Number 23 Winter 1998/99

Articles for inclusion in this newsletter are warmly welcomed. Ideally, contributions should be sent by e-mail or else as a file readable by Word for Windows on a disk in a PC compatible format. Typed or hand-written contributions are quite acceptable however of you do not have access to a word processor.

Neuro News is published by the BRITISH ISLES NEUROPTERIDA RECORDING SCHEME from the Biological Records Centre, ITE Monks Wood, Abbots Ripton, Huntingdon, PE17 2LS, England and is

EDITED BY Colin W. Plant at 14 West Road, Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire, CM23 3QP, England.

Specimens for identification or verification are positively welcomed at the editorial address provided that they are accompanied by full data. Please, always state whether or not return of the specimen(s) is required otherwise they will be retained in my collection. For larger packages, please enclose return postage stamps. Telephone/Facsimile callers on 01279-507697 (UK) or ++-44-1279-507697 (from overseas). E-mail Colinwplant@compuserve.com

Neuro News may now also be read by those interested and with access to a computer on the internet at address http://entowww.tamu.edu/research/neuropterida/neuroweb.html

Back numbers of Neuro News may be obtained from Biological Records Centre, ITE Monks Wood, Abbots Ripton, Huntingdon, PE17 2LS, England.

Details of British Isles recording schemes for other invertebrate groups may be obtained from Dr Henry Arnold at the Monks Wood address.

Welcome to the new look newsletter of the British Isles Neuropterida Recording Scheme. Going "tabloid" means we get more words on less pages; I hope it meets with approval.

General feeling seems to be that 1998 was rather poor for lacewings. But although there were low numbers there were nevertheless a number of interesting species records made. Right down in the Channel Islands, David Charles recorded Sisyra fuscata and Wesmaelius quadrifasciatus, both of which appear to be new to the Channel Islands since publication of the Atlas in 1994, whilst three more - Euroleon nostras, Coniopteryx tineiformis and Conwentzia psociformis are new to Guernsey. He also discovered E. nostras new to the island of Herm. This is of particular interest because Euroleon nostras also turned up on the south coast of England during the year. On 2nd September, Gill Hollamby and David Walker were surprised to discover one near to the mv light trap at Dungeness Bird Observatory, East Kent. The identification was confirmed from photographs. Then, on 6th September, Colin Milkins, found an adult of the same species in a spider web in his garden at St Leonard's, East Sussex. This record was particularly interesting since because the wings were not fully hardened, clearly indicating a locally bred insect. The specimen was sent and is now in my collection. A note on these two sightings will appear in the journal Entomologist's Record. Clearly, it is well worth searching suitable sandy sites in south-eastern coastal England for this species during 1999, especially those with a presence of tall Scots Pines. The larval pits ought to be in evidence by May and are easily spotted when one has "got ones eye in".

Also, in the last few days Stephen Hind has sent me a female Hemerobius specimen from Higher Poynton in Cheshire. The insect has a glossy black frons but completely unmarked wing membranes and appears to be an example of Hemerobius handschini, not previously recorded in Britain. This seems a very unlikely county for a very unlikely insect, and it is essential that a male is found before it can be formally added to the British list. It really is worth collecting lacewings from moth traps!!!

Newsletter number 8 of the International Association of Neuropterology appeared during October 1998. Those who wish to subscribe should contact Dr Norman D. Penny, California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA.

Finally in this introductory section, we welcome two new readers. Harry Eales

unfortunately got missed out in the last issue. His address is 11 Ennerdale Terrace, Low Westwood, Derwentside, Co. Durham, NE17 7PN. John Poland is our other new reader and he resides at 240 Portswood Rd, Portswood, Southampton, Hants SO17 2LE.

Denis Ovenden, 57 Copthall Lane, Chalfont St. Peter, Bucks, SL9 ODG

A pan-European team of entomologists is approaching completion of a major project relating to Neuroptera, which will update the 1980 two-volume work Die Neuropteren Europas by Aspöck, Aspöck & Hölzel. Nevertheless, several requirements remain unfulfilled. Two of these relate to information required by the illustrator, and are specifically, a good, recent description, plus photograph or drawing of the larva of Drepanepteryx phalaenoides. An impression of the larva based on an indistinct photograph, a colour description more than 100 years old, and a small colour drawing by Frohawk, is included here. Is this the larva of D. phalaenoides, or do you know different? Any help on this animal would be welcome and duly acknowledged.

Similarly with the larva of Sympherobius elegans; of this we have nothing beyond a very basic line drawing by Withycombe in 1923, with no description or colour note of any sort. It beggars belief that keen entomologists can do this. The texts are as bad. "So and so raised several imagines of D. phalaenoides from larvae taken from a rolled up beach leaf" but the tiresome fellow never bothered to describe the larva! Incredible.

Please send any E-mail concerning this to Tony Sargeant at ts@ts.prestel.co.uk or by post to Denis Ovenden at the address above.

