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Insect Order Neuroptera- lacewings
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| Neuroptera are soft bodied insects of variable size usually
with longish antennae. They have biting and chewing mouth parts both as
larvae and as adults, though some of the adults do not feed. They
generally have 2 pairs of wings, of which the hind pair are usually
larger to some extent. The wings are normally held tent-like over their
abdomen when not in flight. They have no cerci. They have ten segments
to their abdomen and 5 to their tarsi. |
| They have large compound eyes.
Their legs are all similar, except in the mantispidae which have
raptorial grasping forelegs. Those adults which feed do so on dead
insects, nectar and other liquids. The larvae are all carnivorous. Many
of the adults are relatively weak flyers and the larvae of some species
attach the empty skins of their prey to backs as a disguise. |
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