Ascalaphinae is the type subfamily of the neuropteran owlfly family. Most species are found in the tropics. Their characteristic apomorphy , shared with the Ululodinae, is the ridge which divides each of their large compound eyes; both groups are thus sometimes known as split-eyed owlflies.[1]
Like the other owlflies, they are insectivores. Imagines are cumbersome fliers and lack the strong mouthparts of dragonflies (which owlflies resemble at first glance, despite being not at all closely related insects) or other decidedly predatory insects, they are restricted to small and defenseless prey. The larvae on the other hand resemble antlions in appearance and habits and are voracious ambush predators, able to tackle prey like ants that will not be eaten without a struggle.
The ascalaphine split-eyed owlflies form one of the two main lineages of living Ascalaphidae, the other being the Haplogleniinae which have unsplit eyes like their ancestors. The first fossil record of the Ascalaphinae dates to the Miocene, and the subfamily thus probably evolved in the latter half or towards the end of the Paleogene.[2]
^Jones, Joshua R. (6 October 2019). "Total‐evidence phylogeny of the owlflies (Neuroptera, Ascalaphidae) supports a new higher‐level classification". Zoologica Scripta. 48 (6): 761–782. doi:10.1111/zsc.12382.
Ascalaphinae is the type subfamily of the neuropteran owlfly family. Most species are found in the tropics. Their characteristic apomorphy , shared with...
Europe and Asia. The genus belongs to the family Ascalaphidae, subfamily Ascalaphinae. The adult is a large insect somewhat resembling a dragonfly. Its body...
is an owlfly species belonging to the family Ascalaphidae, subfamily Ascalaphinae. This rare insect is present in France, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy...
is an owlfly species belonging to the family Ascalaphidae, subfamily Ascalaphinae. This species is present in South Western Europe (France, Germany, Italy...
Ululodinae is a subfamily of owlflies. Both they and the Ascalaphinae are sometimes known as split-eyed owlflies due to the characteristic ridge that bisects...
Libelloides is a genus of owlflies belonging to the subfamily Ascalaphinae. The species of this genus are present in most of Europe. They inhabit dry meadows...
Cordulecerus is a genus of owlflies, neuropteran insects in the subfamily Ascalaphinae. Species are found in Central and South America. The ten species in this...
"New genera records of split-eyed owlflies (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae: Ascalaphinae) from Colombia". Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia. 59: 1–18. doi:10.11606/1807-0205/2019...
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