NETJROP'TERA (Neo-Lat. nom. pl.. from elk. pirwoy, neuron. nerve + ir-rcp6v, pleron, wing). _1 Linn:ran order of insect.; which has recently been restricted by out the orders Mecoptera, Corrodentia, I soptera. Odonata, Ephemerbla. Pleeoptera. and Trichoptera. which together for a limp were known as the Pseudo neurop14.ra. At present the Neuroptera ineludes those forms belonging to the old group of winged insects which possess a complete meta morphosis. The arc formed for biting; the wings are four in number. mem branous, and furnished with numerous veins, usually with many cross veins. Praetirally all forms are carnivorous. and feed upon other in s-ets. Some of them are aquatic. bit the major ity live on land and wherever their prey abounds. The order is divided into seven large families: ( I I The Sialid:c, ineboling the dobson or hell grammite tly ( see CORYDALIS1 . the ablerdlies (Sian.). and the fish !lies (('hauliodes).
(2) The Paphidiiihr, or .snake-tlies (q.v.).
(3) The ineluding the false rear horses. or inantis-like Neuroptera. These in
se-ts. rare in the hare a long neck and grasping front legs. and are predatory in habits: their transformations are especially ( 11 The Conropteryghbe, including the dusty. wings. which are the somllest of the and have wings covered with whitish powder. They are very few in number. and prey: in the larval stage. upon seale insects, plant-lice, and red spider,.
(5) The Alyrinelconidle, or ant-lions (q.v.).
(6) The Ilemeroblidx, or aphis-lions (q.v.).
(7) The Chrysopbhe, or golden-eyed lace winged flies. See Lact:wtxc.
Nearly all the families of Neuropteran insects are represented by fossil remain, in the Tertiary rocks: and some, such as the dragon-flies. cad dieedlies, and white ants, appear in the still earlier Mesozoic formations.
Consult: Comstock, Manual for the Mud!' of Inmets (Ithaca. 1895) ; Sharp. Cambridge Natu ral history. vol. v. ( London. 1895) ; Howard, The luscct Book (New York, 1902).