About the Lichen-Carrying Green Lacewing
Leucochrysa pavida is a species of green lacewing in the family Chrysopidae. They are commonly found in the Americas, with specific accounts in South Carolina, USA and Cordova, Mexico.Leucochrysa pavida is observed commonly in its larval stage, with its adult stage being slightly more difficult to differentiate from other Leucochrysa. They consume soft-bodied arthropods and reproduce sexually.
Leucochrysa pavida is described as being predominantly light green. However, the head is cream to yellow, and the wings are pale, almost completely clear. They also have two lateral black stripes on the thorax. While Leucochrysa tend to look similar, Leucochrysa pavida are unique in that they are larger than their relatives and have a green, unmarked frons and vertex.
The larvae of Leucochrysa pavida are often lichen-clad. This means they use lichen and other tree litter, including pollen and moss, to camouflage themselves from predators. This disguise is also used to hunt. It leaves them with an appearance akin to a piece of old bark. Without the lichen, the larvae of Leucochrysa pavida appear white with black spots covered in spines. Their mandibles... Wikipedia →