palaeodictyopteran

Palaeodictyopteran is an extinct order of insects that lived from the Carboniferous to the Permian periods. These insects were characterized by their long, slender bodies and two pairs of large, membranous wings. Unlike modern insects, palaeodictyopterans possessed a specialized mouthpart structure, often described as a piercing-sucking proboscis, which suggests they fed on plant sap or other liquid sources. Their wings were typically held roof-like over their bodies when at rest. Many species were relatively large for insects of their time, with some having wingspans exceeding 20 centimeters. Fossil evidence indicates that palaeodictyopterans inhabited a wide range of environments, from terrestrial forests to more humid, swampy areas. Their life cycles are not fully understood, but it is believed they underwent incomplete metamorphosis, with nymphal stages that resembled smaller, wingless adults. The order is divided into several families, each with distinct morphological features. The decline and eventual extinction of palaeodictyopterans are thought to be linked to environmental changes occurring at the end of the Permian period, potentially including shifts in vegetation and climate.