Harry Eales, 11 Ennerdale Terrace, Low Westwood, Derwentside, Co. Durham, NE17 7PN

This "green" lacewing is a scarce species in Northumberland and County Durham. There are only twelve records known to me from ten different ten-kilometre squares dating from 1978 to 1998. During 1998 I was fortunate to meet with this insect in four different localities in South Northumberland. The first specimen taken had what appeared to be a small piece of bird dropping on the abdomen. This was gently scraped off to improve the looks of the insect as I wished to retain it as a cabinet specimen.

Over the next two months I met with three additional specimens in widely spaced locations. Two of these insects also had a white coloured appendage, in exactly the same location on the abdomen. It was now rather obvious that these were not bird droppings! A further specimen was found amongst some papered insects taken in 1978. Of the five specimens I have examined, four had this unusual attachment to the upper-side of the abdomen, occupying two of the last three segments. I have not seen anything similar on any other species of Neuroptera nor indeed on any other insect species.

An examination under the microscope gives no apparent clue to what it is. It looks like a minute piece of suet, a waxy, creamy-white in colour and rough in texture, about 2 - 3 mm in length, 1.5 mm high and 1.5 mm in width (see Figure 2). A jagged line runs from front to rear over the top. As the three specimens taken this year were all killed by freezing the object, if animate, would also have died at the same time. Any specimens encountered next year will be kept alive to enable observations to be made. In the meantime I can only come up with the following suggestions:

a. A fungal growth

b. An ectoparasite in some sort of case

c. Some kind of secretion from the insect

Does anyone have any ideas? Has anyone met with this "growth" on this or any other species of lacewing? I would be keen to hear any suggestions.

Recently published papers relevant to the study of Neuroptera, Raphidioptera, Megaloptera or Mecoptera will, if sent to me, automatically be included; older papers may be included if space permits or if they are particularly relevant.

Aspöck, H., 1998. Descriptions and illustrations of Raphidioptera in the early entomological literature before 1800. Acta Zoologica Fennica 209: 7-31.

A absolutely fascinating account, in English, from the undoubted world-authority on the group. The earliest illustration appears to be that by Thomas Mouffet published in 1634. Well worth reading.

Aspöck, H., 1998. Distribution and biogeography of the order Raphidioptera: updated facts and a new hypothesis. Acta Zoologica Fennica 209: 33-44.

The distribution of the known 204 extant species of Raphidioptera is discussed. The true figure may be more than 250 species. The group is more or less restricted to the Holarctic Region. Studies show that the group derives from a Mesozoic fauna established before the break-up of South America from Africa and the break-up of Laurasia. This fauna was much richer than the extant one and snake-flies were also in tropical areas and the southern hemisphere. Tropical lines almost certainly became extinct at the end of the Cretaceous, 65 million years ago.

Aspöck, H., &Canard, M., 1998. Report on an informal discussion on future projects and research themes in Neuropterology. Acta Zoologica Fennica 209: 285-280.

Summarises the projects named by participants at the last two symposia - in Luchon and Cairo. Useful, but because it is restricted to symposium participants likely to be incomplete.

Aspöck, H., & Aspöck, U. & Raausch, H., 1998. Usbekoraphidia turkestanica (H. Aspöch & U. Aspöck & Martynova 1968)? Zur Kenntnis der Taxonomie, Ökologie und Chlorologie mittelasiatischer Raphidiiden (Insecta: Raphidioptera: Raphidiidae). Stapfia 55: 421 - 457.

What is U. terkestanica? A contribution to the taxonomy, ecology and chorology of the Raphidiidae of Middle Asia. Usbekoraphidia is a synonym of Mongoloraphidia Aspöck & Aspöck, and Bureschiella Popov is placed in synonymy with Usbekoraphidia. Redescriptons of M. (U.) turkestanica and M. (U.) josifovi are presented.

Aspöck, U., & Nemeschkal, H. L., 1998. A cladistic analysis of the Berothidae (Neuroptera). Acta Zoologica fennica. 209: 45 - 63.

Cladistic analysis resulted in the following groups: an unresolved trichotomy involving Nyrma, Menselliberotha and Cyrenoberotha and four monophyletic groups interpreted as subfamilies - Protobiellinae subfam. nov., Trichomatinae stat.nov., Nosybinae and berothinae. Genera Naizema and Spiroberotha are transferred from Berothinae to Nosybinae.

Devetak, D., 1997. Genus Macronemurus Costa, 1855 in the northwestern part of the Balkan Peninsula (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae). Annals for Istrian and Mediterranean Studies. 11/'97: 203 - 208.

The distribution of M. appendiculatus (Latr.) and M. bilineatus Brauer in the region is described and a preliminary analysis of the food of M. appendiculatus is carried out.

Devetak, D., 1997. (ival meseca novembra: Navadna ten(i(arica. Proteus 3(60): 134 - 135. In Slovenian.

The title translates as "Animal of the month, November: the common lacewing" (I think!) and is an informal article about Chrysoperla carnea.

Devetak, D., 1998. Detection of substrate vibration in Neuropteroidea: a review. Acta Zoologica Fennica 209: 87 - 94.

The morphological and physiological aspects of vibrational communication in Neuropteroidea are discussed.

