Are Green Lacewings Potent Biocontrol Agents?
The diversity of insects is very wide. They are well adapted to survive in any sort of environment whether it is a mountain, deepest ocean, underground areas of earth or the Antarctic zones. One such successful group of insects belongs to the family Chrysopidae and order Neuroptera. About 1,300-2,000 species of chrysopids are known with 85 genera. The common members include Chrysopa and Chrysoperla which are widely distributed in North America and Europe. Both these species are very similar in their external appearance that sometimes they confuse the taxonomists about their classification. The members Chrysopidae are commonly known as green lacewings. Green lacewings are very delicate insects with a wing span of about 6-65 mm. the tropical species are largest in body size. The remarkable features of the green lacewings comprise of a wide costal field in their wing venation which includes cross veins. The body colouration may range from green to greenish brown with large well developed
