Negha meridionalis
This record describes Negha meridionalis (species). Recorded family: Inocelliidae. Recorded order: Rhaphidioptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wikipedia reference for Negha meridionalis: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Negha_meridionalis.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Rhaphidioptera (Snakeflies)
- Family
- Inocelliidae (Square-headed Snakeflies)
- Genus
- Negha
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Southern California and Baja California Norte. Aspöck(1988) listed 23 locality records from specimen labels...many somewhat vague (i.e. on the order of many miles). The alphabetical icons shown at this Acme Mapper link were placed in the vicinity of the given locality names, per their order of presentation in Aspöck(1988).
About Snakeflies: the wider group
Order-level background for Rhaphidioptera, the group containing Negha meridionalis. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
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.
Ecological role of the group
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.
Economic and practical significance of the group
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.
Recorded sources for this group: Entomological research, paleontology. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Negha meridionalis (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Devin Carroll; Additional contributions by Aaron Schusteff , PaleoJon