Species Chrysoperla plorabunda - Weeping Green Lacewing

Weeping Lacewing

Chrysoperla plorabunda (Fitch, 1855)

Chrysoperla p1 Henry, 1985

Chrysopa simplex Navás, 1908

Chrysoperla californica (Coquillett in Lelong, 1890)

Chrysopa illinoiensis Shimer, 1865

Chrysopa pseudographa Fitch, 1855

Chrysopa robertsonii Fitch, 1855

Orig. comb.: Chrysopa plorabunda Fitch, 1855

Chrysoperla plorabunda (Fitch, 1855)

Definitive identification of species would require analysis of the tremulation ("song") pattern to separate it from other members of the carnea group. This is, however, the only species of the group reported within the southeastern and central US. Here, it is the only species in the genus with two stripes on the genae (an upper reddish stripe and a lower dark stripe) and rounded hind wingtips.

widespread (Canada: AB, BC, MB, SK; United States: AK, AZ, CO, CT, DC, FL, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, TN, TX, WA, WI)(1)

         

           Egg                           Larva                        Cocoon                       Pupa                 Adult (green form)    Adult (tan/brown form)

This is the most widespread member not only of the carnea group but also of the genus Chrysoperla found within the US and Canada. It is also the only species in the genus reported continuously from coast to coast.

Where overlap occurs (particularly in the western US but also evidently a pocket from New York to New Hampshire) with allied species within the carnea group (C. adamsi, C. downesi, and C. johnsoni; plus very restricted populations of C. agilis and C. zastrowi sillemi), separation is often not possible from either photography or microscopy.