Knowra Snakefly Snakefly A predatory insect in the order Raphidioptera, recognizable by its elongated prothorax and two pairs of membranous wings. Its larvae and adults prey on other small arthropods.
Raphidioptera : An insect order comprising snakeflies, with elongated prothoraces, predatory habits, and complete metamorphosis. Snakefly is the common name for members of this order.
Aphid : A small sap-feeding insect in the superfamily Aphidoidea, often forming colonies on plants. Aphids are among the small insects that snakefly larvae may capture.
Raphidia : A genus of snakeflies in the family Raphidiidae, found chiefly in the Northern Hemisphere. It is a familiar living genus within the order.
Neuroptera : An insect order that includes lacewings, antlions, and owlflies. Snakeflies are closely related to neuropterans within the broader net-winged insect lineage.
Prothorax : The first thoracic segment of an insect, bearing the first pair of legs. Its unusually elongated prothorax gives snakeflies their characteristic appearance.
Pupa : The development stage between larva and adult in insects with complete metamorphosis. Snakeflies pass through a pupal stage before emerging as winged adults.
Inocellia : A genus of snakeflies in the family Inocelliidae. It illustrates the second major living family of snakeflies.
Megaloptera : An insect order including alderflies, fishflies, and dobsonflies, whose larvae are commonly aquatic. It is another order of Neuropterida, the lineage that includes snakeflies.
Holometaboly : Complete metamorphosis in insects, with distinct egg, larval, pupal, and adult stages. Snakeflies develop through a larval stage and a pupa before becoming adults.
Ovipositor : An insect appendage used to place or deposit eggs. Female snakeflies use a long ovipositor to lay eggs in crevices or bark.
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