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Family Sisyridae - Spongilla Lacewings

Cocoon with hair net - Climacia Caddisfly - Climacia areolaris 041212BL1 - Climacia areolaris Brown Lacewing or Spongillafly? - Sisyra vicaria apparent Sisyridae for SW US on BG - Climacia californica NJ Climacia areolaris - Climacia areolaris Brown lacewing with a red head and black antennae - Climacia areolaris Brown Lacewing - Sisyra vicaria
Classification
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)
Class Insecta (Insects)
Order Neuroptera (Antlions, Lacewings, and Allies)
Suborder Hemerobiiformia (Lacewings and Allies)
Family Sisyridae (Spongilla Lacewings)
Other Common Names
Spongillaflies, Spongeflies, Sponge Lacewings
Explanation of Names
Sisyridae Handlirsch, 1908
Numbers
2 genera with 3 species each in our area(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