Black-horned Green Lacewing
Chrysopa nigricornis
This record describes Chrysopa nigricornis (species). Recorded family: Chrysopidae. Recorded order: Neuroptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adults A rather large, pale species. Note the almost entirely unmarked pronotum and the almost entirely pale head capsule, with only one pair of small dark spots, one on each side of the clypeus. The proximal parts of the antennae are usually (though not always) darkly colored. - J.D. Oswald Larvae The head capsule is marked with 3 spots, much like C. chi and C. nigricornis . Within the eastern extent of its range, C. chi is separated from other members of the genus by the darkened set of lateral tubercles on the thorax and red-tinged abdominal tubercles. In C. chi , the abdominal tubercles are entirely pale. Additionally, C. nigricornis has small lateral tubercles on the first abdominal segment, as opposed to none in C. chi .[
Wikipedia reference for Chrysopa nigricornis: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysopa_nigricornis.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Neuroptera (Antlions, Lacewings, and Allies)
- Family
- Chrysopidae (Green Lacewings)
- Subfamily
- Chrysopinae
- Tribe
- Chrysopini
- Genus
- Chrysopa (Stink Lacewings)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
across Canada and US south to NC-TN-TX-CA
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Chrysopa nigricornis Burmeister 1839
About Antlions, Lacewings, and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Neuroptera, the group containing Chrysopa nigricornis. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Neuroptera (lacewings, antlions, owlflies) includes ~6,000 described species. Green lacewing larvae are called 'aphid lions' - a single larva can consume up to 200 aphids per week.
Ecological role of the group
Antlion larvae build conical pit traps in sandy soil - an engineering feat studied by physicists for insights into granular mechanics. Adult lacewings are important pollinators of night-blooming flowers.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lacewings are commercially reared and sold as biological pest control agents. The global biological pest control market, which heavily features lacewings, was valued at $6.6 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $16.4 billion by 2033.
Recorded sources for this group: USDA IPM, biological control market research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Black-horned Green Lacewing (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by v belov , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Black-horned Green Lacewing
What is Black-horned Green Lacewing?
Black-horned Green Lacewing (Chrysopa nigricornis) is a species in the family Chrysopidae, within the order Neuroptera.
How big is Black-horned Green Lacewing?
body 15-20 mm (reported here as large for a green lacewing)
How do you identify Black-horned Green Lacewing?
Adults A rather large, pale species. Note the almost entirely unmarked pronotum and the almost entirely pale head capsule, with only one pair of small dark spots, one on each side of the clypeus. The proximal parts of the antennae are usually (though not always) darkly colored. - J.D. Oswald Larvae The head capsule is marked with 3 spots, much like C. chi and C. nigricornis . Within the eastern extent of its range, C. chi is separated from other members of the genus by the darkened set of lateral tubercles on the thorax and red-tinged abdominal tubercles. In C. chi , the abdominal tubercles are entirely pale. Additionally, C. nigricornis has small lateral tubercles on the first abdominal segment, as opposed to none in C. chi .[
Where is Black-horned Green Lacewing found?
Range: across Canada and US south to NC-TN-TX-CA