The insect order Neuroptera, or net-winged insects, includes the lacewings, mantisflies, 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.
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.
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.
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.
Hemerobius humulinus is a species of brown lacewing in the family Hemerobiidae. It is found in Europe and Northern Asia, North America, and Southern Asia.
Hemerobiinae is a subfamily of brown lacewings in the family Hemerobiidae. There are about 5 genera and at least 60 described species in Hemerobiinae.
Abachrysa is a genus of green lacewings in the family Chrysopidae. There is one described species in Abachrysa, Abachrysa eureka.
Sympherobius californicus is a species of brown lacewing in the family Hemerobiidae. It is found in Central America, North America, and Oceania. The species was introduced to New Zealand to prey on aphids and mealybugs affecting crops, first noted in 1936, however was not able to be established.
Sympherobius barberi, or Barber's brown lacewing, is a species of brown lacewing in the family Hemerobiidae. It is found in Europe and Northern Asia, Central America, North America, Oceania, and South America. The species was introduced to New Zealand to prey on aphids and mealybugs, first noted in 1936, however was not able to be established.
Hemerobius stigma is a species of brown lacewing in the family Hemerobiidae. It is found in Europe and Northern Asia and North America. The species was introduced to New Zealand to prey on adelgidae growing on pine plantations, and was first noted as being present in the country in 1935, however was not able to be established.
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.
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.
Cryptoscenea australiensis is a species of lacewing in the subfamily aleuropteryginae, first described by Günther Enderlein in 1906. No subspecies are listed in the Catalog of Life. The species is present in Eastern Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand, including the Kermadec Islands.
Micromus bifasciatus, is a species of Australasian brown lacewing in the family Hemerobiidae that was first described by Robert John Tillyard in 1923.
Protobiella zelandica is a species of New Zealand beaded lacewing in the family Berothidae that was first described by Robert John Tillyard in 1923. It is the sole known species in the genus Protobiella, and the only berothid endemic to New Zealand. No subspecies are noted in the Catalogue of Life.
Euosmylus stellae is an endemic species of New Zealand lacewing that was first described by Robert McLachlan in 1899. It is the only species in the genus Euosmylus. The species ranges from the North Island Volcanic Plateau to the middle of the South Island, including Arthur's Pass and the Ashley Gorge. It was named in honour of George Hudson's daughter Stella.
Heteroconis ornata is a species of Australian lacewing that was first described by Günther Enderlein in 1905. The species is found in Queensland and New South Wales. The species was first recorded in New Zealand in 1988, and by the late 1980s a small colony was found to be established in West Auckland.
