Snake-flies, alderflies, lacewings and scorpion flies in Essex
Chrysopidia ciliata Wesmael, 1841
National status; Common (Common)
Predicted county status: Common/—
Distribution
Widespread, but local, across the whole county.
Habitat and ecology
The records indicate generally agreement with
Rillington (1937) that this species is associated
with deciduous woodland and hedges. It is also
found in suburban gardens but is apparently
absent from the truly urban areas.
Threats
None perceived.
Etymology
From the Latin cilius = an eye-lash, a reference to
the long, erect hairs on the costa of each forewing.
Cunctochrysa albolineata (Rillington, 1935)
National status: Common (Common) Predicted county status: Common/—
Distribution
Widespread across the entire county.
Habitat and ecology
The larvae are associated with aphids on a wide
range of broad-leaved trees and shrubs in rural
and suburban settings. Adults are very common
in mercury vapour light traps.
Threats
None perceived.
Etymology
A combination of the Latin albus = white with
the Latin Linum = Flax. The original meaning of
the English word "line" was a thread made of linen
(derived from flax). Thus, when one draws a line
on a piece of paper one is actually making a picture of a linen thread! The word "line" is derived from
this: the insect has a "white" linum down its dorsal surface and is, thus, lincatc.
Cunctochrysa bellifontensis Leraut, 1988
National status: Not listed (Unknown) - taxonomic status uncertain Predicted county status:
Unknown/—
Distribution
This species was added to the British list from material collected in Essex (Plant 1993). There are
two Essex records - from East Ham and from Writtle; in both cases these refer to examples in RIS
Essex Naturalist (New Series) 17 (2000)
209