Larva of Chrysoperla carnea s.l. having lunch

- No description given -

comments (7)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Oh wow, what a sci-fi larva, love it! This species seems bizarre at almost every life stage. Posted 3 years ago
1. Pudding4brains
  
  Lion
  
  Yes, I agree - crazy metamorphosis too. Should see if I have images of the cocoon somewhere. It baffles me time and again how the "huge" imago comes from such a small cocoon ... Posted 3 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    I think I found the vegetarian version:
    
    Posted 3 years ago, modified 3 years ago
  2. 1. Pudding4brains
      
      Lion
      
      *lol* yes - it does look skinny like a proper vegetarian! :-P
      Nah ... these will suck on the occasional droplet of honeydew or such, but it is probably on the flower head in search of prey, which might also be larvae living inside the flower head or Thrips or even flying insects attracted to the yellow in the flower. The skinniness is due to it probably being a 2nd instar larva still ;o) Posted 3 years ago, modified 3 years ago
    2. 1. Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        Nice, and thanks for the ID! Posted 3 years ago

Paul Dirksen

Lion

Cool shot Arp, well found. Posted 3 years ago
1. Pudding4brains
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks Paul, it devoured the little green aphid in the foreground just before, so I waited for it to grab the next one for a "fresh attack" shot ... :o) Posted 3 years ago, modified 3 years ago

The Common green lacewing

"Chrysoperla carnea", known as the common green lacewing, is an insect in the Chrysopidae family. It is found in many parts of America, Europe and Asia. The adults feed on nectar, pollen and aphid honeydew but the larvae are active predators and feed on aphids and other small insects. It has been used in the biological control of insect pests on crops.

Info 25 0

Similar species: Net-winged Insects

Species identified by Pudding4brains