Drepanacra binocula

Drepanacra binocula, known as the Australian variable lacewing, is a species of brown lacewing in the family Hemerobiidae, found across Australia and New Zealand, including Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island and the Kermadec Islands.

Description

Australian variable lacewings are typically found in colonies of the insects they prey on. It has been seen feeding on a variety of hosts, including Psyllidae, spruce aphids, pine aphids, whiteflies, Eriosoma lanigerum and Trioza vitreoradiata. Drepanacra binocula can be identified by the distinctive shape and brown colour of its wings.
The species has been established in New Zealand since at least 1930. Drepanacra binocula is host to a parasitic wasp, the Lacewing Parasitoid Wasp Anacharis zealandica.

Life Stages

The early stages of D. binocula are egg, larva, and pupa before they emerge as adults. The eggs are pale grey when laid but darken to grey/brown before hatching. As they hatch, they use a blade-like bodily structure called an oviruptor to pierce the egg. After hatching, they go through three larval stages until they enter a cocoon where they mature until they reach adulthood.