Chrysopini

Distinguished from other Chrysopidae tribes primarily by genitalic characters, particularly male claspers and female subgenitale structure. Adults of Chrysopini generally lack the dark longitudinal stripes on the head and pronotum characteristic of some other chrysopid groups. The combination of green body coloration, golden eyes, and dense wing venation with few costal crossveins distinguishes them from Hemerobiidae (brown lacewings). Larvae have elongated, somewhat flattened bodies with prominent, curved mandibles and lack the debris-carrying behavior seen in some related lacewing groups.

Occurs in diverse vegetated environments including deciduous and coniferous forests, meadows, agricultural fields, orchards, and urban gardens. Abundance is strongly tied to vegetation structure and prey availability. Adults frequently inhabit the canopy and understory of woody plants. Larvae are found on foliage where they actively hunt prey.

Cosmopolitan distribution with species recorded from all biogeographic regions except Antarctica. Particularly diverse in temperate zones of the Northern Hemisphere and tropical regions of Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Individual species ranges vary from widespread (multiple continents) to highly restricted (single mountain ranges or islands).

Adult activity patterns vary by latitude and species. In temperate regions, most species are active from spring through autumn, with peak abundance in summer. Some species overwinter as adults in protected microhabitats. In tropical regions, adults may be present year-round with population fluctuations tied to wet and dry seasons. Larvae are generally present whenever prey populations are sufficient.

Larvae are predatory, feeding primarily on soft-bodied arthropods including aphids, scale insects, mealybugs, mites, thrips, and eggs or early instars of Lepidoptera and other insects. Some species supplement diet with pollen or nectar. Adults of most species are predatory, though some feed on honeydew, nectar, and pollen; a minority are known to be exclusively predatory.

Holometabolous development with egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages. Females deposit eggs singly or in small groups on stalks (mucilaginous filaments) attached to vegetation, reducing cannibalism among emerging larvae. Larvae pass through three instars, actively dispersing and hunting throughout development. Third instar larvae spin spherical, silken cocoons attached to vegetation or in concealed locations for pupation. Generation time varies from several weeks to multiple months depending on temperature and species; some species are univoltine, others bivoltine or multivoltine.

Adults are primarily crepuscular and nocturnal, though some species are active diurnally. Strong flight ability allows dispersal among habitat patches. Adults of many species produce substrate-borne vibrational signals during courtship. Larvae are solitary, active predators that stalk or ambush prey. Defensive behaviors include the release of volatile compounds from prothoracic glands in some species, producing a disagreeable odor.

Significant predators of agricultural and forest pests, particularly aphids, contributing to biological control. Larvae are generalist predators with high per-capita consumption rates. Adults of some species contribute to pollination through incidental pollen transfer. Serve as prey for birds, spiders, and other insectivores.

Widely recognized as beneficial insects in integrated pest management and conservation biological control. Eggs and larvae are commercially available for augmentation in greenhouse and field crop systems. Adults are attracted to lights and occasionally enter structures. Some species have been introduced outside native ranges for classical biological control programs.

• NothochrysiniAnother tribe of Chrysopidae; adults often larger with more elaborate wing venation and frequently brown or patterned coloration rather than uniform green
• LeucochrysiniChrysopidae tribe distinguished by distinctive head markings and different male genitalia structure; many species have prominent dark stripes on head and pronotum
• HemerobiidaeBrown lacewing family; adults are generally smaller, brownish, with less dense wing venation and no golden eye coloration

• Neuroptera
• Chrysopidae
• green lacewing
• predator
• biological control
• beneficial insect

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