INTRODUCTION

The biology of the species in the order Neuroptera is generally poorly known. In the species of Coniopterygidae and Hemerobiidae, data on the plant substrate specificity are very limited or completely unknown in many taxa, with the majority of existing records being limited to Holarctic species. The bestknown fauna is the European one, where there are many data on the capture of numerous species on different plants. However, there is little published information on the autoecology of Coniopterygidae (Meinander, 1972, 1990; Aspöck et al., 1980) and Hemerobiidae (Hinke, 1975; Laffranque & Canard, 1975; Miermont & Canard, 1975; Neuenschwander, 1975, 1976; Samson & Blood, 1979; Garland, 1981; New, 1984), and ecological studies on both families are very scarce (see references in Aspöck et al., 1980 and New, 1989).

In contrast, the biology of the species in the family Chrysopidae is relatively well known. Data on the preferences of green lacewings for plant substrates are very abundant in many taxa, with the majority of existing records likewise being limited to Holarctic species. The best-known fauna is also the European one, where there are many data on the capture of numerous species on different plants, and also there are many articles on the autoecology of chrysopids (see references in Aspöck et al., 1980; Canard et al., 1984; New, 1989).

With reference to the Iberian fauna of these three families, there is apparently much information about the faunistics in the numerous papers published by L. Navás during the early part of this century. However, these references are very unreliable and should not be considered due to the many misidentifications detected, chiefly in Coniopterygidae and Hemerobiidae (Monserrat, 1984, 1986a, 1986b, 1990).