Snake-flies, alderflies, lacewings and scorpion flies in Essex
Hemerobius pini Stephens, 1836
National status: Local (Common)
Predicted county status: Local/—
Distribution
Although there are only three modern records
(Sewardstone, 1983; Writtle, 1989; Great
Bendysh Wood, 1993), the scatter of widely-
spaced dots across south-eastern England, shown
in the national distribution maps (Plant 1994),
together with records from several sites in
Hertfordshire just over the county boundary,
seems to suggest that H. pini is probably widely,
but locally distributed across Essex wherever the
host tree is present.
Habitat and ecology
Obligatorily associated with pines, where the
larvae prey upon pine aphids and other similar-
sized, soft-bodied insects. Scots Pine is possibly the tree of choice, and even an isolated tree can
support a population of the lacewing. However, it has also been taken in association with other
species of pines in plantations elsewhere in Britain. On this basis it is almost certainly under-recorded
in Essex. Most British records are from mercury vapour moth lamps.
Threats
None perceived.
Etymology
Possessive form of genus Pinus = pine, literally "of the pine".
Hemerobius nitidulus Fabricius, 1777
National status: Common (Common) Predicted county status: Local/—
Distribution
Writtle, 1988; South Weald Park, 1989; Birching
Coppice, 1991 and East Ham, 1992 are the only
available Essex records. The comments made
under the distribution of H. pini, above, apply
equally to this species and the maps for the two
species ought to be more or less identical.
Habitat and ecology
Restricted to pine trees, but usually present
wherever these are growing, including town parks
and domestic gardens.
Threats
None perceived.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin nitidus - brightly shining or polished, relating to the bright reflections of the
fore wings in certain light conditions. The adjectival suffix "-ulus" presumably indicates that the
intensity of shining is lessened in some way, in the same way that minusculus (rather small) is smaller
than minus (small).
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Essex Naturalist (New Series) 17 (2000)