| DESCRIPTION |
 |
Prothorax elongate; front legs rise from posterior end of prothorax and are
similar to other legs; females have a long ovipositor. Two families occur
in North America: Inocelliidae and Raphidiidae. Biology: Adults and larvae
are predaceous; larvae are usually found under bark.
Families of Raphidioptera
Raphidioptera are common where trees prevail. Adults have an elongate pronotum, giving it a snakelike appearance. certain
snake-like quality. Larvae are arboreal predators, feeding on insects found on or beneath the bark of tree trunks.
Pupation occurs beneath the surface of bark, and pupae can be quite active. Larvae and pupae are often encountered when
residents bring firewood inside a home. As the wood warms up, the larvae and pupae begin to move around the house. Adults
are also predators on soft-bodied insects. The two families can be rather easily separated: Inocellidae have much longer,
thicker antennae; the pterostigma (a thickened opaque spot on the wing) is much darker and more pronounced; and ocelli are absent.