Ceraeochrysa claveri

Larvae distinguished by dorsal packet construction behavior: using mandibles to scoop and flip materials onto the back, where they are held by tufts of long hairs. Packet composition can include mealybug wax, lichen, plant trichomes, wood fragments, and live mealybug nymphs. Cocoons incorporate collected debris and wax. Adults require specimen examination for definitive identification; larval identification to species typically requires rearing to adulthood.

Agricultural crops including Citrus sinensis (orange), Saccharum officinarum (sugarcane), Passiflora edulis (passion fruit), and Zea mays (corn); agroecosystems of Southeast Brazil and other regions.

Brazil (states: Amazonas, Bahia, Ceará, Goiás, Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso, Pará, Paraíba, Pernambuco, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Norte, Santa Catarina, São Paulo); Caribbean; Middle America; North America; South America.

Larvae are polyphagous predators of insect pests including mealybugs (Nipaecoccus nipae), Diatraea saccharalis eggs, aphids, mites, and thrips. Adults feed on pollen.

• Nipaecoccus nipae - prey (mealybug wax and nymphs used for packet construction; adults and nymphs consumed)First documented instance of lacewing larva actively placing live mealybug nymphs onto dorsal packet; reflex bleeding from mealybug ostioles can gum up lacewing mouthparts
• Diatraea saccharalis - prey (eggs consumed by larvae)Used as food source in laboratory studies
• Citrus sinensis - crop habitat
• Saccharum officinarum - crop habitat
• Passiflora edulis - crop habitat
• Zea mays - crop habitat

Complete metamorphosis: egg, larva, pupa, adult. Larval stage has incomplete digestive system with nonfunctional hindgut; metabolic residues stored in posterior midgut until adult emergence when digestive system becomes fully functional. Larvae spin cocoons that incorporate collected debris and wax; documented cocoon-to-eclosion time has been recorded.

Larvae construct dorsal camouflage packets by scooping material with mandibles and flipping head backwards to deposit onto back. First documented video record of using mealybug wax in packet construction. First documented observation of active placement of live mealybug nymphs onto packet, with potential for phoretic dispersal of mealybugs. When contacting mealybug reflex bleeding fluid (exuded from ostioles), larvae show strong distressed reaction and retreat to wipe mouthparts on substrate. Voracious feeding: can drain first-instar mealybug nymph in less than 45 seconds.

Biological control agent (predator) of agricultural insect pests including mealybugs, aphids, mites, and thrips. Potential pollinator through adult pollen feeding. Provides beneficial ecosystem service in integrated pest management. High gene flow among populations suggests effective dispersal and colonization capacity in agroecosystems.

Valued biological control agent in integrated pest management for crops of economic importance. Compatible with Bacillus thuringiensis serovar aizawai biopesticide, supporting combined use strategies. Susceptible to azadirachtin-based biopesticides and Cymbopogon nardus (citronella) essential oil, which cause developmental abnormalities and midgut damage. Used as model organism for studying selectivity of biopesticides on non-target beneficial insects.

• Ceraeochrysa cinctaSympatric congeneric species in Southeast Brazil agroecosystems; distinguished by genetic and morphological differences requiring specimen examination
• Ceraeochrysa cubanaSympatric congeneric species in Southeast Brazil agroecosystems; distinguished by genetic and morphological differences requiring specimen examination
• Other green lacewing larvae (Chrysopidae)Larval trash-carrying behavior is widespread in family; species identification requires rearing to adulthood or genetic analysis

• biological control
• trash carrier
• mealybug predator
• integrated pest management
• camouflage behavior
• phoresy
• reflex bleeding
• pollinator
• agroecosystem
• genetic diversity
• biopesticide compatibility
• Chrysopidae
• Neuroptera

• BugGuide
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• Ceraeochrysa claveri larva - Entomology Today
• Ceraeochrysa claveri larva - Entomology Today
• Trash Bug Versus Mealybug: Unique Insect Interaction Filmed for First Time
• Ceraeochrysa claveri Archives - Entomology Today
• Ceraeochrysa claveri larva and coconut mealybug - Entomology Today
• Ceraeochrysa claveri lacewing adult - Entomology Today
• Genetic Variability of Ceraeochrysa cincta, Ceraeochrysa claveri, and Ceraeochrysa cubana (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) Populations in Agroecosystems of Southeast Brazil
• Selectivity of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bacillales: Bacillaceae) to the polyphagous predator Ceraeochrysa claveri (Navás, 1911) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)
• Selectivity ofBacillus thuringiensis(Bacillales: Bacillaceae) to the polyphagous predatorCeraeochrysa claveri(Navás, 1911) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)
• Deleterious Effects of Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Essential Oil on Life Cycle and Midgut of the Natural Predator Ceraeochrysa claveri (Navás, 1911) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)
• Intake of Pyriproxyfen Through Contaminated Food by the Predator Ceraeochrysa claveri Navás, 1911 (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae): Evaluation of Long-Term Effects on Testes via Transcriptome Analysis.
• Azadirachtin-Based Biopesticide Affects Fitness and Ovarian Development of the Natural Enemy Ceraeochrysa claveri (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae).