Mediterranean floret
| Mediterranean floret | ||||||||||||
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Mediterranean floret ( Chrysoperla mediterranea ) |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Chrysoperla mediterranea | ||||||||||||
| ( Hölzel , 1972) |
The Mediterranean lacewing ( Chrysoperla mediterranea ) is a reticulated wing fly from the lacewing family (Chrysopidae). For a long time, the Mediterranean lacewing was placed in the species group of the common lacewing , as the individual species of this group hardly differ from one another externally. In 1972, the Austrian entomologist Herbert Hölzel described the Mediterranean flora fly as a species of its own on the basis of several unique characteristics . Research by Charles S. Henry et al. Confirmed that the vibration pattern used by the male to attract the female during courtship is fundamentally different from that of the other species. Since so females of other species can not be attracted, there is a crossing barrier , a hybridization prevents the species.
distribution
The Mediterranean floret occurs in the western Mediterranean area to North Africa. In the course of global warming , however, it also spread further north to Belgium and Luxembourg . Steve J. Brooks of the Natural History Museum (London) determined Chrysoperla mediterranea in 2001 in a sample that was collected in Belgium by Christian Fassote and in a sample from Luxembourg by Evelyne Carrières. Furthermore, the species was found in heat-favored regions of Central Europe such as found in southern Styria in Austria and the Pannonian climatic area from western Hungary to the eastern edge of the Alps .
features
For a long time it was believed that the common lacewing ( Chrysoperla carnea ) was a single species that is distributed throughout the Holarctic , i.e. the entire northern hemisphere . In the course of time, however, slight morphological differences could be determined, which indicated the occurrence of different species next to each other in the same habitat .
All species have a long and slender, green-colored body that can reach a length of three centimeters. Their wings have a dense, green veining . In the resting position, they are folded over the abdomen like a roof. The hemispherical compound eyes that shimmer in gold are striking . This coloration of the eyes was decisive for the naming of the genus Chrysoperla ("gold pearl").
The Mediterranean floret differs from the other species of the Chrysoperla carnea group by its narrower wings, a darker color and a lack of swelling at the base of the tarsal claws . The Mediterranean flies can only be found in areas that are overgrown with pine trees or other pine species. However, the distinguishing features can vary, so that a clear determination based on the morphology can only be carried out by experienced specialists.
Adaptation to the seasons
The Mediterranean floret lacks an adaptation that can be found in the species that are further north: the species Chrysoperla carnea and Chrysoperla pallida turn yellowish to brown before wintering and thus adapt their color to the autumnal nature. In the spring, the wings and bodies of these species turn green again, while the individuals of the Mediterranean floret maintain their green coloration over the seasons. Since lacewings only live an average of 110 to 140 days under optimal conditions, each generation does not have to hibernate and it cannot be observed whether all individuals change color or not.
Biological pest control
Like the other species of the Chrysoperla carnea group, Mediterranean florets are bred for biological pest control . The females of the Mediterranean floret can lay around 520 eggs in the 100 or so days in which they are fertile if living conditions are good. These are preferably placed near aphid colonies . The larvae that hatch are called " aphid lions ". They predatorily feed on various mites and small insects, but especially on aphids. They can suck out up to 10 aphids a day, which they can hold on to with their long, pincer-shaped jaws.
Individual evidence
- ^ Charles S. Henry, Stephen J. Brooks, James B. Johnson, Peter Duelli: Revised concept of Chrysoperla mediterranea (Hölzel), a green lacewing associated with conifers: courtship songs across 2800 kilometers of Europe (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). Systematic Entomology 24 (4), pp. 335-350, October 1999. doi : 10.1046 / j.1365-3113.1999.00085.x (engl.)
- ^ Charles S. Henry and Marta Lucía Martínez Wells: Testing the ability of males and females to respond to altered songs in the dueting green lacewing, Chrysoperla plorabunda (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). In: Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. Volume 61, Number 1, Verlag Springer, Berlin / Heidelberg, November 2006 doi: 10.1007 / s00265-006-0235-8 (Engl.)
- ↑ Archived copy ( Memento of the original from September 1, 2006 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ ORF -Steiermark of January 24, 2007: Messenger for Climate Change. Mediterranean flies detected in Graz. [1]
- ^ Franziska Anderle: The Neuropterida of the Eichkogel near Mödling (Lower Austria). In: Summary of the lectures of the 8th conference of the AK Neuropteren from April 29th-1st May 2005 at Schwanberg Castle . S. 3, 2005. ( PDF ( Memento of the original from September 29, 2007 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. )
- ↑ CF Carvalho, M. Canard and C. Alauzet: Influence of the density of Chrysoperla mediterranea (Hölzel, 1972) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) adults on its laboratory reproduction potential. Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae 48 (Suppl. 2), pp. 61–65, 2002. ( PDF, 323kB )
literature
- Horst Aspöck, Herbert Hölzel and Ulrike Aspöck: Annotated catalog of the Neuropterida (Insecta: Raphidioptera, Megaloptera, Neuroptera) of the West Palearctic , Denisia 02 , Linz, 2001
- Charles S. Henry, Stephen J. Brooks, James B. Johnson, Peter Duelli: Revised concept of Chrysoperla mediterranea (Hölzel), a green lacewing associated with conifers: courtship songs across 2800 kilometers of Europe (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). Systematic Entomology 24 (4), pp. 335-350, October 1999 doi : 10.1046 / j.1365-3113.1999.00085.x (engl.)
