The phylogenetic position of the Rhachiberothinae and the basal sister-group relationships within the Mantispidae (Neuroptera)

Abstract. The Rhachiberothinae, hitherto regarded as belonging to the Berothidae, are shown to be Mantispidae. They form the sister-group of the Symphrasinae + Drepanicinae + Calomantispinae + Mantispinae. Within the Symphrasinae, Trichoscelia is the sister-taxon of Anchieta + Plega. The raptorial fore legs of the Rhachiberothinae and the remaining Mantispidae, sometimes considered the result of convergent evolution, are one of their synapomorphies. The former inclusion of the Rhachiberothinae in the Berothidae was primarily based on symplesiomorphies; the Berothidae without the Rhachiberothinae are monophyletic.