Snakeflies
Order Rhaphidioptera
The Snakeflies (Order Rhaphidioptera) includes 7 species across 3 families and 3 genera in our directory.
About Snakeflies
Rhaphidioptera (snakeflies) includes ~260 described species. Named for their elongated 'neck' (prothorax) that gives them a snake-like appearance. They are exclusively found in the Northern Hemisphere.
Economic Impact
Snakeflies are beneficial predators that feed on aphids, bark beetles, and other pest insects on trees. They are considered natural pest control agents in orchards and forests.
Ecological Role
Snakefly fossils date to the Jurassic period (~150 mya) - they once had a worldwide distribution but are now restricted to temperate regions. Both larvae and adults are predatory, hunting under bark and in leaf litter.
Families in Rhaphidioptera (3)
Species in Rhaphidioptera (7)
Agulla bicolor
Agulla bicolor
Identification: Dr Oswald says, "Only one snakefly species is known to occur in TX: Agulla (Agulla) bicolor ."
Alena minuta
Alena minuta
our only representative of subg. Aztekoraphidia Aspöck & Aspöck 1970 that includes several more spp. in Mesoamerica
Negha inflata
Negha inflata
Negha longicornis
Negha longicornis
Agulla unicolor
Agulla unicolor
Negha meridionalis
Negha meridionalis
Snakefly
Agulla adnixa