Lacewing Species Research Articles

A new East-Asian species in the Chrysoperla carnea-group of cryptic lacewing species (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) based on distinct larval morphology and a unique courtship song.

Larval morphology and substrate-borne vibrational courtship songs have been hypothesized to distinguish and isolate Chrysoperla 'nipponensis-B' from true 'Type A' Chrysoperla nipponensis (Okamoto), both of which occur sympatrically in eastern Asia. Here, we formally describe C. 'nipponensis-B' as Chrysoperla nigrocapitata sp.n., based on populations sampled throughout Japan and at two sites in South Korea. Behavioral playback experiments show that males and females of each species reject the duetting songs of non-conspecifics, supporting the existence in nature of strong premating reproductive isolation between the two species. Detailed morphological analysis substantiates that the adults of the two species are nearly identical. However, the dorsum of the larval head of C. nigrocapitata is usually darkly and heavily pigmented, in striking contrast to the condition seen in C. nipponensis; if available, it is probably the best trait for distinguishing the two species morphologically. Other aspects of life history, ecology, geographic distribution, and molecular systematics of the new species are briefly considered.

Species of Chrysopidae (Neuroptera) associated to trellised tomato crops in two cities of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil

This research aimed to investigate the diversity of species of lacewings (Chrysopidae) associated to trellised tomato crops in the counties of Cambuci and Seropédica, in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Eggs and adults of chrysopids were collected, manually and by oral suction device, respectively, in Cambuci (commercial farming) and Seropédica (experimental farming). Four species were obtained: Ceraeochrysa cincta (Schneider, 1851), Ceraeochrysa sp1., Chrysopodes elongatus (Freitas; Penny, 2001) and Chrysopodes sp1. in the experimental farming in Seropédica, while in the commercial farming in Cambuci only two species were found: Chrysoperla externa (Hagen, 1861) and Ceraeochrysa cubana (Hagen, 1861).

Species of the pleasing lacewing genus Dilar Rambur (Neuroptera, Dilaridae) from islands of East Asia

Six species of the pleasing lacewing genus Dilar Rambur, 1838, are recorded from several islands of East Asia, including Hainan, Taiwan, and Japan. Five species, i.e. Dilarformosanus (Okamoto & Kuwayama, 1920), Dilarhikosanus Nakahara, 1955, Dilarjaponicus McLachlan, 1883, Dilarpallidus Nakahara, 1955 and Dilartaiwanensis Banks, 1937, are herein redescribed. Dilardistinctus Nakahara, 1955, and Dilarkanoi Nakahara, 1955, are synonymized with Dilartaiwanensis Banks, 1937. Dilarinsularissp. n. from Hainan and Taiwan is described as new to science. A key to these insular species of Dilar is also provided.

Revisión de los mantíspidos de la Península Ibérica y Baleares (Insecta, Neuropterida, Neuroptera, Mantispidae)

In this review all existing information on the four species of mantispids lacewings (Insecta, Neuropterida, Neuroptera: Mantispidae) present in the Iberian Peninsula and Balearic Islands is reported. Based on the known general data on this family and on these species, an identification key to the Iberian species is included. On the basis of this Iberian information and of the new material now studied, new data on their morphology, biology and geographical, phenological and altitudinal distribution in the study area are noted. It is suggested that there are at least two annual cycles in most of the Iberian species. New and interesting data on the biology and reproductive behavior of imagoes and on the pre-imaginal stages of some species are recorded, and some previously known data are discussed. A new species, Mantispa incorrupta n. sp. , is described, which seems to represent the vicariant species in the western Mediterranean of Mantispa scabricollis McLachlan, 1875, a Pontomediterranean species recorded from Europe in the Greek islands of Lesbos, Chios and Rhodes. A new synonymy: Mantispa Illiger en Kugelann, 1798 = Afromantispa Snyman & Ohl, 2012 n. syn. is propossed.

