''Chrysopa perla'' is an insect species belonging to the green lacewing family,
Chrysopidae (subfamily
Chrysopinae
Chrysopinae is the nominate subfamily of green lacewings in the insect family Chrysopidae in the order Neuroptera. This subfamily is also the largest within the family and comprises about 60 genera.
Members of the genus ''Chrysoperla'' and the ge ...
).
Distribution
This widespread species is present in most of
Europe
Europe is a large peninsula conventionally considered a continent in its own right because of its great physical size and the weight of its history and traditions. Europe is also considered a subcontinent of Eurasia and it is located enti ...
Fauna europaea
and in temperate zones of Asia.[
]
Habitat
These insects prefer cool and shady areas, mainly in deciduous woods, wet forests, woodland edges, hedge rows, scrubby grassland and shrubs.[
]
Description
The adults reach of length, with a wingspan of .
[J.K. Lindse]
The basic coloration of the body is green. Wings are blue-green with black veins. They turn pale yellow during the winter. Several black markings are present on the head, the thorax and below the abdomen.[ The second antennal segment is black.][Nature Spot]
/ref> This species is rather similar to '' Chrysopa dorsalis'', showing an oval pale spot between the eyes, which is roundish in ''C. perla''.[
]
Biology
Adults can be encountered from May through August.[ They are fearsome predators, primarily feeding on aphids,][ occasionally on flower nectar.][
The females usually lay eggs near aphid colonies.][ Larvae are predators, mainly feeding on Aphididae, ]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 cover ...
species and caterpillars ('' Pieris brassicae'', '' Autographa gamma'').[ The adult insects hibernate in winter.][
]
Gallery
File:Chrysopidae - Chrysopa perla-1.jpg, Dorsal view
File:Chrysopida