Dustywing - Family Coniopterygidae

This tiny (2-3 mm long) insect was attracted to my moth light last summer. It was dingy-white/waxy with reddish eyes, and it held its wings tent-like.

Habitat: Rural area at night

comments (6)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Weird! Looks like plant or leafhopper but the antennae make no sense. Very nymph-like, right? Posted 6 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  I agree about the antennae. At first, I thought micro moth, then plant/leafhopper, then thrip. I really don't know. I'm going to post on bugguide and also search my ID books to see if I can find anything close. Posted 6 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    I asked Arp to have a look at this one, to see if we can perhaps get a starting point, like an order. Posted 6 years ago
  2. 1. Christine Young
      
      Lion
      
      I just got an ID for family - Coniopterygidae. They are neuropterans. I don't think I'll be able to get to genus level without a good shot of the wing venation though, which I don't have. Posted 6 years ago
    2. 1. Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        Nice, at least we know what it is! Lol, first thing Wikipedia says about that family is that identifying them is nearly impossible without a microscope. Posted 6 years ago
      2. Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Bummer. I figured as much. It would have been great to have an exact ID though. Posted 6 years ago

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