Snake-flies, alderflies, lacewings and scorpion flies in Essex
Dichochrysa prasina (Burmeister, 1839)
National status; Common (Common)
Predicted county status: Common/—
Distribution
Widespread. Until fairly recently, British workers
followed the dictum of Rillington (1937) that this
was a mere subspecies of D. ventralis with a
green abdominal venter. The wider availability
of continental literature has rectified this error,
but unless a voucher specimen has been
examined, previously published records may
have to be ignored.
Habitat and ecology
Apparently far less dependant than D. ventralis
upon trees it is recorded from unimproved and
semi-improved grasslands, woodland edges,
wetlands, sand dunes and hedgerows across
Britain. It is also quite common in suburban gardens and in town parks where there arc shrubs.
Threats
None perceived.
Etymology
From the Latin prasinus = green, specifically "light green". The English adjectives prasine & prasinous
both mean light green).
Dichochrysa ventralis (Curtis, 1834)
National status; Common (Common) Predicted county status; Common/—
Distribution
Widespread. Comments made under D. prasina
above concerning older records apply equally to
this species.
Habitat and ecology
Woodlands, hedgerows and gardens with trees
all feature in the records, though many examples
are recorded from light traps. D. ventralis is
readily beaten from the lower branches of trees,
with birch and sallow featuring prominently
amongst records from the whole of Britain.
Threats
None perceived.
Etymology
From the Latin venter = belly or under-side which, on the abdomen, is black in this insect.
Essex Naturalist (New Series) 17 (2000)
211