INTRODUCTION

The Australian Hemerobiidae are largely endemic, with many of the 34 recorded species (New, 1988) not known elsewhere. Micromus tasmaniae (Walker) is by far the most abundant and widespread hemerobiid in Australia and New Zealand (where it is presumed indigenous, though possibly originating from Australia: Wise, 1992), and has attracted attention as the most frequent lacewing on low vegetation, including common occurrence on a variety of field crops. Its predominance is evident in several surveys noted below, and as New Zealand lacks native Chrysopidae on crops, it has attracted attention there as the lacewing occurring in agricultural systems. It is, likewise, often abundant in Australia. For example, in suction trap catches near Melbourne, Victoria, over three years it comprised 3847/4080 (94.3%) of all Hemerobiidae (New, 1984). Most other Australian hemerobiids are relatively scarce in such collections, and only Drepanacra binocula (Newman) is otherwise likely to be familiar, even to many entomologists. That species also occurs in New Zealand, and like the other New Zealand Micromus species, M. bifasciatus Tillyard, is relatively scarce and not regarded as a significant component of the crop fauna.

BIOLOGY

The two common Australasian hemerobiid species differ considerably in biology.Drepanacra binocula is predominantly arboreal and is a relatively specialised feeder on Psylloidea, whereas Micromus tasmaniae is a more generalised polyphagous feeder on arthropods of low vegetation, though it occurs also on shrubs and trees. The early stages were described by New & Boros (1984).