Subphylum Hexapoda | Rank Species | |
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Similar Chrysoperla mediterranea, Chrysoperla, Chrysopinae, Chrysopa perla, Chrysopa | ||
Larve chrysoperla lucasina sur puceron koppert
Chrysoperla lucasina is a species of Neuropteran belonging to the family Chrysopidae (subfamily Chrysopinae). They are found mainly in the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, in western Asia and northern Africa.
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C. lucasina can be distinguished from other members of the carnea-group of the genus Chrysoperla by subtle and variable morphological attributes, but primarily by its calling and courtship songs.
Adults can be encountered from late Spring through mid-Autumn. Theys are polyphagous, feeding on pollen and nectar of various herbaceous flowering plants (mainly Brassicaceae, Graminaceae, Apiaceae and Asteraceae), as well as on honeydew, their preferred diet in Autumn.
After the feeding period they fly near colonies of aphids, where they breed and the females lay eggs. Unlike the adults, the larvae are fearsome predators; consequently, these insects are used for the biological pest control of aphids and other small arthropods. The adult insects hibernate in winter.