Hemerobius

Linnaeus, 1758

brown lacewings

Hemerobius is a of in the , distributed across Europe and North America. and are predatory, feeding on small including , , and . The genus includes that overwinter as adults and are active in early spring. Larvae spin loose, coarse for , with some species exhibiting extended quiescent periods before .

Hemerobius by (c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

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Hemerobius by (c) Dan MacNeal, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Dan MacNeal. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Hemerobius: //ˌhɛmɛˈroʊbiəs//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Hemerobius are distinguished from () by their generally , dull coloration rather than bright green. They differ from other by specific patterns and genitalic structures requiring microscopic examination. of Hemerobius have been noted as identifiable by expert determination.

Images

Habitat

environments including orchards and forests; have been observed in placed on fruit trees. are frequently attracted to artificial lights at night.

Distribution

Europe and North America; specific records include Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Vermont, USA.

Seasonality

are active in early spring (March) following winter dormancy; some show adult in autumn with in the adult stage.

Diet

Predatory on acarines (), , , , , and the of lepidopterans and .

Life Cycle

spin loose, coarse with visible -like globules in the mesh; larvae assume a curved position with bent forward to the and legs folded inward. Some exhibit extended in cocoons from autumn through winter, with occurring in spring.

Behavior

are attracted to artificial lights at night. construct characteristic loose for and . Adults of some spend winter in concealed locations and resume activity in early spring.

Ecological Role

Predatory control of soft-bodied pests including , , and in and agricultural .

Human Relevance

agent for agricultural and orchard pests; have been incidentally collected in pest management on fruit trees.

Similar Taxa

Chrysopidae (green lacewings)Bright green coloration in most , versus the coloration of Hemerobius; different patterns.
MicromusAnother of distinguished by and genitalic ; expert identification often required to separate.
SympherobiusFormerly included now placed in this separate of .

More Details

Cytogenetics

Hemerobius marginatus exhibits B- that are mitotically unstable and show non-disjunction at , influencing segregation through apparent mechanisms in males.

Taxonomic history

The formerly included now placed in Sympherobius and Vieira; Boriomyia has been treated as a synonym of Hemerobius.

Research limitations

Most detailed biological studies on single (H. nervosa, H. pacificus, H. marginatus, H. ); -level generalizations should be treated cautiously.