NeuropteraHemerobiidae – Brown Lacewings2 data sources

Sympherobius occidentalis

This record describes Sympherobius occidentalis (species). Recorded family: Hemerobiidae. Recorded order: Neuroptera.

Identification and Appearance

Sympherobius occidentalis - Sympherobius occidentalis — Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , v belov , PaleoJon

The yellow v-shaped mark on the mesothorax is diagnostic - J.D. Oswald

Wikipedia reference for Sympherobius occidentalis: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sympherobius_occidentalis.

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Neuroptera (Antlions, Lacewings, and Allies)
Family: Hemerobiidae (Brown Lacewings)
Subfamily: Sympherobiinae
Genus: Sympherobius

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

e. US (NY-WI-TX-FL)

About Antlions, Lacewings, and Allies: the wider group

Order-level background for Neuroptera, the group containing Sympherobius occidentalis. 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.

Explore Neuroptera families and species →