Micromus tasmaniae

Micromus tasmaniae, known as the Tasmanian Brown Lacewing, is a species of brown lacewing in the family Hemerobiidae.[2] It is widespread in Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Islands such as New Caledonia and Vanuatu.[3]

Micromus tasmaniae
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Neuroptera
Family: Hemerobiidae
Genus: Micromus
Species:
M. tasmaniae
Binomial name
Micromus tasmaniae
(Walker, 1860)
  • Austromicromus tasmaniae Walker, 1860[1]
  • Eumicromus tasmaniae Walker, 1860[1]
  • Hemerobius tasmaniae Walker, 1860[1]
  • Micromus froggatti Banks, 1909[1]
  • Micromus perkinsi Banks, 1939[1]
  • Neomicromus tasmaniae Walker, 1860[1]

Description and ecology

Adults of the species are 7.5-10 mm long, and are typically nocturnal. The lacewing's lifespan is temperature dependent (higher temperatures causing shorter larval stages).[1] The Tasmanian Brown Lacewing breeds all year round, surviving at temperatures as low as 5°C.[1] The species typically has clear wings and a brown body.[4] The species can be differentiated from Micromus bifasciatus by the spotted pattern on the species' anterior wings, compared to the brown transverse bands found on Micromus bifasciatus.[4]

The lacewings feed on nectar, as well as aphids and psyllids.[1]

Distribution and habitat

The species is found widely across Australia,[5] and is likely the most common species found in both Australia and New Zealand.[4] The species has been established in New Zealand since at least 1869, and has been identified in remote areas of the country, including the Chatham Islands, Auckland Islands, Antipodes Islands and Kermadec Islands.[4] It has been seen feeding on aphids (especially spruce aphids), and has been found on alfalfa.[6] During the daytime, adults and larvae hide (larvae hiding at the bases of plants in the daytime).[1] The oval-shaped white eggs of the species are often laid on plant hairs and spider webs, close to the species the adults are preying upon.[1]

The species is associated with a wide range of plants and ranges, compared to Micromus bifasciatus, which is typically associated with Podocarpus trees.[4]

References
  1. Martin, N A (2017). "Factsheet: Tasmanian lacewing - Micromus tasmaniae". Landcare Research. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
  2. "Micromus tasmaniae species details". Catalogue of Life. Retrieved 2018-02-28.
  3. Wise, K. A. J. (1991). "DISTRIBUTION AND ZOOGEOGRAPHY OF NEW ZEALAND MEGALOPTERA AND NEUROPTERA". Records of the Auckland Institute and Museum. 28: 211–227. ISSN 0067-0464.
  4. Wise, K. A. J. (1993). "SPECIES OF MICROMUS (NEUROPTERA: HEMEROBIIDAE) IN NEW ZEALAND". Records of the Auckland Institute and Museum. 30: 93–117. ISSN 0067-0464.
  5. New, T. R. (1984). Comparative biology of some Australian Hemerobiidae. In Progress in world’s neuropterology: proceedings of the 1st international symposium on neuropterology’.(Eds J Gepp, H Aspoeck, H Holzel) pp (pp. 153-166).
  6. Wise, K.A.J. (1995). "RECORDS CONCERNING BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF INSECT PESTS BY NEUROPTEROIDEA (INSECTA) IN NEW ZEALAND". Records of the Auckland Institute and Museum. 32: 101–117. ISSN 0067-0464.

Further reading
  • Arnett, Ross H. Jr. (2000). American Insects: A Handbook of the Insects of America North of Mexico. 2nd Edition. CRC Press. ISBN 0-8493-0212-9.
  • Capinera, John L., ed. (2008). Encyclopedia of Entomology. Springer. ISBN 978-1402062421.
  • Elliott, John Malcolm (1996). British Freshwater Megaloptera and Neuroptera: a key with ecological notes. Freshwater Biological Association.
  • Hagen, Hermann August (1862). Synopsis of the Neuroptera of North America: with a list of the South American species. 4:1. Smithsonian institution.
  • New, T.R. (1975). "The biology of Chrysopidae and Hemerobiidae (Neuroptera), with reference to their usage as biocontrol agents: a review". Ecological Entomology. Wiley Online Library. 127:2: 115–140.
  • Penny, Norman D.; Adans, Phillip A.; Stange, Lionel A. (1997). "Species catalog of the Neuroptera, Megaloptera and Raphidioptera of America north of Mexico". Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  • Penny, Norman D.; Monserrat, Victor J. (1985). "Neuroptera of the Amazon Basin Part 10. Hemerobiidae". Acta Amazonica. 13 (5–6): 879–909. ISSN 0044-5967.


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