Host diversity and seasonality of Hyalospora hemerobii (Apicomplexa: Eugregarinorida: Hirmocystidae) infections in lacewings

Lacewings are known as biological control agents, substantially reducing populations of aphids and spider-mites. The study focuses on gregarines parasitizing their brown lacewing hosts. The occurrence of the gregarine species Hyalospora hemerobii Geus, 1969 in brown lacewings (Hemerobiidae) in NE Slovenia was investigated. Seven brown lacewing species were surveyed and in five of them (Hemerobius humulinus, H. micans, H. marginatus, Micromus variegatus and Sympherobius pygmaeus) gregarines were present. Trophozoites, solitary gamonts, associations, syzygies and gametocysts were recognized. In this paper syzygy of H. hemerobii is illustrated for the first time. In some trophozoites the epimerite was present, associations were biassociative and caudofrontal. The occurrence of the parasite in Hemerobius micans was studied in 2011 and 2013. In 2011, gregarines occurred from June to September, and in 2013 from June to October. An infection rate within the range of 10–86.7% was detected. The average number of solitary gregarines per infested host increased progressively, from June to September/October. This is the first investigation of seasonal patterns in the occurrence of any known gregarine species parasitizing Neuropterida.

Kymachrysa, a new genus of Nearctic Green Lacewings (Neuroptera, Chrysopidae, Chrysopini).

Two North American species of green lacewings have undergone a number of changes in their generic assignments and are currently classified as incertae sedis. Here we demonstrate that adults (both sexes) and larvae of these species share a set of features that distinguishes them from currently described genera. Thus, to promote nomenclatural stability in Chrysopidae, we describe Kymachrysa, a gen. n. that contains the two species – Kymachrysa intacta (Navás), comb. n. and Kymachrysa placita (Banks), comb. n.. Also, we present modifications for the current generic-level key, illustrations, as well as biological information for identifying the genus and its known species.

The brown lacewings (Neuroptera, Hemerobiidae) of northwestern Turkey with new records, their spatio-temporal distribution and harbouring plants

The brown lacewings (Neuroptera, Hemerobiidae) of northwestern Turkey with new records, their spatio-temporal distribution and harbouring plants. The occurrence and spatio-temporal distribution of brown lacewing species (Neuroptera, Hemerobiidae) in Bursa province, northwestern Turkey, was investigated during 1999-2011. A total of 852 brown lacewing specimens of 20 species, including the genera of Hemerobius, Megalomus, Micromus, Sympherobius, and Wesmaelius were collected. Of these, 12 species were new records for northwestern Turkey while Sympherobius klapaleki is a new record for the Neuroptera fauna of Turkey. The most widespread species were Hemerobius handschini and Sympherobius pygmaeus with percent dominance values of 42.00 and 15.96%, respectively. Wesmaelius subnebulosus was the earliest emerging hemerobiid species and had the longest flight activity lasting from March to October. The species of southern origin characterized by the Mediterranean elements constituted 55% of the hemerobiid fauna and prevailed over the species of northern origin that belong to the Siberian centres. The total number of hemerobiid species reached a peak in July with captures of 15 species per month. There were 11, 13, 18 and 5 hemerobiid species occurring at altitudes between 1-500, 501-1000, 1001-1500 and 1500-2000 m, respectively. In addition, plant species harbouring hemerobiids are given for each species, and their association with the hemerobiid fauna is discussed.

Nuevos datos sobre algunas especies de Hemeróbidos de la península Ibérica e islas Canarias, incluyendo una nueva especie invasora de origen neotropical en Portugal (Insecta, Neuroptera, Hemerobiidae)

