Snake-flies, alderflies, lacewings and scorpion flies in Essex
on trees and shrubs.
Threats
None perceived.
Etymology
The Latin pallens can mean pale, yellow or pale green depending on its usage. Here it refers to the
generally pale-green colour of the insect. The former name, by which it is still widely known is constructed
from septem, the Latin for the number seven and punctum, the Latin for a spot; there are seven black
spots on the insect's face.
The Chrysoperla carnea group
In recent years Henry et al. (1996; 1999; in press) have shown that what was previously understood
to be Chrysoperla carnea in Western Europe is in fact a complex of five cryptic species. They can
be segregated on the basis of their unique substrate-borne courtship 'songs', and the morphology of
the genital lip at the apex of the male abdomen. Of these five taxa, three occur in Britain. All three
are recorded in Essex, but old records for which there is no voucher specimen cannot be segregated.
Henry et al. (1996) provided evidence for the separation of C. lucasina, raising the name from
synonymy; work to establish the correct scientific names for the other two species is to be published
during 2001 (Henry et al. in press), and so in this paper they are referred to informally as Chrysoperla
species A and Chrysoperla species B.
Etymology
From the Latin carnalis = flesh, relating to the pink (carneous) colour acquired by hibernating adults.
The English word "carnal" (of the flesh) has the same root, but no promiscuity on the part of the insect
is implied!
Chrysoperla lucasina (Lacroix, 1912)
National status; Not listed (Common)
Predicted county status: Common/—
Distribution
Re-examination of voucher specimens of
Chrysoperla "carnea" suggests that, in Britain
as a whole, this species is widespread and
common, though by no means as common as
species B. It is expected that as the backlog of
Essex material is studied the insect will be
revealed as a widespread and relatively common
species in the county.
Habitat and ecology
Not known.
Threats
None perceived.
Etymology
Named after Monsieur Daniel Lucas, the collector of the type specimen.
Essex Naturalist (New Series) 17 (2000)
207