Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Subclass: Dicondylia
Infraclass: Pterygota
Order: Neuroptera
Family: Coniopterygidae
Subfamily: Aleuropteryginae
Genus: Cryptoscenea
Species: C. australiensis
Binomial name: Cryptoscenea australiensis
Synonyms: Chrysoperla carneia, Chrysoperla arnes
Common name: Green Lacewing, Aphid lions
Cryptoscenea australiensis is a small flying insect in the family of dwarf gauze flies (Coniopterygidae), which belongs to the order Neuroptera. They found in many parts of America, Europe and Asia.
Cryptoscenea australiensis was introduced into New Zealand as a biological control of insect pests on crops. They are an important predator of several species of aphids, spider mites, thrips, mealybugs, whiteflies, small caterpillars, beetle larvae and the pests' eggs.
An adult Cryptoscenea australiensis is a small flying insect with a long, slender body (>20mm long), long antennae, and two pairs of large net-veined wings. The adults are a pale green colour and have long, threadlike antennae and bright, golden, compound eyes.
The adults of Chrysoperla carnea are not predatory and feed only on nectar, pollen and aphid honeydew.
Like all lacewings, Cryptoscenea australiensis go through a complete metamorphosis, including egg, larva, pupa, and adult. This life cycle takes about 25 to 30 days.
Their larvae are grey to brown and are alligator-like. Commonly called Aphid lions. They have well-developed legs and large pincers. They are voracious predators who pierce their prey using their large sickle-shaped jaws and then suck out the prey’s body fluids.
A non-predatory adult
The predatory larvae
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