Devetak, D., 1998. Neuroptera in different habitats in Istria and Quarnero (NW Balkan). Zoologica Fennica 209: 95 - 98.

A list of species recorded is given. Certain ecosystems are characterised by certain assemblages of the Neuroptera.

Devetak, D., Drašlar, K, & Fišer, I., 1996. Staining of two scolopidial organs in the legs of the green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens). Znanstvena Revija 8: 121 - 128.

The structure of the pre-tarsal organ and certain parts of the subgenual organ are described.

Greve, Lita, 1997. The family Coniopterygidae (Neuroptera) in Norway. Fauna norv. serv. B44: 143-157.

Reports on a survey of Norwegian Coniopterygidae based on 2178 specimens. A checklist of the nine Norwegian species is given along with data on distribution, phenology and biology.

Hölzel, H., Ohm, P. & Stelzl, M. 1997. Chrysopidae von Namibia. Mitt. München Ent. Ges. 87: 47 - 71.

All known records of the 26 Neuroptera species in Namibia are discussed. Two new species are described - Dichochrysa bibens and Dichochrysa alliumolens. The larvae of five species are figured and described. Two new combinations are proposed - Chrysopa tacta and Mallada namibiensis are transferred to Dichochrysa. In German.

Kral, K. & Stelzl, M. 1998. Daily visual sensitivity pattern in the green lacewing Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). European Journal of Entomology 95: 327 - 333.

24-hour experiments on dark-adapted eyes of C. carnea showed significant daily changes in absolute sensitivity to different colour stimuli but no changes in the spectral sensitivity. Daily sensitivity pattern is in agreement with daily flight activity pattern.

Lemesle, A., Thierry, D. Foussard, F. & Canard, M. 1998. Preliminary study of lipids in Chrysoperla kolthoffi (Navás) during diapause (Neuroptera, Chrysopidae). Acta Zoologica Fennica 209: 141 - 144.

The nature of the lipids in a French population of this taxon is investigated.

Ohm, P. & Hölzel, H. 1998. A contribution to the knowledge of the neuropterous fauna of the Comoros: The Neuroptera of Mayotte. Acta Zoologica Fennica 209: 183 - 194.

31 species of Neuroptera are known from the Comoros Islands [Madagascar]. A newsynonym and a new combination are proposed - Cintameva polyneura is a synonym of Chrysopa duplicata and Chrysopa sjoestedti is transferred to Dichochrysa.

Saure, C. 1998. Nineta guadarramensis (Pictet, 1865) - eine für Deutschland neue Florfliege (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). Galathea 3: 3 - 6.

Nineta guadarramensis is reported new to Germany. Data on taxonomy, ecology and distribution are given. The new German records are the most northerly for Europe.

Thierry, D, Cloupeau, R. Jarry, M. & Canard, M. 1998. Discrimination of the West-Palaearctic Chrysoperla Steinmann species of the carnea Stephens group by means of claw morphology (Neuroptera, Chrysopidae). Acta Zoologica Fennica 209: 255 - 262.

The tarsal claw shape and measurements produce usable results for species separation and identify an un-named morph from Greece. This paper contains a new key to the taxa in the carnea complex.

Now that the winter is more or less upon us it is time to start sending me your 1998 records of lacewings (and earlier years if you have not yet done so). Free recording cards are available from the Monks Wood address on page 1. Please send completed cards to me as soon as possible so I can start to update the distribution maps.

Volume 1 (1998) of this new annual journal is now available at £40. Order from

Andrew E. Whittington

Journal of Neuropterology

Business Manager/Treasurer

National Museums of Scotland

Chambers Street, Edinburgh,

Scotland, EH1 IJF

tel: 0131 247 4261; fax: 0131 220 4819

e-mail: aew@nms.ac.uk

Further details are provided on page 3 at internet address

http://www.ucm.es/info/zoo/JofN.htm

Newcomers to Neuroptera (as well as old dinosaurs like the me), really should get acquainted with the various Neuroptera related items on the internet. If you have a computer with internet access all you need to do is visit the Neuroptera Home Page by typing in the address

http://entowww.tamu.edu/research/neuropterida/

neuroweb.html

If you are new to or nervous of such things get someone to show you - its really very easy (even I can use it). This gives you access to all sorts of things of interest about lacewings and there is no charge for visiting the site. Here you will find details of, for example, Neuroptera-L - an electronic notice board. One e-mail message sent (free) to this address once you have subscribed (also free) will then automatically be sent to everyone else who has subscribed. Thus you can reach almost everybody, all over the world, in one go - and they can reach you. I find this particularly useful.

Also here you will find a directory of everyone with an interest in Neuroptera. Everyone who receives their own copy of Neuro News is already listed so you will find yourself there and you will also find that there is a facility attached to your entry to allow you to change or add to your details so that people can know what your interests are. You can update your entry as often as you like.

Then there is the Bibliography which contains citations to 8975 publications. You can also read the American Neuropterists' Newsletter edited by Norm penny and issues of Neuro News from number 17 onwards. Don't delay - visit this site today!!!

About June 1999.Please let me have all contributions by the end of May is possible. I look forward to hearing from you.