Signoret's Green Lacewing
Meleoma signoretti
This record describes Meleoma signoretti (species). Recorded family: Chrysopidae. Recorded order: Neuroptera.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Body | Body green, head often paler. |
| Antennae | Antennae shorter with strongly cylindrical with scapes broadly separated (around the width of each base), base of flagellum black. Female with four spots on the frons forming a broad ʌ shape. Male with a broad, irregular dark mark covering the frons and a prominent, protruding process between the antennae. ♀ ♂ |
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Neuroptera (Antlions, Lacewings, and Allies)
- Family
- Chrysopidae (Green Lacewings)
- Subfamily
- Chrysopinae
- Tribe
- Chrysopini
- Genus
- Meleoma
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
(north)eastern (Canada: BC, MB, NS, ON, QC; United States: DC, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Meleoma signoretti Fitch, 1865
About Antlions, Lacewings, and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Neuroptera, the group containing Meleoma signoretti. 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 Signoret's Green Lacewing (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jonathan Hoskins
Frequently Asked Questions About Signoret's Green Lacewing
What is Signoret's Green Lacewing?
Signoret's Green Lacewing (Meleoma signoretti) is a species in the family Chrysopidae, within the order Neuroptera.
How do you identify Signoret's Green Lacewing?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Body | Body green, head often paler. |
| Antennae | Antennae shorter with strongly cylindrical with scapes broadly separated (around the width of each base), base of flagellum black. Female with four spots on the frons forming a broad ʌ shape. Male with a broad, irregular dark mark covering the frons and a prominent, protruding process between the antennae. ♀ ♂ |
Where is Signoret's Green Lacewing found?
Range: (north)eastern (Canada: BC, MB, NS, ON, QC; United States: DC, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV)