Chrysopa perla
Encyclopedia
Chrysopa perla, the 'Green Lacewing ', is a species belonging to the family Chrysopidae
subfamily Chrysopinae
. This widespread species is present in most of Europe
.
The adults reach 10–12 mm (0.393700787401575–0.47244094488189 ) of length, with a wingspan of 25–30 mm (0.984251968503937–1.2 ) and are fearsome predators, primarily feeding on aphids, occasionally on flower nectar. They can be encountered from May through August in cool and shady areas, mainly in deciduous woods, woodland edges and shrubs.
The basic coloration of the body is green. Wings are blue-green with black veins. Several black markings are present on the head, the thorax and below the abdomen.
The females usually lay eggs near aphid colonies. Also larvae are predators, mainly feeding on Aphididae
and Coccidae
species. The adult insects hibernate in winter.
Chrysopidae
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...
subfamily Chrysopinae
Chrysopinae
Chrysopinae is a subfamily of green lacewings in the insect family Chrysopidae in the order Neuroptera. They are the nominate taxon and largest member of the green lacewing family , containing about 60 genera....
. This widespread species is present in most of Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
.
The adults reach 10–12 mm (0.393700787401575–0.47244094488189 ) of length, with a wingspan of 25–30 mm (0.984251968503937–1.2 ) and are fearsome predators, primarily feeding on aphids, occasionally on flower nectar. They can be encountered from May through August in cool and shady areas, mainly in deciduous woods, woodland edges and shrubs.
The basic coloration of the body is green. Wings are blue-green with black veins. Several black markings are present on the head, the thorax and below the abdomen.
The females usually lay eggs near aphid colonies. Also larvae are predators, mainly feeding on Aphididae
Aphididae
Aphididae is a very large insect family in the aphid superfamily , of the order Hemiptera. There are several thousand species in this family, many of which are well known for being serious plant pests...
and Coccidae
Coccidae
The Coccidae are a family of scale insects belonging to the superfamily Coccoidea. They are commonly known as soft scales, wax scales or tortoise scales. The females are flat with elongated oval bodies and a smooth integument which may be covered with wax. In some genera they possess legs but in...
species. The adult insects hibernate in winter.