Micromus tasmaniae facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Micromus tasmaniae |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Micromus
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| Species: |
tasmaniae
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The Tasmanian brown lacewing, also known as Micromus tasmaniae, is a small insect. It belongs to a group of insects called brown lacewings. These lacewings are part of the Hemerobiidae family.
You can find this lacewing in many places. It lives across Australia and New Zealand. It also lives on some Pacific Islands, like New Caledonia and Vanuatu.
Contents
About the Tasmanian Brown Lacewing
What it Looks Like
Adult Tasmanian brown lacewings are quite small. They are usually about 7.5 to 10 millimeters long. That's less than half an inch!
These lacewings typically have clear wings. Their bodies are usually brown. You can tell them apart from a similar species, Micromus bifasciatus, by looking at their front wings. The Tasmanian brown lacewing has a spotted pattern. The Micromus bifasciatus has brown bands instead.
What it Eats
Tasmanian brown lacewings eat different things. They drink nectar from flowers. They also help farmers by eating tiny pests. These pests include aphids and psyllids. Aphids are small insects that can harm plants.
Life Cycle and Habits
These lacewings are mostly active at night. This means they are nocturnal. During the day, adult lacewings and their young (larvae) hide. Larvae often hide at the bottom of plants.
The lacewing's life cycle depends on the temperature. Warmer temperatures make their young grow faster. They can breed all year round. They can even survive in cool temperatures, as low as 5°C (41°F).
Female lacewings lay oval-shaped white eggs. They often place these eggs on plant hairs. They also lay them on spider webs. They usually lay their eggs close to where their food, like aphids, can be found.
Where it Lives
Finding Them in Nature
The Tasmanian brown lacewing is very common. It is found widely across Australia. It is likely the most common lacewing in both Australia and New Zealand.
This species has been in New Zealand for a long time. People first noted it there around 1869. It has been found in very remote parts of New Zealand. This includes islands like the Chatham Islands, Auckland Islands, Antipodes Islands, and Kermadec Islands.
Their Favorite Plants
These lacewings are found on many different types of plants. They have been seen eating aphids on alfalfa plants. They are much more adaptable than Micromus bifasciatus. That species usually lives only on Podocarpus trees.
