Nymphidae

Definition

A family of lacewings (order Neuroptera) comprising about 35 extant species restricted to Australia and New Guinea, characterized by raptorial forelegs with a distinctive split tarsus used to capture prey. Adults are typically nocturnal and attracted to light; larvae are ambush predators that construct debris-carrying cases or burrow in soil.

Etymology

From the type genus Nymphes + Latin family suffix -idae

Example

Nymphes myrmeleonoides, a common Australian species, has forelegs modified into prey-capturing traps with a cleft tarsus that gives the family its common name of split-footed lacewings.

Synonyms

• split-footed lacewings

Related Terms

• Neuroptera
• Lacewings
• Myrmeleontidae
• Ascalaphidae
• raptorial foreleg
• debris-carrying larva

Usage Notes

Sometimes confused with Nymphalidae (brush-footed butterflies, order Lepidoptera) due to orthographic similarity; note the single 'i' in Nymphidae versus double 'i' in Nymphalidae. The family's Gondwanan distribution makes it of biogeographic interest. Formerly included in Myrmeleontidae or treated as a subfamily Nymphinae, now recognized as distinct based on adult and larval morphology.