Overview
Formerly placed in the Sisyridae, but recognised as a distinct family by Zwick (1967). The small (fore wing length to about 7 mm), delicate adults differ from those of sisyrids by having some fore wing costal cross-veins forked, and by usually having distinct nygmata. Generally adults have been found in damp habitats, often bordering streams and in dense forests. Larvae occur in fast-flowing streams and in moist litter.
Distribution
The 3 small genera, one each in the western Palaearctic region, Asia and Australia, are very similar, and the aquatic larva of
Austroneurorthus
from south-eastern Australia is almost indistinguishable from that of the European
Neurorthus
.