Amphiesmenoptera
Amphiesmenoptera is an insect superorder, established by S. G. Kiriakoff, but often credited to Willi Hennig in his revision of insect taxonomy for two sister orders: Lepidoptera and Trichoptera. In 2017, a third fossil order was added to the group, the Tarachoptera.
Trichoptera and Lepidoptera share a number of derived characters which demonstrate their common descent:
- Females, rather than males, are heterogametic.
- Dense setae are present in the wings.
- There is a particular venation pattern on the forewings.
- Larvae have mouth structures and glands to make and manipulate silk.
Amphiesmenoptera are thought to be the sister group of Antliophora, a proposed superorder comprising Diptera, Siphonaptera and Mecoptera. Together, Amphiesmenoptera and Antliophora compose the group Mecopterida.