Snake-flies, alderflies, lacewings and scorpion flies in Essex
Etymology
The origin of this name is obscure. I had assumed that it was from comparison with the genus Perla
(Plecoptera), but the Latin adverb perlate (= very widely) could perhaps indicate a very widely distributed
(= common) species? Certainly the species is very common throughout most of Europe and is one of
the most easily encountered.
Chrysopa dorsalis Burmeister, 1839
National status: Local (Rare - RDB 3) Predicted county status: Extinct/Endangered
Distribution
Alresford (14 June 1916 and 18 June 1917) and
Colchester (1917 - perhaps the same as the
Alresford record?) are the only county records.
It is not expected that this species will be refound
in Essex.
Habitat and ecology
Associated with pine trees, showing particular
affinity to Scots Pine. Now restricted in Britain
to Ainsdale Dunes, Lancashire, Newborough
Warren, Anglesey, and three widely separated
locations in the southern counties.
Threats
Not applicable.
Etymology
From the Latin dorsum = the back. The logic is unclear, but may perhaps refer to the resting insect's
dark subcostal veins giving impression of dorsal stripe?
Chrysopa pallens (Rambur, 1838)
= septempunctata Wesmael, 1841
National status: Common (Common)
Predicted county status: Common/—
Distribution
Widespread in South Essex. The shortage of
records from the north perhaps reflects lack of
fieldwork. Most records arc from light traps and
the species is common in my garden at Bishops
Stortford, just over the border into Hertfordshire
and the national distribution maps (Plant 1994)
show a wide spread of records in the eastern
counties.
Habitat and ecology
Apparently associated with a wide variety of
deciduous trees and also known from domestic
gardens. The larvae are probably generalist
predators of aphids and other soft-bodied insects
206
Essex Naturalist (New Series) 17 (2000)