Green lacewing to identify please

[Gateside]

I have placed one photo of the head part of a green lacewing. I have other photos of the wings, but no single photo with everything in focus.

I wondered if it is possible to confirm identification as Chrysopa pallens, since my ref insect book states that this has 7 tiny black dots on the head.

Given the lighting conditions,the grey circles I have do seem to be effectively the same thing.

[Fauna]

Hi Gateside, Welcome to WAB.

It would be great if you could post the photos of the wings. Though, I can't remember the important shots as my key to these is boxed up at the moment. I know others will help shortly.

Regards Chris.

[Gateside]

Hi Chris
It will take me some time to sort out the best wing pics for uploading, so don't hold your breath.

Nigel

[Geoff F]

If possible.

Is there a black spot between the antennae? Are there any darker veins on the wings? Is the wing length longer than 16 mm? Is the wing edge concave or convex? Are there any dark marks on the head in front of the antennae?

That photo shows the base of the antenna well.

I suspect the faint discolouration on the head isn't important and is just natural variation in colour. The spot between the antennae, or absence of, is more important.

Depending on this spot I would expect that lacewing to be C. pallens, C. carnea (general group) or one of the Nineta species.

[Gateside]

Attempying a reply to the questions....
The lacewing was quite big, so I am fairly sure its wing was longerthan 16 mm.

I can see no spot between the antennae, though don't have a front view, jst top downwards. Only spots are grey ovals in a flat triangle, as per 1st picture loaded.
Wing edge is strongly convex towards base, never concave.
Not sure how you would judge whether dark veins or not - perhaps you could look at my new photos, because I would not like to say.

Unfortunately I can no longer see your questions, but think I've answered them, hopefully..

Latest wing photos below.

[Geoff F]

Well if there definitely isn't a black spot between the antennae and the wings are longer than 16 mm my attempt at following the keys brings me to Nineta flava.

But a word of warning. I'm not an expert on lacewings, I'm just trying to follow the keys in the Aidgap Lacewing book.

[Gateside]

Geoff, thanks for following that through with a proper key.

I will see if I can check that out by some other means, though I don't know how at the moment!

Nigel

[Geoff F]

I see that the Essex Field Club have some useful information about Lacewings in their latest newsletter and the JNCC have a useful atlas of sightings.

But they are both PDF downloads so I can't directly link you to them. However if you search for Lacewing Recording Schemes you should find them.

[Jason Green]

Do you have a specimen? There are a number of additional points I would check before I personally named a specimen such as coxal hairs. However, if I have seen the cross-vein correctly it is exceeded by the tip of cell IMC and subsequently looks to be Nineta flava - good work by Geoff there.

However, it's an exception rather than the norm that these can be done photographically - in examining Chrysopids from various local habitats at varying times of year the only one I have ever recorded has been Chrysopa lucasina.

[Gateside]

No, I don't have a specimen. (as a point of principle, I don't tend to capture and collect specimens of any sort, unless I know it's not rare, and there is no other way of identifying it, or exceptional circumstances maybe ....)

I have actually send all my photos (lots) on a photo CD to a consultant entomologist, and he confirms it is Nineta flava.
Having looked at the distribution via NBN, it is quite an unusual ob for Cumbria.

Nigel