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Photo#224105
Green Lacewing Larva - Meleoma emuncta

Green Lacewing Larva - Meleoma emuncta
Fort Lewis, Washington, USA
September 8, 2008

Moved
Moved from Meleoma. Thank you.

Perhaps worth considering M. emuncta
Pulling up Dr. Tauber's review of the genus,(1) the two species known from the northwest are separated in terms of the color of the setae. In M. dolicharthra, there are at least some dark setae, while in M. emuncta all setae are pale. From here, I don't see any dark setae.

Toschi (1965)(2) includes sketches of both species: M. emuncta under the name M. comata and M. dolicharthra under the name M. cavifrons. Third instars of both frequently have an anterior median spot on the head capsule, which I see faint evidence at the front of the head, between the V mark. The markings in both species are rather similar, but it looks like third instars of M. dolicharthra have these more extensive, with the two more exterior stripes distinctly fused.

I've located a photo of an eastern species that we can safely call M. emuncta - the anterior median spot cleanly rules out the only other eastern Meleoma. Yours is definitely agreeable, especially accounting for differences in lighting.

Some further info
From the facial markings, I'm in fairly strong agreement with Dr. Tauber (though her ID has much more weight than mine). There are 2 species known to occur in Washington: M. dolicharthra and M. emuncta (images of adults have just recently been sorted into species).

Moved
Moved from Larvae.
"probably Meleoma sp." --Dr. Catherine Tauber.

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