Chrysoperla plorabunda

(Fitch, 1855)

Weeping Green Lacewing

Chrysoperla plorabunda, known as the weeping , is a in the cryptic Chrysoperla carnea complex. are 12–20 mm in length with forewings 9–14 mm. The species is distinguished from other members of the complex primarily by substrate-borne vibrational mating songs rather than morphological differences. Adults feed on nectar and honeydew, while larvae are predatory on soft-bodied arthropods. The species exhibits color , with adults typically bright green but capable of shifting to brown during induction.

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Pronunciation

How to pronounce Chrysoperla plorabunda: //ˌkrɪs.oʊˈpɜr.lə ˌploʊ.rəˈbʌn.də//

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Identification

C. plorabunda is morphologically indistinguishable from other members of the C. carnea complex; identification requires analysis of substrate-borne vibrational songs. range 12–20 mm in body length with forewings 9–14 mm. Coloration is typically bright green in active reproductive adults, with a yellow stripe down the center of the body and a dark brown stripe on the . During , adults shift to brown coloration that may persist after diapause termination until temperatures rise. Larvae emerge brown and acquire green coloration at the pupal stage.

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Habitat

Open including grasslands, cultivated fields, edges of deciduous forests, and within coniferous forests.

Distribution

Widespread across North America, ranging from coast to coast from northern Canada to Mexico.

Seasonality

Reproductive period occurs under long-day conditions (13–14+ hours daylight). Reproductive is induced by short-day conditions (12–13 hours or less daylight), with timing varying geographically— in colder climates enter diapause earlier than those in warmer regions.

Diet

feed predominately on nectar and honeydew. Larvae are predatory, feeding on soft-bodied arthropods including aphids, mites, and other small insects.

Life Cycle

Females lay several hundred small over their lifetime (average ~780 eggs, with ~64-day oviposition period). Eggs hatch in 3–6 days. Larvae pass through three instars over two to three weeks before spinning a cocoon. occurs 10–14 days after cocoon formation. Newly emerged adults undergo obligatory for at least two nights (averaging ~40 km per night) before responding to food stimuli and seeking reproductive opportunities.

Behavior

Larvae exhibit tonic immobility ("death feigning") when near , a motionless posture more likely in individuals with lower energy reserves. Larvae also possess biting , paralytic and digestive venoms, and deterrent anal secretions. Newly emerged undertake obligatory migratory for at least two nights regardless of food or mate availability. Adults communicate through substrate-borne vibrational duets; males engage in fast duets with other males that speed up and terminate suddenly, with females preferentially mating with winners of these contests. Both sexes exhibit polygynandrous mating, with males mating with 22–30 females (though sperm depletion limits success to first two females) and females mating with ~4 males.

Other Chrysoperla carnea complex speciesMorphologically identical; distinguished only by substrate-borne vibrational song patterns, with C. plorabunda occupying a distinct acoustic space that functions as a prezygotic isolating mechanism.
Chrysoperla zastrowiAnother member of the C. carnea complex recently naturalized in the Americas; distinguished by vibrational songs and climatic preferences for hot, arid .