Abstract
The mouthparts of the spoon-winged lacewing Nemoptera sinuata are adapted for the uptake of pollen and nectar. Form and function of the mouthparts are described, and the technique of food uptake is discussed in context with flower-visiting behaviour and floral architecture of the preferred flowers. The maxillae are the main organs for food uptake. The brush-shaped laciniae, galeae and maxillary palpi form a functional unit which can be extended by the action of the cardo-stipes joint. Video analyses of the mouthpart movements distinguished different patterns of maxillary motions which occur in nectar feeding or pollen collecting. The flower-visiting behaviour and the specialised mouthparts of the Nemopteridae are derived traits which probably evolved from preda- tory and biting/chewing mouthparts within the Neuroptera.
Highlights
Adult Nemopteridae, the spoon-winged lacewings and the thread-winged lacewings, have an extraordinary appearance and are recognized by their ribbon or thread like hind wings which are much longer than the fore wings (Fig. 1)
The larvae live in the soil and are predators of ants and other small insects; their daggershaped mouthparts are composed of the mandibles and maxillae; adults are flower-visitors and feed on nectar and pollen (Popov, 1963; Tjeder, 1967; Picker, 1987; Monserrat & Martinez, 1995; Monserrat, 1996)
The adults of Nemopteridae have been observed in southern Europe and South Africa to be regular flower visitors feeding floral diets (Picker, 1984; Monserrat, 1985; Picker & Leon, 1990; Popov, 1998)
Summary
Adult Nemopteridae, the spoon-winged lacewings and the thread-winged lacewings, have an extraordinary appearance and are recognized by their ribbon or thread like hind wings which are much longer than the fore wings (Fig. 1). The larvae live in the soil and are predators of ants and other small insects; their daggershaped mouthparts are composed of the mandibles and maxillae; adults are flower-visitors and feed on nectar and pollen (Popov, 1963; Tjeder, 1967; Picker, 1987; Monserrat & Martinez, 1995; Monserrat, 1996). Among the Neuroptera, the adults of some genera in various families (e.g. in Chrysopidae, Osmylidae, Sisyridae; rarely in Mantispidae, Berothidae and even in Hemerobiidae and Myrmeleontidae) have been observed to feed facultatively from flowers (e.g. Killington, 1936; Grinfeld, 1959; Popov, 1973; New, 1989; Aspöck & Aspöck, 1999; Villenave et al, 2005), their mouthparts belong to the biting/chewing functional type which is characterized by well developed biting mandibles (Aspöck & Aspöck, 2003). The Nemopteridae include about 150 species (Aspöck & Aspöck, 1999; Aspöck et al, 2001a) in Mediterranean, semiarid, arid and desert regions of southern Europe, southwest Asia, Australia, South America and Africa; the latter harbouring a rich fauna in the Cape Region of
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
