| Micromus tasmaniae | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Neuroptera |
| Family: | Hemerobiidae |
| Genus: | Micromus |
| Species: | M. tasmaniae |
| Binomial name | |
| Micromus tasmaniae | |
Micromus tasmaniae, known as the Tasmanian brown lacewing, is a species of brown lacewing in the family Hemerobiidae. [2] It is widespread in Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Islands such as New Caledonia and Vanuatu. [3]
Adults of the species are 7.5–10 mm (0.30–0.39 in) long, and are typically nocturnal. The lacewing's lifespan is temperature dependent (higher temperatures causing shorter larval stages). [1] The Tasmanian Brown Lacewing breeds all year round, surviving at temperatures as low as 5 °C (41 °F). [1] The species typically has clear wings and a brown body. [4] The species can be differentiated from Micromus bifasciatus by the spotted pattern on the species' anterior wings, compared to the brown transverse bands found on Micromus bifasciatus. [4]
The lacewings feed on nectar, as well as aphids and psyllids. [1]
The species is found widely across Australia, [5] and is likely the most common species found in both Australia and New Zealand. [4] The species has been established in New Zealand since at least 1869, and has been identified in remote areas of the country, including the Chatham Islands, Auckland Islands, Antipodes Islands and Kermadec Islands. [4] It has been seen feeding on aphids (especially spruce aphids), and has been found on alfalfa. [6] During the daytime, adults and larvae hide (larvae hiding at the bases of plants in the daytime). [1] The oval-shaped white eggs of the species are often laid on plant hairs and spider webs, close to the species the adults are preying upon. [1]
The species is associated with a wide range of plants and ranges, compared to Micromus bifasciatus , which is typically associated with Podocarpus trees. [4]
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.
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.
Archichauliodes diversus is an insect in the subfamily Chauliodinae - the fishflies, though it is often referred to as the New Zealand dobsonfly, despite not being a true dobsonfly. In its larval form it is commonly known by the name toe-biter, and its Māori name is puene. The species is native to New Zealand. Although there are many other species of fishfly in other parts of the world, Archichauliodes diversus is the only species of fishfly in New Zealand.
Micromus is a genus of lacewings in the family Hemerobiidae. These small insects are found worldwide. Like most lacewings, both the larvae and adults are predatory, primarily eating acarines, scale insects, psyllids, aphids, thrips, and the eggs of lepidopterans and whiteflies. The species Micromus tasmaniae has been mass-bred for biological pest control in Australia.
Sympherobius is a genus of brown lacewings in the family Hemerobiidae. There are at least 50 described species in Sympherobius.
Hemerobiinae is a subfamily of brown lacewings in the family Hemerobiidae. There are about 5 genera and at least 60 described species in Hemerobiinae.
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.
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.
Drepanacra binocula, known as the Australian variable lacewing, is a species of brown lacewing in the family Hemerobiidae, found across Australia and New Zealand, including Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island and 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.
Keith Arthur John Wise, often referred to as K. A. J. Wise, was a New Zealand entomologist. Originally employed at the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Wise began working with the Bishop Museum in the early 1960s, coordinating field programmes for United States visits to Antarctica and Subantarctic islands. This work led Wise to identify and describe large numbers of novel species, including many species of springtail. In 1965, Wise became the first Curator of Entomology at the Auckland War Memorial Museum, where he was integral in creating the first entomology section within the natural history gallery.
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