How do the heads and thoraxes of snakeflies differ from those of lacewings?

Snakeflies (order Raphidiodea) and lacewings (order Neuroptera) exhibit distinct differences in the morphology of their heads and thoraxes:

• Head Shape and Orientation: The head of a snakefly is elongated and tapers posteriorly, with mouthparts that are prognathous (directed forward). In contrast, lacewings typically possess a squarish or transverse head with hypognathous mouthparts (directed downward).12
• Thoracic Structure: A defining characteristic of the snakefly is its elongated, cylindrical prothorax, which creates a long, slender neck. Lacewings do not possess this elongated neck structure; their bodies are generally described as slender, with the head closely set on the prothorax in many species.314

These structural differences are key taxonomic features used to distinguish between these groups of insects.5