Chrysoperla  

Chrysoperla is a genus of green lacewings in the Neuropteran family Chrysopidae. Therein they belong to the Chrysopini, the largest tribe of subfamily Chrysopinae.

Members of this genus and the genus Chrysopa are very common in North America and Europe. They share similar characteristics and some species have been moved from one genus to the other and back. Their larvae are predatory and feed on aphids and members of this genus have been used in biological pest control.^[1]

Chrysoperla species are sometimes nearly identical morphologically, but can be readily separated based on the vibration signals used to attract mates. For example, the southern European Chrysoperla mediterranea looks almost identical to its northern relative C. carnea (Common Green Lacewing), but their courtship "songs" are very different; individuals of one species will not react to the other's vibrations.^[2]

Selected species[edit]

New species of Chrysoperla are still being described, particularly since the genus contains at least one cryptic species complex.

Footnotes[edit]

References[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chrysoperla.

Wikispecies has information related to: Chrysoperla

• Engel, Michael S. & Grimaldi, David A. (2007): The neuropterid fauna of Dominican and Mexican amber (Neuropterida, Megaloptera, Neuroptera). American Museum Novitates 3587: 1–58. PDF fulltext
• Henry, Charles S.; Brooks, Stephen J.; Johnson, James B. & Duelli, Peter (1999): Revised concept of Chrysoperla mediterranea (Hölzel), a green lacewing associated with conifers: courtship songs across 2800 kilometres of Europe (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). Systematic Entomology 24(4): 335–350. doi:10.1046/j.1365-3113.1999.00085.x PDF fulltext
• New, T. R. (2002): Prospects for extending the use of Australian lacewings in biological control. Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae 48(Supplement 2): 209–216. PDF fulltext

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