Split-eyed
Guides
Ascalaphinae
split-eyed owlflies, owlflies
Ascalaphinae is the type subfamily of the owlfly family Myrmeleontidae (order Neuroptera), distinguished by the diagnostic apomorphy of a ridge dividing each large compound eye—hence 'split-eyed owlflies.' This trait is shared with the subfamily Ululodinae. The subfamily is predominantly tropical in distribution and represents one of two main lineages of living Ascalaphidae, the other being Haplogleniinae with unsplit eyes. The first fossil record dates to the Miocene, suggesting Paleogene origin.