Neuropterida comprises about 6 430 extant and 930 fossil species distributed all over the world, except in Antarctica. In South America, 919 extant species of 135 genera in 13 families of Neuroptera and Megaloptera − 15 % of the world's diversity − have been recorded so far. With regard to fossils in the region, 91 species of 53 genera in 19 families of Glosselytrodea, Raphidioptera, Neuroptera and Megaloptera − 10 % of the world's diversity − are known to date.