Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
 

Register · Log In
HomeGuideID RequestRecentFrassForumsDonateHelp
Clickable Guide
Moths Butterflies Flies Caterpillars Flies Dragonflies Flies Mantids Cockroaches Bees and Wasps Walkingsticks Earwigs Ants Termites Hoppers and Kin Hoppers and Kin Beetles True Bugs Fleas Grasshoppers and Kin Ticks Spiders Scorpions Centipedes Millipedes

Calendar
Upcoming Events

Discussion, insects and people from the 2018 BugGuide Gathering in Virginia, July 27-29

Photos of insects and people from the 2015 gathering in Wisconsin, July 10-12

Photos of insects and people from the 2014 gathering in Virginia, June 4-7.

Photos of insects and people from the 2013 gathering in Arizona, July 25-28

Photos of insects and people from the 2012 gathering in Alabama

Photos of insects and people from the 2011 gathering in Iowa

Photos from the 2010 Workshop in Grinnell, Iowa

Photos from the 2009 gathering in Washington
TaxonomyBrowse
Info
ImagesLinksBooksData
Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Antlions, Owlflies, Lacewings, Mantidflies and Allies (Neuroptera) » Lacewings, Mantidflies and Allies (Hemerobiiformia) » Spongillaflies (Sisyridae)

Family Sisyridae - Spongillaflies

Classification · Other Common Names · Explanation of Names · Numbers · Size · Identification · Life Cycle · See Also · Internet References · Works Cited
Spiffy Lacewing. Climacia areolis? - Climacia areolaris Sisyridae - Sisyra sp. Spongillafly - Sisyra vicaria Brown Lacewing or Spongillafly? - Sisyra vicaria spongillafly - Climacia areolaris Spongillafly - Climacia areolaris Sisyridae Sisyra vicaria
Classification
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)
Class Insecta (Insects)
Order Neuroptera (Antlions, Owlflies, Lacewings, Mantidflies and Allies)
Suborder Hemerobiiformia (Lacewings, Mantidflies and Allies)
Family Sisyridae (Spongillaflies)
Other Common Names
Spongeflies
Explanation of Names
Sisyridae Handlirsch 1908
Numbers
in our area, 2 genera with 3 species each(1)
Size
6-8 mm
Identification
Adults resemble brown lacewings superficially. Larvae are distinctive, with ventral abdominal gills in instars II-III, and long straight jaws(2)

Wing venation of Sisyra:
Life Cycle
Eggs are laid on vegetation over a body of fresh water with sponges. Larvae are aquatic, develop inside of, and feed on, freshwater sponges and bryozoans. The elongated mouthparts are used to pierce the cells of the sponge and ingest their contents. Adults found near larval habitat and come to lights.(3)

larva -- larval mouthparts -- pupa:
See Also
Hemerobiidae
Internet References
Taxon page(2)
key to Sisyridae of Michigan(4)
Works Cited
1.American Insects: A Handbook of the Insects of America North of Mexico
Ross H. Arnett. 2000. CRC Press.
2.Australian Faunal Directory
3.Insects: Their Natural History And Diversity: With a Photographic Guide to Insects of Eastern North America
Stephen A. Marshall. 2006. Firefly Books Ltd.
4.Bright E. (2002-2011) Aquatic Insects of Michigan
Contributed by tom murray on 4 January, 2006 - 3:41pm
Additional contributions by cotinis, ceiseman, v belov
Last updated 21 May, 2016 - 5:51pm

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2019 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by:

Printer Friendly Version 		Terms of Use
Privacy Statement
Site Map
Contact