known species family referred swift ghost common associated endemic australia identified populous temperate prevalent larvae feed primarily roots trees females lay eggs flight scattering fashion larvae live eighteen months underground adult survive approximately week feed preyed number predators including bats brown colour overall males paler identifying silver bars male wings prominent female dark margins male adults generally smaller established practices shown favour lead considered pest species resulting damage caused trees feeds considered significant taxonomy naming fourteen species currently identified genus found exclusively australia species described australian described species current provided etymology specific epithet based species description specimens including male female state park victoria neck tasmania member family considered primitive possessing features indicative earlier evolutionary development adult archaic wing mechanism primitive characteristics include adults lack large arrangement female distribution habitat endemic region specifically inhabit new_south_wales tasmania victoria species habitat temperate primary secondary stage feeds roots trees thought economic impact timber industry life cycle behaviour female lay eggs scattering flight eggs released larvae hatch eggs leaf litter forest floor begin search suitable host roots number period stage unknown field observations suggesting stage eighteen months larvae feed primarily root systems species tree mountain ash species present old growth forests dominant forests contributing success habitat forming simple vertical tunnels lined silk subterranean emerging tunnel entrances millimetres diameter covered silk leaf litter centimetres deep depth usually tap lateral roots trees feed growth produced tree site injury larvae root causing death partial allowing root continue functioning albeit subterranean habitat larvae generally provides protection predation larvae flies larvae usually hosted beetles discovered males strongly attracted lights forming dusk notably rains autumn late summer females use attract males mating primitive species lack adults unable feed lifespan winged creatures short lasting approximately week barring predation predation commonly bats animals spiders cats occasionally consume contribute brief lifespan ecology study measuring impact practice biodiversity found species forests previously earlier study conducted regions southern tasmania examined relationship reached conclusion feeding habit larvae roots species responsible abundance forests trees typical logged areas success lack dependence decaying vegetation characteristic genus genera fared forest crowns infected exhibited consistent indication root disturbance trees studied appearing healthy average size secondary forest demonstrated slow growth stands tendency attributed significant root crown competition trees appeared effect plants caused reduction reliable indicator root result influences established practices tasmania favouring species lead extensive damage pest concerns potential effect threat roots caused feeding provide ideal sites establishment root causing fungi larvae depart root system areas roots past feeding damage found cases found attacking roots damaged locations cases decay noted attributed unidentified morphology identification larvae vary size colour growth grouped small large small generally millimetres inches long overall grey light brown head capsule wide large grey dark green brown long wide brown head capsule females larger males wingspan male adult approximately female specimen collected wingspan recorded female males females feature white bars bars male wings prominent dark margins female body colour usually darker brown male pale brown noted grey brown female collected short antennae unusually primitive lack functional non feeding possess morphological features considered primitive gap distinct wings covered scale like hairs base small lobe joins flight females configuration external groove transferred mating opening
Abantiades latipennis