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International audience; Babinskaiidae is an extinct lacewing family of the superfamily Myrmeleontoidea. Hitherto, ten species of seven genera are described from the Lower and mid-Cretaceous periods. Here Pseudoneliana makarkini gen. et sp. nov., a new genus and species of Babinskaiidae from the mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber is characterized, described, illustrated and its taxonomic position discussed. Based on the known palaeo-distribution of the family in Brazil and Myanmar of Gondwanian origin, and Siberia of Laurasian origin, we suggest that this family appeared much earlier than the Barremian period, its oldest fossil record.

Two new genera and three new species of the dustywings subfamily Aleuropteryginae are described from the Burmese amber (lowermost Cenomanian, mid-Cretaceous). Cycloconis maculata gen. et sp. nov. is tentatively placed in the tribe Fontenelleini and appears to be closely related to Libanoconis Engel, 2002, but it can be distinguished from the latter genus by the forks of forewing RP + MA and MP subequal in length and the trifurcated hind wing MP. Burmaleuropteryx meinanderi gen. et sp. nov. resembles Garnaconis Perrichot & Nel, 2014 (both genera with unclear placement of tribe), but can be separated from the latter genus by the forewing rp + ma-mp proximad branching point between RP and MA, the presence of forewing cua-cup, and the lack of stiff setae along distal and posterior margins of wings. Achlyoconis jiae sp. nov. is distinguished from Achlyoconis heptatrichia Engel, 2016 by the larger body size, the forewing with four pigmented spots, and the crossvein between RA and RP + MA slightly proximad branching point between forewing RP and MA. Achlyoconis heptatrichia Engel, 2016 is also re-described based on a series of new material, and its male genitalia is described in detail.

A new genus and species of Berothidae, Protoberotha minuta gen. et sp. nov., is described from mid-Cretaceous Myanmar amber. Based on the comparisons of venational characters and female genital sclerites of the new genus with those of the extant berothids, it is concluded that the new genus had a close relationship with Cyrenoberothinae, representing a basal lineage of Berothidae. The structures of the female terminalia across the extant berothids are summarized and discussed.

Libanoconis siberica sp. nov. and two specimens of uncertain affinities (Neuroptera: Coniopterygidae) are described from the Upper Cretaceous (upper Cenomanian) Nizhnyaya Agapa amber, northern Siberia. The new species is distinguished from L. fadiacra (Whalley, 1980) by the position of the crossvein 3r-m being at a right angle to both RP1 and the anterior trace of M in both wings. The validity of the genus Libanoconis is discussed. It easily differs from all other Aleuropteryginae by a set of plesiomorphic character states. The climatic conditions at high latitudes in the late Cenomanian were favourable enough for this tropical genus, hitherto known from the Gondwanan Lebanese amber. Therefore, the record of a species of Libanoconis in northern Siberia is highly likely.

Haploberotha carsteni sp. nov. (Neuroptera: Berothidae) is described from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber. It has a very similar venation to H. persephone Engel and Grimaldi, 2008, but clearly differs by the male genitalia. The simplification of the venation (as found in H. carsteni sp. nov.) likely occurred independently many times in berothids during the Mesozoic. There are at least two character states in the male genitalia of some Cretaceous berothids, which are not found in extant taxa, i.e., the presence of extremely long gonocoxites 9, which extend far beyond the ectoprocts, and the long slender ventral process of T9+ectoproct.

A new genus with a new species, Oligopsychopsis penniformis gen. et sp. nov., is described from the Upper Cretaceous Myanmar (Burmese) amber, which is assigned to the subfamily Cretanallachiinae Makarkin, 2017 for sharing the siphonate mouthparts, bipectinate antenna and an unpaired ectoproct. Revealed by the new species, some controversial key morphological characters of Cretanallachiinae are clarified, i.e. the detailed structure of mouthparts and male terminalia, which allow us to reevaluate the systematic position of Cretanallachiinae. We concluded that the Cretanallachiinae have more similarities with the psychopsoid-like insects, and are reattributed to Psychopsoidea.

Two new species of the extinct family Araripeneuridae are described from the Lower Cretaceous Crato Formation of Brazil: Caririneura macrothoracica sp. nov. and Cratoneura minor sp. nov. Caririneura damianii Martins-Neto, 1992a and C. crassatella Martins-Neto and Vulcano, 1997 are transferred to the genus Araripeneura Martins-Neto and Vulcano, 1989a. The genera Blittersdorffia Martins-Neto and Vulcano, 1989a, Pseudonymphes Martins-Neto and Vulcano, 1989a and Burmaneura Huang et al., 2016 are removed from Araripeneuridae. These genera, together with Choromyrmeleon Ren and Guo, 1996, constitute the perhaps paraphyletic “Pseudonymphidae”, which may be a stem group of Myrmeleontidae + Ascalaphidae. Pseudonymphes is a most primitive genus of Myrmeleontoidae, having trichosors at the wing apex. The family Araripeneuridae as restricted herein, is considered to comprise 15–17 Early Cretaceous species in 7–9 genera. Due to the lack of distinguishing characters, the two subfamilies Cratoalloneurinae and Cratopteryxinae are synonymised with Araripeneuridae. The forewing venation of Araripeneuridae is most similar to that of Nemopteridae, and these families might be closely related, constituting a nemopterid lineage.

