Over the past year or so, BugGuide has been able to add roughly 20 species of Chrysopidae into the guide (pretty much doubling the number of species that had been entered as of the end of 2019). This has included the addition of 4 genera (with only 1 genus unrepresented). However, even with that great increase, we're only representing roughly 50% of the green lacewing diversity of the US. A vast majority of these species come from the desert southwest, where the biodiversity is high (and the quality literature on the lower side).
I'm hoping to be able to keep that expansion going into 2021. There are currently 34 species lacking apparent representation (I exclude the 4 species in the
Chrysoperla carnea group as they're generally not identifiable apart from song analysis) plus 1 that could use some clearer photos to make sure we have the right ID.
I'm particularly hoping we can add
Chrysopa timberlakei,
Leucochrysa arizonica, and
Plesiochrysa brasiliensis as these are rather distinctive from the literature (with good photos, it should only take a few seconds for me to be able to verify the species). Others, particularly the desert southwest fauna, will likely be more difficult to place. I've given some rather short, as non-technical descriptions that may be useful in trying to figure out if
Notes on photography: The most useful series of photographs tend to include a number of angles. For the most part, it's necessary to be able to see (1) the markings on the dorsal surface of the body, (2) a clear shot of the wing venation, (3) facial markings from the front, and (4) facial markings from the side.
Pimachrysa
Missing: 5 spp.
Range: CA-AZ
What to look for: Various of these species are yellowish- to orange-headed much like
Nothochrysa californica (San Francisco Lacewing) but do vary in terms of the actual facial markings. Anything similar seen in AZ is most likely this genus. As with
Nothochrysa the wing venation can be described as more primitive with a much more elongate im cell - compare to veins MP1 and MP2
(1).
Chrysopa
Missing:
3 spp. 2 spp. (
C. excepta,
C. slossonae,
C. timberlakei)
Range: 2 from BC-CA; 1 from NC, NH, NY, VA
What to look for: 2 spp. western have rather distinctive facial markings
(2); the third eastern (
C. slossonae) is red-spotted and looks essentially like
C. quadripunctata apart from some minute traits of wing venation. It may be possible to separate with some really clear photos, though this species really may require verification from Dr. Catherine Tauber.
Eremochrysa
Missing:
11 spp. 12 spp. 11 spp.
Range: desert southwest
What to look for: Most species are brown/tan during the warmer months, unlike the majority of the typical green lacewings. Some of those within the subgenus
Eremochrysa (Chrysopiella) are green, so my best field description would be that members of this subgenus have facial markings "looking somewhat like
Chrysopa but not agreeing with any of our species." Some members of this genus are known for their "dotted" wing venation, having quick alterations between light and dark regions, but many of the species missing from the guide have less "dotting" .
Kymachrysa
Missing: 1 sp. (
K. placita) needing clearer photos of wings, facial markings
Range: AZ, CO, NM, UT, WY
What to look for: This genus is most recognizable for its sinuous longitudinal veins (which are straight in virtually every other genus). This species also has dark loops under the eyes and has two bars on the vertex of the head (not a box of 4 spots as in
C. oculata)
(3)
Leucochrysa
Missing:
1 sp. (L. arizonica) 0 spp.
Range: s. AZ
What to look for: The forewing venation is unique among western genera, of our species comparable only to L. insularis (in the eastern US)(4). Members of this genus also have disproportionately long antennae; this appears to be the one species in range that may not have a prominent black spot on the fore wing.
Meleoma
Missing:
9 spp. 8 spp. 6 spp.
Range: primarily desert southwest, 1 sp. into TX and 1 sp. into OR
What to look for: This genus is most easily recognized in most species by its strongly cylindrical scapes, with a gap in between them about as wide as one of the scapes. Body markings are fairly variable in this genus.
Nineta
Missing: 1 sp. (
N. nanina)
Range: AZ-UT
What to look for: Members of this genus in our area seem to be most readily recognized by the broad black bands on the sides of the prothorax.
Plesiochrysa
Missing: 1 sp. (
P. brasiliensis)
Range: FL
What to look for: This is a very distinctive species with 4 red spots on the prothorax
(5). There are no other species in range that can be mistaken for it. This is the last missing genus and certainly worth trying to photograph if you're around FL.
Pseudomallada
Missing:
1 sp. (P. macleodi) 0 spp.
Range: ON; AZ, KS, MD, TX
What to look for: Members of this genus are often noted for their brownish wing venation while lacking extensive brown on the body. This is a pale-headed species that differs from the likes of Chrysopa nigricornis and Meleoma signoretii in terms of facial markings (a black mark, interrupted in the middle, on the labrum and a black band from the eye to the front of the clypeus).
Yumachrysa
Missing: 2 spp. (
Y. clarivena &
Y. yuma)
Range: AZ-CA
What to look for: This genus is typically distinguished by the long costal cells - see reference for a diagram of the costal cells (C) in a different genus
(7). Unlike
Y. apache, the coloration of these species is in one species green and the other "pale" (live color unknown). One species has a couple of reddish markings on the head similar to a few
Eremochrysa. These seem to be rather restricted species that aren't frequently observed
