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Meropeidae Esben-Petersen 1921
Meropeidae is the most primitive family of Mecoptera, characterized by broad wings with many crossveins and the absence of ocelli. Two species are known worldwide; one (Merope tuber) occurs in the North America including Ontario, and the other species occurs in western Australia. Males have large claspers, resembling the cerci of an earwig.
Merope tuber Newman 1838
Diagnosis:
Wings broad with many crossveins. Ocelli absent. Body color pale yellow to light brown.
In Ontario M. tuber seems to be restricted to the southern part of the province, with the most northern record being Hilton Beach, near Sault Ste. Marie. Merope tuber is rare in collections, although we have specimens from almost every Ontario site at which we have run malaise traps in hardwood forests.
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