A new species of the charismatic green lacewing genus Glenochrysa Esben-Petersen is described from northern Western Australia. Glenochrysa minima sp. n. represents one of the smallest species of the genus. A key to species of Australian Glenochrysa is presented.

Green lacewing, Chrysopidae , taxonomy

Green lacewings (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) are a diverse and species rich family with ca. 80 genera comprising over 1200 species in found throughout all major biogeographical regions (Brooks and Barnard 1990). The family is divided into three extant subfamilies, Apochrysinae, Nothochrysinae and Chrysopinae. The majority of the generic and species-level diversity in green lacewings is found in Chrysopinae, which includes approximately 97% of all living species. This subfamily is additionally subdivided into four tribes: Belonopterygini, Chrysopini, Leucochrysini and Ankylopterygini (Brooks and Barnard 1990; Winterton and de Freitas 2006). The most diverse tribe is Chrysopini, with over 40 genera world wide. Many genera in this tribe are nondescript green lacewings with hyaline wings requiring male genitalic dissection to confirm identity, but some are distinctive with ornate wing patterns and/or body markings. An example of this is the genus Glenochrysa Esben-Petersen, a genus containing 16 species distributed throughout the Afrotropical, Oriental and Australasian regions (Tjeder 1966; New 1980; Hölzel 1991; Brooks and Barnard 1990; Hölzel and Duelli 2001). A feature characteristic of this genus is the distinctively marked wings, frequently extensive, with additional iridescent embossed pustules on the wing membrane (Brooks and Barnard 1990). Other diagnostic features include in the wing, short Sc vein, meeting the costa before the wing apex, recurrent vein Cu2, and in the male terminalia, tignum and pseudopenis absent, and sternite 8+9 highly modified with medial and lateral projections bearing gonocristae (Tjeder 1966; New 1980; Brooks and Barnard 1990). A spectacular aspect of Glenochrysa morphology and biology is the presence of a large prothoracic gland in the male, described as the ‘glenofinger’ by Duelli (2004) (Fig. 1). While eversible prothoracic glands are known in other Chrysopidae and are used notably for defence (Güsten and Dettner 1991), the shape of this gland and use in males for courtship behaviour is possibly unique to this genus (Duelli 2004). The larva of Glenochrysa is a trash carrying type, confirmed in two species, Glenochrysa ohmi Holzel & Duelli (Hölzel and Duelli 2001) and Glenochrysa opposita (McLachlan) (SLW, unpublished observations).

Figure 1. 

Glenochrysa principissa Navás, male with prothoracic ‘glenofinger’ gland everted on ceiling in Sihangwana, South Africa, (February, 2002) (from Duelli 2004).

Five previously described species of Glenochrysa are known from Australia (New 1980), all from the eastern state of Queensland: G. franzeni Kimmins, G. tillyardi New, G. opposita, G. irregularis (Banks) and G. regularis (Banks). A sixth species of Glenochrysa is described here from northwestern Australia based on two male specimens. This species is atypical for the genus, due to is unusually small size, but is clearly placed in the genus based on wing and male genitalic characters. A revised key to Australian species of Glenochrysa is presented.

Terminology follows Tjeder (1966) and Brooks and Barnard (1990). Genitalia were macerated in 10% KOH to remove soft tissue, then rinsed in distilled water and dilute glacial acetic acid, dissected in 80% ethanol and subsequently stained with a solution of Chlorazol Black in 40% ethanol. The dissected genitalia were placed in glycerine in a genitalia vial mounted on the pin beneath the specimen.

This research was supported by the National Science Foundation (DEB-1144119). Statements and viewpoints expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the opinion of NSF. Thank you to Michael Whiting (Brigham Young University) for loan of the specimens.