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NEUROPTERA, Ithonidae -- <Images> & <Juveniles>

The Australian Ithone fusca Newm. is a predator on various soft-bodied insects, especially scarab larvae that occur in sandy soil (Tillyard 1922). Clausen (1940) noted that other research has shown that the larvae are unable to feed on other insects and most likely obtain food from plant roots. In the United States the family is rare, being represented by one species, Oliarces clara Banks from southern California. The wingspread of this species is 35-40 mm and it resembles Scialis with bleached wings. Larvae are scarabaeiform and phytophagous.

References: Please refer to <biology.ref.htm>, [Additional references may be found at: MELVYL Library]