The lacewing family Ithonidae is reported from the mid-Cretaceous amber of Myanmar for the first time. A new genus and species, Burmithone pennyi gen. et sp. nov., is herein described based on an almost completely preserved female specimen. The new genus exhibits a number of remarkable forewing characters, such as the proximal branches of RP vein fused with the MA vein and the peculiar configuration of MP and CuA. The systematic position of Burmithone gen. nov. is briefly discussed in comparison with other genera of Ithonidae.

The Cretaceous lacewing family Babinskaiidae comprises nine species in seven genera, of which two new genera and one new species are described herein: Parababinskaia elegans gen. et sp. nov. from the late Aptian Crato Formation of Brazil, and Pseudobabinskaia gen. nov. (with the only species Pseudobabinskaia martinsnetoi Lu et al., 2017, comb. nov.) from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber. The reduction of the veins AA2 and AA3 in the hind wing is an autapomorphy of the family. Babinskaiidae are most closely related to Nymphidae, and have probably evolved as a side branch of these. The superfamily Myrmeleontoidea is divided into two epifamilies: Nymphidoidae whose MP (or M) is long, not fused with CuA, and trichosors are present (Nymphidae, Babinskaiidae), and Myrmeleontoidae whose MP is crossvein-like, then fused with CuA, and trichosors are lost (Araripeneuridae, Ascalaphidae, Myrmeleontidae, Nemopteridae, Palaeoleontidae). The aligned crossveins 1r-m and 1m-cu in the forewing is probably the only venational autapomorphy of the Myrmeleontoidea.

Cretadilar olei gen. et sp. nov. and Burmopsychops groehni sp. nov. (Neuroptera: Dilaridae) are described from the Late Cretaceous (earliest Cenomanian/late Albian) Burmese amber. Their dilarid affinities are supported by two autapomorphies of the family: the reduction of the ligula and the presence of pectinate antennae in males. They are considered to belong to two new subfamilies, Cretanallachiinae subfam. nov. and Cretadilarinae subfam. nov., respectively. These subfamilies are easily distinguished from other dilarids (Dilarinae, Nallachiinae, and Berothellinae) by possessing siphonate mouthparts; however they strongly differ from each other. In particular, the broad gonocoxites 9 of Cretanallachiinae females are not fused to form a distinct ovipositor, and bear long gonostyli, whereas a distinct saber-like ovipositor (short, lacking gonostyli) is present in Cretadilarinae. It is assumed that Cretanallachiinae primarily fed on pollen and Cretadilarinae on the nectar of flowers.

Three new genera and two new species, namely Burmodipteromantispa jiaxiaoae gen. et sp. nov., Mantispidipterella longissima gen. et sp. nov., and Jersimantispa gen. nov., respectively from the Cretaceous amber of Myanmar and New Jersey, are herein described in the lacewing family Dipteromantispidae, which is an enigmatic group by the mantispid-like appearance combined with strongly reduced, haltere-like hind wings. The male genitalia of Dipteromantispidae is described for the first time and provides new insight for understanding the familial phylogenetic position. A key to the dipteromantispid genera is also given.

The lacewing family Babinskaiidae (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontoidea) is first reported in mid-Cretaceous amber from Myanmar. Two new genera and three new species are herein described, namely Babinskaia martinsnetoi sp. nov., Burmobabinskaia tenuis gen. et sp. nov., and Electrobabinskaia burmana gen. et sp. nov. The male and female genitalia of Babinskaiidae are described for the first time, and the genital morphology is compared with that of some related families in Myrmeleontoidea, e.g., Nymphidae and Nemopteridae. A brief discussion on the phylogenetic status of Babinskaiidae is given.

Makarkinia irmae sp. nov. (Neuroptera, Kalligrammatidae) is described for the Lower Cretaceous Crato Formation of Brazil, based on a well preserved hind wing. This is the third Kalligrammatidae species known from the Crato Formation and for the entire Gondwana. The systematic position of the genus Makarkinia is discussed in the framework provided by recent phylogenetic studies of the Kalligrammatidae, and the genus is placed in the subfamily Kalligrammatinae. The issue of the parallel evolution between the group and the Lepidoptera is revisited and critically evaluated.

