Ascalochrysidae – a new lacewing family from the Mesozoic of China (Insecta: Neuroptera: Chrysopoidea)

Ascalochrysa megaptera gen. et sp. nov. is described from the Yixian Formation (Lower Cretaceous) of China. It is treated as belonging to the new family Ascalochrysidae fam. nov., closely related to Mesochrysopidae but easily distinguished from it in the hindwing venation features: e.g., numerous subcostal crossveins; branches of Rs widely, irregularly spaced and deeply branched; crossvenation rich, irregular; convex vein-like fold (‘M5’) before concave CuA present. The presence of well-developed ‘M5’ in the hind wing is interpreted to be plesiomorphic condition within the order. Ascalochrysidae are considered the sister group of Mesochrysopidae (s.l.).