''Chrysopa'' is a

genus Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ...

of green lacewings in the neuropteran family Chrysopidae. Members of this genus and the genus '' Chrysoperla'' are common in much of North America, Europe and Asia. They share similar characteristics and some species have been moved from one genus to the other and back again. Their larvae are predatory and feed on

aphid Aphids are small sap-sucking insects in the Taxonomic rank, family Aphididae. Common names include greenfly and blackfly, although individuals within a species can vary widely in color. The group includes the fluffy white Eriosomatinae, woolly ...

s and members of this genus have been used in biological pest control.

William Elford Leach William Elford Leach (2 February 1791 – 25 August 1836) was an English zoologist and marine biologist. Life and work Elford Leach was born at Hoe Gate, Plymouth, the son of an attorney. At the age of twelve he began a medical apprenticesh ...

first described this genus in 1815 in Brewster's '' Edinburgh Encyclopædia''. Albert Koebele introduced species of Chrysopa to

New Zealand New Zealand () is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and List of islands of New Zealand, over 600 smaller islands. It is the List of isla ...

in the 1890s, as a method to combat

s, however no ''Chrysopa'' species were able to establish.

Species

References

External links

* * {{Authority control Chrysopidae Insects used as insect pest control agents Neuroptera genera Neuroptera of Europe Neuroptera of Asia Neuroptera of the Americas