New data on the distribution, biology and phenology of 25 brown lacewings species (Insecta, Neuroptera: Hemerobiidae) of Iberian and Canaries fauna are given. The species Hemerobius bolivari Banks, 1910, widely distributed in the Neotropical Region, is recorded for the first time in Europe as a new invasive species, from specimens collected on Thaumastocoris peregrinus Carpintero & Dellape, 2006 (Hemiptera: Thaumastocoridae) colonies on Eucalyptus in Lisbon (Portugal). This brown lacewing species, along with Sympherobius gayi Navas, 1910, also known from South America, is the second invasive species of neotropical origin, belonging to this family, that is recorded in the Iberian Peninsula, both from Portugal. We also mention several species that have been seldom recorded in the Iberian Peninsula, and among them Wesmaelius ravus (Withycombe, 1923) is recorded for the second time in the Iberian Peninsula, now from Sierra Nevada (Granada). From samplings made in southern Spain (Malaga, Granada) Micromus angulatus (Stephens, 1836) shows activity as imagoes during winter time (the entire year in the Iberian Peninsula, including this area), and these data seem also to confirm its link to grass vegetation.

Two new kalligrammatids (Insecta, Neuroptera) from the Middle Jurassic of Daohugou, Inner Mongolia, China

A new genus and two new species of kalligrammatid lacewings (Insecta, Neuroptera), Kalligramma paradoxum sp. nov. and Huiyingogramma formosum gen. et sp. nov., are described and figured, based on two well-preserved forewings from the Middle Jurassic of Daohugou, Inner Mongolia, China. Kalligramma paradoxum sp. nov. can be distinguished from other known Kalligramma species based on forewing characters (e.g., wing shape, costal space, branches of Rs, eye-spot). Huiyingogramma gen. nov. is characterized by a distinct humeral recurrent vein, relatively broad costal space with well-forked costal veinlets, well-developed eye-spot and dense crossveins over the entire wing.

Developmental Time and Survival of Trash-Carrying Versus Naked Green Lacewings, with Implications for Their Utility as Augmentative Biological Control Agents

Abstract Because of their importance and abundance as predators of pest insects in agroecosystems around the world, eight species of lacewings from four genera (Apertochrysa, Chrysopa, Chrysoperla, and Dichochrysa) were investigated to evaluate their performance when reared on eggs of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller, a factitious prey commonly used in mass rearing systems. In particular, a comparative assessment of trash-carrying versus naked species (ones not carrying trash on their backs) was performed. We measured the developmental times and survival rates of the eight green lacewings and compared these characteristics between trash-carrying and naked lacewing species. Survival during immature development was higher (77–87%) for the two naked species (Chrysopa pallens (Rambur) and Chrysoperla suzukii (Okamoto)) than for the trash-carrying species D. alcestes (33%). Immature and larval developmental times were significantly longer among the trash-carrying species than the naked species. The rapid development of naked green lacewings may be a strategy to decrease predation risk by aphid guarding ants and intra-guild predators.

Loss of Genetic Variability Induced by Agroecosystems: Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) as a Case Study

Four species of green lacewings occur in Brazil, of which Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) exhibits the widest geographical distribution. Chrysoperla externa is a predatory insect that is potentially useful as a biological control agent of agricultural pests. Studies on the genetic diversity of lacewing populations are essential to reduce the environmental and economic harm that may be caused by organisms with a low ability to adapt to the adverse and/or different environmental conditions to which they are exposed. We used the cytochrome oxidase I mitochondrial gene as a molecular marker to investigate the genetic diversity of green lacewing species collected from native and agroecosystem environments. Populations derived from native areas showed higher rates of genetic variability compared to populations from agroecosystems. Demographic changes in the form of population expansion were observed in agroecosystems, whereas populations in the native environment appeared stable over time. A statistical analysis showed significant genetic structure between each of the sampled groups, combined with its complete absence within each group, corroborating each group's identity. We infer that the loss of variability exhibited by populations from the agroecosystems is the result of genetic drift by means of the founder effect, a similar effect that has been observed in other introduced populations. Agroecosystems might therefore function as exotic areas for green lacewings, even when these areas are within the normal range of the species.

