Stenosmylus tenuis (Walker, 1853)
Osmylid Lacewing
 (formerly known as Osmylus tenuis)
OSMYLIDAE,   NEUROPTERA
  
Don Herbison-Evans
(donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
and
Stella Crossley

The larvae of Lacewings look rather like big ants, with huge jaws but with no waist between the thorax and abdomen. They are carnivorous, eating other insects, like caterpillars and aphids. The larvae normally live under the broken bark of trees. They rest by day, and hunt by night.

They pupate in a silk cocoon under the tree bark.


(Photo: courtesy of John Giacon, Belconnen, Australian Capital Territory)

Adult Lacewings are not moths or butterflies, but are in a totally different insect order: NEUROPTERA. The forewings of Stenosmylus tenuis are transparent with complex veins. The insects have a wingspan of about 4 cms.

The species has been found over south-eastern Australia, including

  • Queensland,
  • New South Wales,
  • Australian Capital Territory,
  • Victoria,
  • Tasmania,
  • South Australia, and
  • Western Australia.

    Further reading:

    Francis Walker,
    Sialidae-Neuopterides,
    List of the Specimens of Neuropterous Insects in the Collection of the British Museum,
    Volume 2 (1853), p. 234, No. 4.

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    (written 14 April 2024)