Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Formerly Raphidioidea, a suborder of Neuroptera.
Numbers
Two families,
Raphidiidae, with two nearctic genera (
Agulla and
Alena) and 18 species, and
Inocelliidae, one nearctic genus (
Negha) with three species
(1).
Identification
Similar to
Neuroptera but with elongated
prothorax. No modification of front legs as in
Mantispidae.
Female snakeflies can be easily distinguished from the males by the presence of a conspicuously long and flexible
ovipositor, sometimes mistaken as a "tail" or "stinger".
male
female
Food
Both larvae and adults are predatory. Adults typically prefer aphids but may eat a wide variety of arthropods.
See Also
Related groups in Superorder Neuropterida:
Megaloptera - Alderflies, Dobsonflies, and Fishflies
Raphidioptera - Snakeflies
Neuroptera - Antlions, Lacewings and Allies
Internet References
ubc.ca Biodiversity Checklist of the Raphidioptera of British Columbia
Wikipedia--
Snakefly--good description and systematics information.
Video clip by Sean McCann showing the interesting locomotion of a snakefly larva
