Insect Order Neuroptera - lacewings
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