For the identification of insects and other fauna and flora of South Africa.
Showing posts with label Chrysopidae. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chrysopidae. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Lacewing / Antlion - Red Lacewing (Dysochrysa furcata) family Chrysopidae

Sometimes called 'doodlebugs' - This antlion was not easy to get a photograph of as they disappear so easily once you start digging into their cone-shaped nest and look like this:

I am sure you have seen them in your garden.
The sides are built at a 45 degree angle and once the ant falls in, he cannot get out again. The larvae is extremely small, about 2-3mm.
Lacewing larvae are carnivorous and differ in appearance and habit, but all have elongated mouthparts modified for sucking out the fluids of their prey.
Their anus is sealed so that waste products of their diet can be stored until excreted as a white pellet after emergence.

They spin a spherical cocoon for pupation.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Green Lacewing (Chrysoperla) Chrysopidae

This Green Lacewing flew in and landed near the ceil so of course I had to grab a chair to stand on and my camera in order to take a picture.
Now this may sound rude to some of you and if you are offended, please forgive me, but I thought it an interestng fact about them: The anus of the larvae is sealed so that waste products of their liquid diet can be stored until excreted as a white pellet after emergence.
They are mostly predacious but a few of the species are nectar and pollen feeders.