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The Diversity of Spoon-Winged and Thread-Winged Lacewing Larvae Today and in Deep Time-An Expanded View
Laura Buchner1, Simon Linhart1, Gideon T Haug2
1Biocenter, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Großhaderner Str. 2, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany.
Insects
|January 28, 2026
Summary
New lacewing larvae fossils from 100-million-year-old amber reveal greater ancient morphological diversity in antlion-like insects. These findings highlight convergent evolution
Area of Science:
- Paleontology
- Entomology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Lacewing larvae (Neuroptera), particularly antlion larvae, are known predators.
- Antlion-like lacewing larvae exhibit unique characteristics, divided into Crocinae (long-necked) and Nemopterinae (stout-bodied) subfamilies.
- The fossil record for these larvae is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report and describe newly discovered lacewing larvae from Cretaceous Kachin amber.
- To expand the understanding of Nemopteridae larval diversity in the fossil record.
- To compare fossil larvae with extant species to infer evolutionary patterns.
Main Methods:
- Discovery and morphological examination of lacewing larvae preserved in ~100-million-year-old Kachin amber, Myanmar.
- Quantitative comparative analyses between fossil specimens and extant Nemopteridae larvae.
- Assessment of morphological diversity and evolutionary convergence based on fossil evidence.
Main Results:
- Description of new lacewing larvae (Nemopteridae) from Kachin amber, significantly enriching the fossil dataset.
- Comparative analyses suggest potentially greater past morphological diversity in these larvae than previously indicated, though results are less conclusive than in related groups.
- Evidence supports the significant role of convergent evolution in the diversification of antlion-like lacewing larvae.
Conclusions:
- The discovery provides crucial insights into the ancient diversity and evolution of Nemopteridae.
- The findings underscore the importance of fossil discoveries in reconstructing evolutionary history.
- Convergent evolution is confirmed as a key driver shaping the morphology of these predatory insect larvae.
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