RHAPHIDIOPTERA: SNAKEFLIES
Definition
- The prothorax (front section of the thorax) is elongate, giving the appearance of a short-necked giraffe. The build is moderately slender, with blackish body and a network of black veins on two pairs of rather similar wings. Antennae thread-like. [Related to lacewings and alderflies]
- Biting and chewing mouthparts.
- The larvae are terrestrial predators.
- Life cycle complete: egg, larva, pupa and adult.
What they do and where they live
- Adults seem lethargic and docile, sitting on tree bark or foliage. In fact they are predatory.
- Larvae are predators under tree bark.
Number of species
- There are 4 species in Britain.
- The world fauna is small.
It's amazing Nature has produced some amazing engineering designs, as good as science fiction ideas. The name snakefly refers to the use of the long prothorax to angle-back the head before striking at prey like a snake.
