The state of the art of the Brazilian Megaloptera (Insecta: Neuropterida)

Abstract

The present study provides a comprehensive overview of the Megaloptera fauna in Brazil. A total of 27 species—25 extant and two extinct—distributed into two families, Corydalidae and Sialidae, and six genera, are recorded from Brazil. The historical timeline of Megalopteran records in Brazil spans 180 years, from 1842 to 2022, and unfolds into three distinct periods: the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century dominated by European authors, the second half of the 20th century dominated by Mexican and US-born authors, and the 21st century dominated by Brazilian authors. Currently, about 75% of the type specimens of Brazilian Mega-loptera are housed in foreign institutions. Among Brazilian states, Minas Gerais boasts the highest number of megalopteran records, with eight, while eight states have no records. The biome of Atlantic Forest exhibits the greatest richness of Megaloptera, with 15 species, whereas Pampas and Pantanal lack records of the order. The Amazon Basin leads with ten recorded species, although three Brazilian hydrographic basins remain with no records. Impressively, only ten Brazilian Megaloptera species have known immature stages.