Pale green lacewing - Chrysoperla carnea?

[NickU]

Can anyone confirm that this is the Green lacewing Chrysoperla carnea? It seems to be much paler and less green than they usually are, but maybe this is typical of this species after overwintering as adults?

It was vibrating its abdomen - a courtship display using ultrasonic signals - but not helpful for sharp focus...

18.4.10 Wiltshire

Nick Upton - naturalist and photographer

[Geoff F]

It certainly looks the correct shape for the Chrysopidae family but eventually reaching a correct identification will come down to carefully examining the wing veins.

But to start with, are there any black markings on top of the head? That should narrow the options considerably.

But I'm definitely not an expert with lacewings so in reality I can only point you to the Field Studies Council publication in their Aidgap series which, if you can clearly see the veins, should get you to a firm identification.

For the modest price, I think this publication is a bargain http://www.field-studies-council.org....aspx?Code=245

[NickU]

Thanks again Geoff. Here is a close up crop of the head, with no clear markings that I can see. I read somewhere since posting the first image that the only British species of Chrysoperla that overwinters as an adult is C. carnea (and presumably my insect must have just woken up on one of the first springlike days of the year) and that it is known for becoming paler when entering diapause, so maybe this has to be C. carnea unless the head detail says otherwise (and you can't believe everything you read on the internet...)
Nick