File: <hemer1.ima.htm> [For educational purposes only] Terminology Glossary <Principal Natural
Enemy Groups > <Citations> |
Immature Stages
of Hemerobiidae
Detailed information on immature stages of Hemerobiidae is being
acquired. However, Clausen (1940)
noted that all species were predaceous attacking mainly aphids, but also
chermids, mealybugs, white flies and sometimes diaspine scales. Withycomb (1922, 1923) found that the eggs
in all species are laid on the side.
They are whitish, grayish or even pink and elongated oval, with the
chorion frequently pitted, and bearing a knob-like or disk-like micropyle,
often of great size. In Wesmaelius the chorion is
densely studded with glossy papillate projections. The egg breaker is shaped like a saw. The eggs of Hemerobius
pini are pale cream in
color, but change to brown before hatching. There are 3 active larval instars, which are similar to the
larvae of Chrysopidae. Only the 1st
instar larva has a trumpet-shaped tarsal claws, while they occur on all
instars of Chrysopidae. The cocoons
of this family differ markedly from the nearly spherical parchment-like ones
of Chrysopidae, being loosely woven, double-walled, and elliptical. They are usually found in protected places
rather than exposed on the foliage or bark.
The pupal skin is cast outside the cocoon. References: Please refer to <biology.ref.htm>,
[Additional
references may be found at: MELVYL Library ] |