Diversity and phenology of the generalist predator community in apple orchards of Central Washington State (Insecta, Araneae)

AbstractPredatory insects and spiders were collected from apple orchards in two geographic regions of Central Washington State, United States of America to assess seasonal phenology and diversity of the generalist predator community. Arthropods were collected from orchard canopy every 3–7 days over two growing seasons (March–October) at seven organically managed and two insecticide-free orchards. Over 35 000 specimens and 80 species of spiders (Araneae), ladybeetles (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), lacewings (Neuroptera), and predatory true bugs (Hemiptera) were collected. Composition of insect and spider communities differed between the two geographic regions. Indicator species analysis identified several species that had a significant association with one of the two regions. Counts of the most common taxa were examined in detail on a calendar date basis to determine seasonal phenology of adult and immature stages. We observed substantial differences among taxa in number of generations, seasonal timing of first appearance in orchards, overwintering stages, and seasonal occurrence of the adult and immature life stages in orchards. Understanding seasonal phenology of natural enemies in orchards is a core requirement in integrated pest management programs for apple pests, and results of this study provide this information for the generalist predator community of orchards in the Pacific Northwest.

A charismatic new species of green lacewing discovered in Malaysia (Neuroptera, Chrysopidae): the confluence of citizen scientist, online image database and cybertaxonomy

An unusual new species of green lacewing (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae: Semachrysa jade sp. n.) is described from Selangor (Malaysia) as a joint discovery by citizen scientist and professional taxonomists. The incidental nature of this discovery is underscored by the fact that the species was initially photographed and then released, with images subsequently posted to an online image database. It was not until the images in the database were randomly examined by the professional taxonomists that it was determined that the species was in fact new. A subsequent specimen was collected at the same locality and is described herein along with another specimen identified from nearby Sabah.

Effects of pesticides on eggs of Chrysoperla externa (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) and consequences on subsequent development

The effects of six pesticides applied to the coffee crop on eggs and their consequences on the subsequent de- velopmental stages of Chrysoperla externa (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) were evaluated under laboratory conditions. The pesticides and water (control) were sprayed on eggs using a Potter´s tower. After spraying, forty eggs per treatment were individualized in glass tubes and maintained in a climatic chamber, in order to evaluate immature development of this predator. The treatments showed significant differences for egg viability and survival of first-instar larvae. Chlorpyrifos, sulphur and copper oxichlorate reduced the treated egg viability, whereas both sulphur and betacyfluthrin reduced the survival of first-instar larvae. Endosulphan and azociclotin reduced the daily oviposition of this green lacewing species. The harmless products (Class 1, E < 30%), can be recommended for use in integrated pest management programs in coffee crops, in order to preserve this predator.

A New Genus and Species of Aetheogrammatidae from the Jurassic of Inner Mongolia, China (Neuroptera)

A new genus and species of aetheogrammatid lacewings is described and figured from the Jurassic of eastern Inner Mongolia, China (Daohugou; Jiulongshan Formation). Ectopogramma kalligrammoides Engel, Huang, and Lin, new genus and species, is noteworthy for the forked c-sc crossveins and presence of veinlets between the c-sc crossveins and the presence of some marginal twigging, while still retaining many putative apomorphies with the slightly more extreme venation of Aetheogramma Ren and Engel (Early Cretaceous; Yixian Formation). The wing venation provides a tantalizing link between the more extreme venation of the younger and more derived Aetheogramma speciosum Ren and Engel, nomen emendatum, and the venation of families such as Kalligrammatidae. Ectopogramma is placed in a separate subfamily, Ectopogrammatinae, new subfamily. The genus Kalligrammina Panfilov is considered as family incertae sedis.