Five new beaded lacewings (Neuroptera: Berothidae) are described from ca. 105 Ma Spanish amber. A new genus and species, Cantabroberotha soplaensis gen. et sp. nov., are erected based on a complete amber specimen from the El Soplao outcrop (Cantabria, northern Spain). Four indeterminate berothids based on incomplete specimens are described from Penacerrada I amber (Burgos, northern Spain). One of these provides a rare instance of an amber fossil being partially preserved as an impression rather than as a complete inclusion. This was the result of the lacewing not fully penetrating into a resin flow, its wings getting caught on the resin surface and leaving an imprint. The preservation of this delicate impression fossil allows us to infer that a low grade transport likely occurred, at least partly, during the biostratinomic phase of the genesis of the Penacerrada I amber deposit, similar to what was inferred for the El Soplao amber deposit. Moreover, one of the incomplete berothid inclusions has an indeterminate, likely immature mesostigmatan mite attached to the proximal part of its hind wing, most parsimoniously resulting from a symbiotic interaction, probably phoresy.

Two new genera with two new species in Berothidae, Maculaberotha nervosa gen. et sp. nov. and Magniberotha recurrens gen. et sp. nov., are described from Upper Cretaceous Myanmar (Burmese) amber. Based on the new specimens of the same species, we propose some venational characters as intraspecific variations, e.g., the markings on the wings and crossveins in the radial sector. We also study and compare the female genital sclerites from three genera of Haploberotha , Dasyberotha , and Jersiberotha to highlight the importance of using these characters preserved in amber for taxonomic and phylogenetic studies. Furthermore, an updated key to the berothid genera of Myanmar amber is provided.

Paradoxosisyra groehni gen. et sp. nov. (Neuroptera: Sisyridae) is described from Upper Cretaceous (lowest Cenomanian) Burmese amber as the oldest known sisyrid. The new genus is assigned to the new subfamily Paradoxosisyrinae, which is characterized by enormously long siphonate mouthparts, very long and slender hind legs, several setiferous calluses on the head and pronotum; deeply forked CuP and AA1 veins in the forewing; a complete inner gradate series of crossveins, and the RP vein with five branches in the hind wing. The greatly lengthened, laterally flattened galea and lacinia, and the labial ligula transformed into a long acute stylet are characteristic of only this species and do not occur in other insects. These siphonate mouthparts were likely used primarily to feed on flower nectar. The possibility remains, however, that the species was hematophagous (possibly facultative), feeding on the hemolymph of arthropods or the blood of such thin-skinned vertebrates as frogs.

Prosisyrina sphinga sp. nov. (Neuroptera: Sisyridae) is described from Upper Cretaceous (Santonian) Taimyr amber of northern Siberia (Yantardakh locality). The new species is preliminary assigned to this Cretaceous genus, mainly based on character states of the maxillary palpus and the hind wing vein M and crossvein 1r-m, and the presumable absence of tibial false spurs. However, the structure of the costal space and the RP branching in the hind wing indicate that it may belong to a new, closely related genus. The discovery of this second species from the locality might suggest that sisyrids were usual members of the Santonian riparian biocenoses of northern Siberia.

Two new palaeoleontid species, Baisopardus escuilliei sp. nov. and Baisopardus pumilio sp. nov., are described, based on compression fossils from the Crato Formation in northeastern Brazil. The external morphology, particularly the wing venations, are analysed and compared with all genera of Palaeoleontidae. The previously proposed synonymy of Baisopardus with Neurastenyx is discussed. Neurastenyx, proven to be a poorly known genus based on an incomplete type fossil, is limited to its sole type species as a Myrmeleontoidea incertae sedis nov. sit. Consequently the genus Baisopardus is restored and all the other species previously included in Neurastenyx are transferred into Baisopardus.

One new osmylid genus and species, Burmaleon magnificus, and one new nymphid genus and species Rafaelnymphes cratoensis are described, respectively based on inclusions in the Cretaceous Burmese amber and on a compression fossil from the Crato Formation in Brazil. The nymphid Araripenymphes seldeni, from the Crato Formation, is redescribed on the basis of a new specimen, showing possible sexual dimorphism in wing coloration, a feature extremely rare among the Neuroptera. In a recently published phylogenetic analysis of the family, the attribution to the fossil taxa (versus rejection) of the larval characters proper to the modern nymphids, has a crucial impact on the resolution of the phylogeny. The compression fossils currently attributed to the Nymphidae should be revised because their wing venation alone is not really sufficient for an accurate family attribution to Nymphidae rather than to another family of Neuroptera (viz. Osmylidae).

