| Chrysopa perla | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Near Havelsee, Germany | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Neuroptera |
| Family: | Chrysopidae |
| Genus: | Chrysopa |
| Species: | C. perla |
| Binomial name | |
| Chrysopa perla | |
| Synonyms [1] | |
List
| |
Chrysopa perla, the Pearly Green Lacewing, [2] is an insect species belonging to the green lacewing family, Chrysopidae (subfamily Chrysopinae).
This widespread species is present in most of Europe [3] and in temperate zones of Asia. [4] [5]
These insects prefer cool and shady areas, mainly in deciduous woods, wet forests, woodland edges, hedge rows, scrubby grassland and shrubs. [6] [4]
The adults reach 10–12 millimetres (0.39–0.47 in) of length, with a wingspan of 25–30 millimetres (0.98–1.18 in). [5] [6] The basic coloration of the body is green. Wings are blue-green with black veins. They turn pale yellow during the winter. Several black markings are present on the head, the thorax and below the abdomen. [5] The second antennal segment is black. [4] This species is rather similar to Chrysopa dorsalis , showing an oval pale spot between the eyes, which is roundish in C. perla. [4]
Adults can be encountered from May through August. [6] They are fearsome predators, primarily feeding on aphids, [5] occasionally on flower nectar. [4]
The females usually lay eggs near aphid colonies. [5] Larvae are predators, mainly feeding on Aphididae, Coccidae species and caterpillars ( Pieris brassicae , Autographa gamma ). [6] The adult insects hibernate in winter. [5]
The insect order Neuroptera, or net-winged insects, includes the lacewings, mantidflies, antlions, and their relatives. The order consists of some 6,000 species. Neuroptera is grouped together with the Megaloptera and Raphidioptera (snakeflies) in the unranked taxon Neuropterida.
Green lacewings are insects in the large family Chrysopidae of the order Neuroptera. There are about 85 genera and 1,300–2,000 species in this widespread group. Members of the genera Chrysopa and Chrysoperla are very common in North America and Europe; they are very similar and many of their species have been moved from one genus to the other time and again, and in the nonscientific literature assignment to Chrysopa and Chrysoperla can rarely be relied upon. Since they are the most familiar neuropterans to many people, they are often simply called "lacewings". Since most of the diversity of Neuroptera are properly referred to as some sort of "lacewing", common lacewings is preferable.
Megaloptera is an order of insects. It contains the alderflies, dobsonflies and fishflies, and there are about 300 known species.
Ascalaphidae is a family of insects in the order Neuroptera, commonly called owlflies; there are some 450 extant species. They are fast-flying crepuscular or diurnal predators of other flying insects, and have large bulging eyes and strongly knobbed antennae. The larvae are ambush predators; some of them make use of self-decoration camouflage.
Hemerobiidae is a family of Neuropteran insects commonly known as brown lacewings, comprising about 500 species in 28 genera. Most are yellow to dark brown, but some species are green. They are small; most have forewings 4–10 mm long. These insects differ from the somewhat similar Chrysopidae not only by the usual coloring but also by the wing venation: hemerobiids differ from chrysopids in having numerous long veins and forked costal cross veins. Some genera are widespread, but most are restricted to a single biogeographical realm. Some species have reduced wings to the degree that they are flightless. Imagines (adults) of subfamily Drepanepteryginae mimic dead leaves. Hemerobiid larvae are usually less hairy than chrysopid larvae.
Coccinellidae is a widespread family of small beetles. They are commonly known as ladybugs in North America and ladybirds in the United Kingdom; "lady" refers to mother Mary. Entomologists use the names ladybird beetles or lady beetles to avoid confusion with true bugs. The more than 6,000 described species have a global distribution and are found in a variety of habitats. They are oval beetles with a domed back and flat underside. They are sexually dimorphic; adult females are larger than males. Many of the species have conspicuous aposematic (warning) colours and patterns, such as red with black spots, that warn potential predators that they taste bad.
Chrysoperla is a genus of common green lacewings in the neuropteran family Chrysopidae. Therein they belong to the Chrysopini, the largest tribe of subfamily Chrysopinae. Their larvae are predatory and feed on aphids, and members of this genus have been used in biological pest control.
Chrysopinae is the nominate subfamily of green lacewings in the insect family Chrysopidae in the order Neuroptera. This subfamily is also the largest within the family and comprises about 60 genera.
Chrysopa is a genus of green lacewings in the neuropteran family Chrysopidae.
Chrysoperla carnea, one of the species of common green lacewing, is an insect in the Chrysopidae family. Although the adults feed on nectar, pollen and aphid honeydew, the larvae are active predators and feed on aphids and other small insects. It has been used in the biological control of insect pests on crops.
Chrysoperla lucasina is a species of neuropteran of the family Chrysopidae. They are found mainly in the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, in western Asia and northern Africa.
Micromus tasmaniae, known as the Tasmanian brown lacewing, is a species of brown lacewing in the family Hemerobiidae. It is widespread in Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Islands such as New Caledonia and Vanuatu.
Leucochrysini is a tribe of green lacewings in the family Chrysopidae. There are 7 genera and 213 described species in Leucochrysini.
Chrysoperla rufilabris, also known as the red-lipped green lacewing, is a species of green lacewing in the family Chrysopidae.
Chrysopa oculata is a species of green lacewing in the family Chrysopidae. It is found in North America and Central America. This species was imported to New Zealand in 1926, as a way to control aphid populations, however did not establish in the country.
Megalomus hirtus, common name bordered brown lacewing, is a species of brown lacewings in the family Hemerobiidae.
Megalomus tortricoides is a species of brown lacewing in the family Hemerobiidae. It was first described by Rambur in 1842.
Mallada basalis is a species of green lacewing in the family Chrysopidae, first described by Francis Walker in 1853. No subspecies are listed in the Catalog of Life. The species was detected on mainland New Zealand in the 2010s.
Mallada signatus, commonly known as the green lacewing is a species of insect described by Wilhelm Gottlieb Schneider in 1851.
Media related to Chrysopa perla at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Chrysopa perla at Wikispecies