Genus Toxonevra

Toxoneura

Palloptera (some sources consider Palloptera a synonym of Toxonevra; other sources consider it a separate genus).

Toxonevra was previously widely misspelled Toxoneura.

Author of genus is Macquart 1835.

From Greek toxo, bow, plus nevra, that likely a transliteration of Greek neura-, neuro- (νευρο), nerve, sinew, or cord (1) (see also a discussion here). The wings and wing veins, or "nerves", are shaped like a bow.

The most common genus in this family in North America.

4 species in North America, listed under Palloptera at nearctica.com.

body length 4-6 mm

Wings usually conspicuously longer than abdomen and with dark markings; proboscis short and thick; ovipositor with a non-retractile sheath.

As of September 2009, all of the individuals posted to BugGuide have a similar appearance: eyes orange; thorax light brown; abdomen brownish or grayish; wing clear with wide black band along costa and wrapping around apex, and a wide black cross-band two-thirds from base that touches hind margin.

Throughout North America.

Adults found on flowers and low-hanging branches in shady habitats.

Larvae found under bark, and in flower buds and stems.

BugGuide records for adults in July through September.

Larvae either eat plants, are saprophagous, or are predaceous on beetle larvae in the families Cerambycidae and Curculionidae (subfamily Scolytinae).