Makarkinia kerneri sp. nov. is described from the Lower Cretaceous Crato Formation of Brazil, based on an incomplete but very well-preserved hind wing (Neuroptera: Kalligrammatidae). The previously presumed attribution of the genus is confirmed, based on the diagnostic characters of its wing venation (e.g., dense crossvenation; the anteriorly directed branches of MP) and the presence of a distinct eye-spot on the wing. Makarkinia is the only American representative and youngest known genus of Kalligrammatidae. With an estimated wing length of 100–160 mm, it has the largest wings amongst all fossil and extant Neuroptera.

A new genus and two new species of Dipteromantispidae, an extinct raptorial family of Mantispoidea, are described from mid-Cretaceous (lowermost Cenomanian) Myanmar amber. The forewing of Paradipteromantispa polyneura gen. et sp. nov. possesses trichosors distally, bifurcate humeral veinlet, 1ma-mp connecting RP + MA and MP1, which are distinctive but probably plesiomorphic character states in Dipteromantispidae. The new genus also shares some characters with Dipteromantispa brevisubcosta Makarkin, Yang & Ren, 2013, i.e. the large body size, the medially dilated forewing costal space, and the forewing 1ma-mp distad the first branching point of MP. Kurtodipteromantispa xiai sp. nov. is separated from K. zhuodei Li & Liu, 2020 by the absence of forewing rp-ma and 2ma-mp, and the male genitalia with posterolaterally protruding tergum 9. Based on new materials with well-preserved forelegs, some fine structures on foreleg previously unknown in dipteromantispids are reported. Our finding provides new morphological evidence for understanding the placement of Dipteromantispidae in Mantispoidea.

Two new species of green lacewings from the Lower Cretaceous of China, Mesypochrysa binervis sp. nov. and Mesypochrysa pusilla sp. nov., are described. Both new species are assigned to the extinct Chrysopidae subfamily Limaiinae. Mesypochrysa represents the majority of Limaiinae, containing nearly 20 species from the Jurassic and Cretaceous. The two new species share more characters with the Cretaceous species of the genus, which are discussed in detail in this study. In addition, Mesypochrysa is compared briefly with the other genera of the subfamily.

Two new genera and five new spices of the lacewing family Berothidae from the mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber are described. Cornoberotha gen. nov. with three new species (C. anomala sp. nov., C. aspoeckae sp. nov., and C. monogona sp. nov.) and Dolichoberotha gen. nov. with two new species (D. burmana sp. nov. and D. bifurcata sp. nov.) are both closely related to Ansoberotha Yang, Shi & Ren, 2019 by having the strongly elongate antennae. Frontal horns are first found in Berothidae. The male genitalia in these “long antennae” berothids retain the separation of tergum 9 and ectoprocts and the absence of bristles on the gonocoxites 10 complex, which are plesiomorphic, while their female genitalia possess some apomorphic character states, such as the paired sternum 7 and the presence of hypocaudae, which are shared by the higher berothid subfamilies, e.g. Nosybinae and Berothinae. Accordingly, the presently described berothids probably represent the stem-group of higher groups of Berothidae.

A new species of Araripeneuridae Cratoneura cuneata sp. nov. and an undetermined species Cratoneura sp. are described from the Upper Cretaceous (lowermost Cenomanian) Burmese amber. They can be assigned to this family by the typical venation of forewing, and different from other species of the genus by the wing venation such as forewing ScP + RA veinlets not forked, few crossveins among MP + CuA branches. The relationship of genera Allopteroneura and Cratoneura are discussed.

Hemeroberotha sinefurca gen. et sp. nov. (Neuroptera: Hemerobiidae) is described from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber. It is particularly remarkable for its very short 19-segmented antennae, the apically obtuse terminal segment of the maxillary palpus, the single RP in the forewing, all femora covered with very long thick setae, and elongated (mainly paired) setae on the ventro-distal margins of its tarsomeres. The genus Hemeroberotha probably represents a specialized side branch of basal hemerobiids.

Cretanallachius magnificus gen. et sp. nov., first Mesozoic and earliest record of the Dilaridae (Neuroptera), is described from the Cretaceous Burmese amber. Its putative closest relative is the recent subfamily Nallachiinae known by the sole genus Nallachius.

New fossil spongillaflies (Neuroptera: Sisyridae) are described from Upper Cretaceous (Santonian) Taimyr amber of northern Siberia: Prosisyrina sukachevae gen. et sp. nov. from the Yantardakh locality, and Prosisyrina sp. from the Ugolyak locality. These are the first confident sisyrid occurrences in the Mesozoic. Prosisyrina gen. nov. is most closely related to the extant tropical genus Sisyrina, and to a lesser extent the Eocene Paleosisyra. The fossil records of Sisyridae, freshwater sponges and bryozoans are reviewed, and their associations discussed. These Santonian Taimyr sisyrids reasonably imply the possible presence of Spongillina in fresh water near these localities, although freshwater sponges are yet not recorded from the Mesozoic of Eurasia.