The Survey of Green Lacewings and Occurrence of Apertochrysa sp. (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) on Various Plants in Malaysia

To determine the species of green lacewings, determine the parasitism of parasite Telenomus sp. on the eggs of Apertochrysa sp. and study the occurrence of Aper-tochrys sp. within the field of corn plants, the experiments were carried out during 2007-2008 in Malaysian agro ecosystem. Collection and direct eggs observation were used in this investigation. Only 18 plants have the eggs of Apertochrysa sp. from 43 surveyed plants. Highest percentage of eggs collected of Apertochrysa sp. 65.84% was collected from citrus trees followed by 26.47% was collected from vegetable plants. The Telenomus sp. was highly affected on the eggs of Apertochrysa sp. and the highest parasitism was re-corded on the eggs which found on corn plant (14%). While, the parasitism was 9.2% on eggs that found in citrus tree. The females of Apertochrysa sp. preferred to lay their eggs on corn plants planted at the east sits of the field. All methods used like handmade white plastic collision trap, sticky traps, knockdown (sondage sampling), shaking, food attractant traps, air blower, spray the adult’s food, color plastic card board traps failed to capture the adults and to sample the immature stages except the eggs directly observation.

Two New Fossil Lacewing Species from the Middle Jurassic of Inner Mongolia, China (Neuroptera: Grammolingiidae)

Abstract:Two new species of lacewings are described and illustrated from the Jiulongshan Formation (Middle Jurassic) of Inner Mongolia, China: Leptolingia calonervis sp. nov. and Litholingia ptesa sp. nov. (Grammolingiidae). The species can be distinguished by the following features: the outermost branch of MP2 on the hind wing did not reach the margin of wing in Leptolingia calonervis sp. nov.; the second branch of Rs forked deeply while other branches of Rs forked much later in Litholingia ptesa sp. nov.

Ecological character displacement in competing common green lacewings in Europe: a route to speciation?

Competitive interactions among the three common green lacewing species of the Chrysoperla complex in Europe are presented. Four morphological characters were registered as semi-quantitative traits to assess variation between populations. Data were obtained from 325 adults originating from 14 locations. A statistical approach was performed in conjunction with observations of ecological traits and a survey of genetic relationships assessed by mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b analysis. The results indicate character displacement in Chrysoperla affinis when living in sympatry with Chrysoperla carnea. The morphological traits of Ch. affinis sympatric with Ch. carnea differ from those of allopatric Ch. affinis, although the genetic distance between those strains was weak. This was associated with a large difference in microhabitats and premating behaviour. Variation in courtship songs manifests a process of speciation within related populations. Thus, that ecological switching can also promote character displacement is supported. This suggests that character displacement acts through phenotypic variability and mediates negative interactions among species. These findings suggest that the highest rate of speciation occurs in groups of species in which competition is the strongest. (C) 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 102, 292-300.

A new species of brown lacewing (Neuroptera: Hemerobiidae) from Eocene Baltic amber

A new species of brown lacewing (Insecta: Neuroptera: Hemerobiidae) is described from Eocene Baltic amber. Sympherobius siriae sp. nov. is the second fossil species of the genus so far described. The other, Sympherobius completus Makarkin et Wedmann is also from Baltic amber. The fossil record of Hemerobiidae is reviewed.

Complete mitochondrial genomes of two green lacewings, Chrysoperla nipponensis (Okamoto, 1914) and Apochrysa matsumurae Okamoto, 1912 (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)

We describe the complete mitochondrial genomes of the green lacewing species Chrysoperla nipponensis (Okamoto, 1914) and Apochrysa matsumurae Okamoto 1912 (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). The genomes were 16,057 and 16,214 bp in size, respectively, and comprised 37 genes (13 protein coding genes, 22 tRNA genes and two rRNA genes). A major noncoding (control) region was 1,244 bp in C. nipponensis and 1,407 in A. matsumurae, and the structure was simpler than that reported in other Neuroptera, lacking conserved blocks or long tandem repeats. The overall arrangement of genes was almost the same as that found in most arthropod mitochondrial genomes, with the one exception of a tRNA rearrangement to tRNA-Cys-tRNA-Trp-tRNA-Tyr, rather than the plesiomorphic tRNA-Trp-tRNA-Cys-tRNA-Tyr. A high A + T content (78.89 and 79.02%, respectively), A + T-rich codon bias, and a mismatch between the most-used codon and its corresponding tRNA anticodon were observed as a typical feature of the insect mitochondrial genome.