''Chaemoptera'' is a genus in the
Nemopteridae
Nemopteridae, the spoonwings, are a family of neuropteran insects. They are also called thread-winged antlions. They are found in the Ethiopian, Palearctic, Australasian and Neotropical realms but absent in North America (though a fossil has been ...
(the spoonwing family of insects). The genus, which consists of three species, is wholly confined to
Western Australia
Western Australia (commonly abbreviated as WA) is a state of Australia occupying the western percent of the land area of Australia excluding external territories. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Southern Ocean to th ...
.
The genus was first described by
William Forsell Kirby
William Forsell Kirby (14 January 1844 – 20 November 1912) was an English entomologist and folklorist.
Life
He was born in Leicester. He was the eldest son of Samuel Kirby, who was a banker. He was educated privately, and became interested ...
in 1900,
[
A key feature of ''Chasmoptera'' is the "elaborate extended hindwings, with apical dilations arranged in a “ribbon” or “spoon” shape".]
Description
Kirby describes the genus as follows (but only lists the one species, '' Chasmoptera huttii''):
Later work uses both wing and genital morphology to distinguish both species and genera.[
]
Species
*'' Chasmoptera huttii'' (Westwood, 1848)
*'' Chasmoptera mathewsi'' Koch, 1967
*'' Chasmoptera superba'' Tillyard, 1925
Further reading
*
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q10448607
Neuroptera
Taxa described in 1900