Explanation of Names
Author is
Burmeister 1839.
Apparently from Greek
sisyr (usually as
sisyra, sometimes
sisyro), meaning a garment of skin
(1). An article entitled, New Zealand’s most enigmatic moth – what we know about
Titanomis sisyrota (
PDF) gives the meaning as "shaggy garment".
Numbers
Nearctica lists 3 species of Sisyra, but Index to the Neuropterida Species of the World says only two spp. are valid north of Mexico.
Range
Per Index to the Neuropterida Species of the World:
Sisyra apicalis Banks, 1908 - Distribution: se USA (FL, GA, LA, MS, TX), Mexico (QR) south to Brazil, West Indies (Cuba)
Sisyra vicaria (Walker, 1853) - Distribution: s. Canada (BC, NS, ON, PQ), USA (widespread)
Habitat
Members of this family are found in or near lakes and streams harboring the fresh water sponge
(2)Food
Larval members of this family live in and feed upon the fresh water sponge, Spongilla fragilis, among others
(2)See Also
Sympherobius umbratus
Sympherobius occidentalis
Note: the yellow v-shaped mark on the mesothorax is diagnostic for Sympherobius occidentalis, per John D. Oswald
Contributed by
tom murray on 4 January, 2006 - 3:47pm
Additional contributions by
cotinis,
Mike QuinnLast updated 30 June, 2009 - 7:17am
