives of both with the neutral term “owllion”. Owllion larvae are voracious ambush hunters. They are not only known in the extant fauna, but also from the fossil record. We report here new findings of a fossil owlfly larva from Eocene Baltic amber, as well as several owlfly-like larvae from Cretaceous Kachin amber, Myanmar. Based on these fossils, combined with numerous fossil and extant specimens from the literature, collections, and databases, we compared the morphological diversity of the head and mouthpart shapes of the larvae of owllions in the extant fauna with that of owllion-like larvae from three time slices: about 100 million years ago (Cretaceous), about 40 million years ago (Eocene), and about 20 million years ago (Miocene). The comparison reveals that the samples from the Eocene and Miocene are too small for a reliable evaluation. Yet, the Cretaceous larvae allow for some conclusions: (1) the larval morphological diversity of owllion larvae increased over time, indicating a post-Cretaceous diversification; (2) certain morphologies disappeared after the Cretaceous, most likely representing ecological roles that are no longer present nowadays. In comparison, other closely related lineages, e.g., silky lacewings or split-footed lacewings, underwent more drastic losses after the Cretaceous and no subsequent diversifications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity and Evolution of Lacewings and Allies (Neuropterida))

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20 pages, 5489 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bibliometric Analyses of Web of Science Illuminate Research Advances of Neuropterida

by Shuo Tian, Yuxin An, Ruyue Zhang, Liming Wang and Yuyu Wang

Insects 2022, 13(5), 464; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13050464 - 16 May 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2607

Abstract

Neuropterida is a relatively primitive group of Holometabola. There are about 6500 extant species. Many species of this group are natural enemies and can prey on a variety of agricultural pests. In order to understand the leading research institutions, researchers and research contents, [...] Read more.

Neuropterida is a relatively primitive group of Holometabola. There are about 6500 extant species. Many species of this group are natural enemies and can prey on a variety of agricultural pests. In order to understand the leading research institutions, researchers and research contents, and to predict the future research directions of Neuropterida, the Web of Science core database, from January 1995 to September 2021, was searched with the theme of “Neuropterida or Neuroptera or Megaloptera or Raphidioptera or Lacewing”. The results showed that the United States and China published relatively more publications than other countries. In addition, researchers from these two countries had more cooperation with other countries. China Agricultural University ranked the highest in the number of publications and centrality in this field. In addition, it was found that the early research focused on the biological control of Neuropterida by analyzing the keyword burst, whereas the more recent research focused on the phylogeny of Neuropterida. As the first representative chromosome-level genome of Neuropterida has been published, the future research of Neuropterida will focus on the genomic studies and molecular mechanisms of their morphological characters, behavior, historical evolution and so on. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity and Evolution of Lacewings and Allies (Neuropterida))

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13 pages, 2293 KiB

Open AccessArticle

New Cretaceous Lacewings in a Transitional Lineage of Myrmeleontoidea and Their Phylogenetic Implications

by Xiumei Lu, Chunpeng Xu and Xingyue Liu

Insects 2022, 13(5), 429; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13050429 - 5 May 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2312

Abstract

The extinct neuropteran families Cratosmylidae and Babinskaiidae hitherto only known from the Cretaceous represent the transitional lineage between Nymphidae and advanced myrmeleontoids (e.g., Nemopteridae and Myrmeleontidae) in the superfamily Myrmeleontoidea. Here, we describe two new species, which respectively belong to Cratosmylidae and Babinskaiidae, [...] Read more.

The extinct neuropteran families Cratosmylidae and Babinskaiidae hitherto only known from the Cretaceous represent the transitional lineage between Nymphidae and advanced myrmeleontoids (e.g., Nemopteridae and Myrmeleontidae) in the superfamily Myrmeleontoidea. Here, we describe two new species, which respectively belong to Cratosmylidae and Babinskaiidae, namely, Araripenymphes burmanus sp. nov. and Paradoxoleon chenruii gen. et sp. nov., from the mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber of Myanmar. Cratosmylidae, which was previously only recorded from the Lower Cretaceous of Brazil (Crato Formation), is first reported from the mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber of Myanmar, and the co-occurrence of Araripenymphes Menon, Martins-Neto and Martill, 2005 across South America and Asia further documents the Gondwanan origin of the northern Myanmar amber lacewing paleofauna. The first finding of a deeply bifurcated forewing MP with two free branches in Babinskaiidae (viz., Paradoxoleon chenruii gen. et sp. nov.) highlights the morphological diversity of this extinct family. The phylogenetic positions of Araripenymphes burmanus sp. nov. and Paradoxoleon chenruii gen. et sp. nov. were recovered on the basis of a morphology-based phylogenetic analysis, and the monophyly of Cratosmylidae + Babinskaiidae was corroborated. Given the paraphyly of Cratosmylidae, its familial status is discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity and Evolution of Lacewings and Allies (Neuropterida))

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