coniopterygid

plural coniopterygids

1. biologyAny insect of the family Coniopterygidae of dustywings.

   Coniopterygids in the genus Conwentzia may prey on spider mites, but dense webbing can be detrimental to survival of larvae.

   2011, Marjorie A. Hoy, Agricultural Acarology: Introduction to Integrated Mite Management, page 201

   2 more examples

   The coniopterygid, Conwentzia africana Meinander, is considered to be one of the most important predators of B.^([Bemisia]) tabaci in East and southern Africa, and has been observed feeding directly on nymphs in Malawi and Kenya (D. Gerling, personal records) as well as in Uganda (Legg, 1995).

   2003, J. Legg, D. Gerling, P. Neuenschwander, “6: Biological Control of Whiteflies in Sub-Saharan Africa”, in Peter Neuenschwander, Christian Borgemeister, Juergen Langewald, editors, Biological Control in IPM Systems in Africa, page 92

   Because of their small size and cryptic nature, coniopterygids are generally overlooked and thus considered rare.[…]The life histories of very few coniopterygid species are known.

   2009, Catherine A. Tauber, Maurice J. Tauber, Gilberto S. Albuquerque, “Neuroptera (Antlions, Lacewings)”, in Vincent H. Resh, Ring T. Cardé, editors, Encyclopedia of Insects, page 705

   Synonyms: dusty lacewing, dustywing