The first fossil mantis lacewing (Neuroptera: Mantispidae) from Australia

Mantispidae is a cosmopolitan family of neuropteran insects, with approximately 395 extant species (Ohl et al., 2004; Jepson, 2015; Engel et al., 2018; Li et al., 2023). The family includes some of the most distinctive of lacewings owing to their convergent traits with mantises (Mantodea), complete with elongate prothoraces, prominent and large compound eyes on a moveable head, and powerful raptorial forelegs. Indeed, species of the family are referred to as mantis lacewings or mantid lacewings owing to the considerable similarity. As one would suspect, adults are predatory on a variety of small-bodied arthropods, typically hunting during dusk or night (Snyman et al., 2020). Larvae are also predators, although some are specialised for particular prey (e.g., subfamily Symphrasinae), while those of the nominate subfamily Mantispinae are ectoparasitic on spider egg cases (Redborg, 1998). Extant Mantispidae are found on every continent except Antarctica but show their highest diversity and geographical distribution in Australia and the Americas (Fig. 1A).