Abstract
Soon after pupal eclosion, adult Chrysoperla congrua undergo obligatory ontogenetic colour change. This phenomenon, unique among lacewings to C. congrua, is investigated further and its functional significance is discussed. Four to 5 days after eclosion, adult C. congrua undergo obligatory ontogenetic colour change from yellow‐brown to green, which corresponds with maturation of gonads in both sexes. Courtship displays by both sexes involving abdominal tremulation (calling) always occurred soon after colour change. I propose that colour change in adult C. congrua serves not only as camouflage in a dynamic habitat, as suggested by previous authors, but may also serve as a visual cue to conspecifics of sexual maturity and receptiveness to a potential mate.
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