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Photo#119855
Green Lacewing - egg-laying - Chrysopa oculata - female

Green Lacewing - egg-laying - Chrysopa oculata - Female
Richmond Hill, York Region, Ontario, Canada
June 17, 2007
The plump female laid many eggs. Capturing the process was difficult, though, since I had to shoot into the container (she was so weary that she would attempt an escape every time I opened the lid). Sorry the last two images are blurred; the laying process takes three seconds, so my point-and-shoot wouldn't be able to refocus without missing the rest of the sequence.
The process: the female was observed to "pave the way", licking the surface as she walked forward, perhaps to ensure that the egg has a clean spot to land on. Next, she would do a little "belly dancing", literally waving her abdomen in a sinuous motion. Then comes repeatedly dabbing the surface as if to give it a final test (or perhaps to apply the glue) - and then what is seen above: glue application (1), secreting and elongating the suspending thread (2 and 3), and laying the egg itself (3).

Images of this individual: tag all
Green Lacewing - Chrysopa oculata - female Green Lacewing - predation - Chrysopa oculata - female Green Lacewing - predation - Chrysopa oculata - female Green Lacewing - grooming - Chrysopa oculata - female Green Lacewing - egg-laying - Chrysopa oculata - female Green Lacewing - egg-laying - Chrysopa oculata - female Green Lacewing - egg-laying - Chrysopa oculata - female

#119855 Identification – Chrysopa oculata
Identification confirmed. Interesting oviposition series.

Moved
Moved from Chrysoperla.

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