Beaded lacewings – a pictorial identification key to the genera, their biogeographics and a phylogentic analysis (Insecta: Neuroptera: Berothidae)

Abstract

The present paper comprises the first illustrated key for the genera of the Berothidae. Distribution maps for all genera are provided and distribution areas are discussed. A phylogenetic analysis based on the matrix of morphological characters of Aspöck and Nemeschkal (1998) using additional taxa and a modified approach concerning the homology of the genital sclerites (Aspöck and Aspöck 2008) yielded the following conflicting results: (i) The Trichomatinae are nested within the Nosybinae – which is considered an implausible position. (ii) Within the Berothinae, the genus Podallea appeared as the sister group of Asadeteva + Nodalla, whereas previously it was the sister group of the Isoscelipteron clade. In addition, the phylogenetic relevance of a peculiar phenomenon concerning the sclerites of the seventh abdominal segment of the females is discussed.