Few comprehensive estimates of green lacewing higher-level phylogeny have been published, either based on morphology (e.g., Brooks and Barnard 1990; Winterton and Brooks 2002) or on DNA sequence data (e.g., Winterton and de Freitas 2006; Haruyama et al. 2008). Consequently detailed knowledge of subfamilial, tribal or generic relationships within Chrysopidae remains poorly understood. This is particularly true of our understanding of Belonopterygini phylogeny. Brooks and Barnard (1990) suggested that the tribe represented the sister to all other Chrysopinae, as members display numerous plesiomorphic characteristics. They also identified a number of genitalic features shared by both Belonopterygini and Leucochrysini which support a sister group relationship between the two tribes, a hypothesis also supported (along with Ankylopterygini) by DNA sequence data (Winterton and de Freitas 2006). Belonopterygini are differentiated from other Chrysopinae by (1) the relative distal placement of the basal subcostal crossvein, (2) broad pronotum, (3) thick apical palpal segment, (4) relatively broad flagellomeres, (5) wing cell c1 longer than c2, (6) male terminalia typically with parameres, and (7) female terminalia with praegenitale usually present (Brooks 1984; Brooks and Barnard 1990). In Chrysopidae, when the parameres articulate with the gonarcus they are referred to as entoprocesses (Adams 1962; Tjeder 1966). The homology of these structures is not confirmed in all taxa though, as in at least Abachrysa Banks, both are present (Brooks and Barnard 1990). In Belonopterygini the parameres are a distinctive component of the male genitalic armature; they do not articulate with the gonarcus and are partially fused medially. The gonarcus is often arched and in some genera non-articulating lateral processes termed gonocornua are present (e.g., Nesochrysa Navás) (Brooks and Barnard 1990), presumably analogous to entoprocesses. Generic concepts within Belonopterygini are largely defined (among other characters) based on the shape of the wing cell im and genitalic complement (e.g., presence/absence of parameres, entoprocesses and praegenitale). Although lost in some genera, praegenitale are only found in Belonopterygini and are considered an apomorphy of the group (Brooks and Barnard 1990).

As previously stated, generic relationships are largely unknown in Belonopterygini, yet certain patterns are evident which suggest likely groupings of genera. Genus groups within the tribe can be identified based on the complement of male genitalic structures (Brooks and Barnard 1990). Along with the presence and absence of parameres, the gonarcus may have articulating entoprocesses or non-articulating gonocornua present. In the New World there are three genera, Nacarina Navás, Abachrysa and the enigmatic type genus Belonopteryx Gerstaecker. These genera appear to be closely related and likely form a clade sister to the remaining Belonopterygini (Brooks and Barnard 1990). Among other shared characteristics, Belonopteryx and some species of Nacarina lack parameres and a praegenitale, structures typically found in the male and female terminalia (respectively) of most other genera in this tribe. Brooks and Barnard (1990) described the genus Evanochrysa Brooks & Barnard from the Oriental region and suggested that it was closely related to Nacarina based characteristics such as this lack of male parameres as well as the presence of gonosetae.

The greatest generic diversity in Belonopterygini is in the Old World, principally the Afrotropical region, where genera such as Oyochrysa, Dysochrysa Tjeder, Turnerochrysa Kimmins, Chrysaloysia Navás and Nesochrysa are endemic. Besides Evanochrysa, the Oriental and Eastern Palaearctic regions contain endemic genera such as Stigmachrysa Navás and Nodochrysa Banks. There is only a single endemic genus (Calochrysa Banks) in the Australasian region. Two genera that are widely distributed throughout the Old World are Italochrysa Principi and Chrysacanthia. With approximately 100 species, many more than all other genera combined, Italochrysa is the dominant genus of Belonopterygini and occurs throughout the Afrotropical, Palaearctic, Oriental and Australasian regions (Tjeder 1966; Brooks and Barnard 1990; New 1980). Conversely, Chrysacanthia contains only four species, but is similarly widely distributed throughout the Afrotropical and Oriental regions.

Among Old World genera, gonocornua are present in genera such as Nesochrysa, Dysochrysa, Chrysaloysia, Stigmachrysa and Chrysacanthia. Apical lobes on ectoprocts and/or sternite 8+9 in the male suggest a further close relationship among Nesochrysa, Nodochrysa and Stigmachrysa; these lobes are lacking in the other genera in this group with gonocornua. Moreover, the elongate shape of the gonocornua indicates a close relationship among Chrysaloysia, Dysochrysa and Chrysacanthia (Brooks and Barnard 1990). The putative sister genus to Chrysacanthia is likely to be Dysochrysa based on the shape of the male genitalia and the sub-triangular forewing cell im. Chrysacanthia is readily distinguished from Dysochrysa based on the extensive wing patterning, which is absent in Dysochrysa (Tjeder 1966).

Turnerochrysa is a monotypic genus with greatly reduced wing venation associated with its unusually small size for members of this tribe. Relationships of this genus to other Belonopterygini are unclear, but the lack of gonocornua suggests a possible relationship with Italochrysa and Oyochrysa (Tjeder 1966; Brooks 1984; Brooks and Barnard 1990). Oyochrysa and Italochrysa are in turn closely related based on the elongate extension of sternite 7 in the female. Calochrysa is clearly closely related to Italochrysa and is distinguished largely by the presence of a forked vein Cu₂ in the forewing (New 1980; Brooks and Barnard 1990).

Tauber et al. (2006) and Tauber (2006, 2007) recently proposed the transfer of Vieira Navás from Leucochrysini to Belonopterygini based on a series of adult and larval characteristics. Vieira is typical of Leucochrysini and does not fit comfortably in Belonopterygini as it is presently defined. Indeed, most of the characters identified supporting this transfer are highly variable even within the tribe, and their value for placement in a phylogenetic context has not been fully tested. Those Belonopterygini characters found in Vieira could as easily represent shared plesiomorphies and therefore do not discount a basal position in Leucochrysini. Vieira is retained in Leucochrysini for the present until a more comprehensive quantitative phylogenetic analysis can be undertaken on the group.

The immature stages of chrysopids in the tribe Belonopterygini are poorly known, and larvae are documented for only three genera (Calochrysa, Nacarina and Italochrysa) (Weber 1942; Principi 1943, 1946; New 1983, 1986; Tauber and Winterton 2014). Most chrysopid larvae are arboreal generalist predators and many larvae carry a debris packet lodged in elongate setae on their dorsum for camouflage and physical deterrence (Perez de-la Fuente et al. 2012). The larvae are confirmed specialized predators in ant nests in both Nacarina and Italochrysa (Weber 1942, Principi 1943, 1946; Tauber and Winterton 2014). Belonopterygini larvae have a large number of short hooked setae on the dorsum, presumably enabling carriage of a dense debris packet for physical defence against attack by ants in the nest (Principi 1946; Tauber et al. 2014; Tauber and Winterton 2014). The record by Weber (1942) of Nacarina is anomalous in that the larvae did not have a debris packet, suggesting that there is also chemical camouflage to aid in defence against ant attacks. This life history and associated dense debris packet appears specific to Belonopterygini and is considered a synapomorphy for the tribe. Interestingly, the first instar of Vieira elegans (Guérin-Méneville), which was described by Tauber et al. (2006), retains much of the chaetotaxy characteristic of non-Belonopterygini tribes.