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Order Aquatic Neuroptera

(Spongillaflies)

Soil & Water Conservation Society of Metro Halifax (SWCSMH)

Updated: October 09, 2013

Linnean system of hierarchical classification (Williams & Feltmate, 1992):

Superphylum Arthropoda

(jointed-legged metazoan animals [Gr, arthron = joint; pous = foot])

Phylum Entoma

Subphylum Uniramia

(L, unus = one; ramus = branch, referring to the unbranched nature of the appendages)

Superclass Hexapoda

(Gr, hex = six, pous = foot)

Class Insecta

(L, insectum meaning cut into sections)

Subclass Ptilota

Infraclass Neopterygota

Introduction

The order Neuroptera is closely related to the order Megaloptera in the infraclass Neoptera, division Endopterygota. Only 1 of 40 families of this order-- Sisyridae-- has aquatic larvae. Two genera of the Sisyridae occur in North America, both having terrestrial eggs, pupae, and adults. Larvae are highly specialized predators on freshwater sponges; thus they are called spongillaflies.

Life History

They are holometabolous. Adults live about 2 weeks. Sisyrids may go through 2 to 5 generations each year depending on ambient temperature and food conditions. They overwinter as third-instar larvae or prepupae. The larvae pass through 3 instars before swimming to the shore and crawling out onto the bank.

Habitat and Ecological preference

Sisyrid larvae live exclusively in association with freshwater sponges, either on the surface or in the body cavities of their hosts. They are classified as climbers, clingers, or burrowers.

While the habitat of freshwater sponges and, thus, of sisyrids, ranges from cool, clean lakes and streams to relatively polluted ponds, the former is more typical.

Feeding

Larval sisyrid mouthparts are highly modified for piercing the tissues and sucking the contents of sponges. Adult spongillaflies feed on nectar and pollen.

Indicator value

Sisyrid larvae live exclusively in association with freshwater sponges, either on the surface or in the body cavities of their hosts. They are classified as climbers, clingers, or burrowers. While the habitat of freshwater sponges and, thus, of sisyrids, ranges from cool, clean lakes and streams to relatively polluted ponds, the former is more typical (Pennak, 1978)

Only 2 genera occur, Climacia and Sisyra. Their life cycle is similar to the megalopterans. Neither has indicator value (Mackie, 2001).

References and web URLs:

Peckarsky, B.L., P.R. Fraissinet, M.A. Penton, and D.J. Conklin, Jr. 1990. Freshwater Macroinvertebrates of Northeastern North America. Cornell Univ. Press. xii, 442pp.

Mackie, G.L. 2001. Applied Aquatic Ecosystem Concepts. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company. xxv, 744 pp. ISBN 0-7872-7490-9

Pennak, Robert W. 1978. Fresh-Water Invertebrates of the United States. Second Edition. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN: 0-471-04249-8. xviii, 803p.

Wetzel, R.G. 1983. Limnology. 2nd ed. Saunders College Publishing. Xii, 767pp, R81, I10.

Williams, D.D., and Feltmate, B.W. 1992. Aquatic Insects. CAB International. ISBN: 0-85198-782-6. xiii, 358p.

Mandaville, S.M. 1999. Bioassessment of Freshwaters Using Benthic Macroinvertebrates-A Primer. First Ed. Project E-1, Soil & Water Conservation Society of Metro Halifax. viii, Chapters I-XXVII, Appendices A-D. 244p.

For the entire Report, download all the files in the subdirectory, Primer1
Chapter XI: Order Aquatic Neuroptera (spongillaflies)

Tree of Life

New York Department State of Environmental Conservation

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