INTRODUCTION

The impact of Chrysopidae in the limiting of arthropod populations, especially those with a soft integument such as aphids, lepidopterous larvae, leafhoppers and mites has been frequently noted (Ridgway & Murphy, 1984; Baudry, 1996). The generally negative pressure of pesticides upon the environment compared to cases of agricultural crops managed by biological and integrated protections emphasises this point.

In Romania the following study on Neuroptera species provides some evidence of aspects such as:

• cataloguing the correct identity of lacewing species from this geographical area, the biotopes where these occurred, and their ecological patterns;

• assessment of the species that occur in the agricultural crops of the region and their ecological and behavioural aspects related with these agroecosystems;

• assessment of the factors that influence their occurrence and the effects generated by their presence;

• examination of the factors that allow the conservation of lacewing populations.

CHRYSOPIDAE OF ROMANIA

In Romania the natural environment is characterised by high diversity. In the framework of a temperate continental climate, topography and vegetation is heterogeneous (varied), providing numerous different habitats for a rich fauna.

In an earlier list and classification for Romania (Kis et al., 1970) the Chrysopidae were represented by 6 genera and 24 species. Following our study using the revised classification of Chrysopidae (Brooks & Barnard, 1990), the list for Romania was increased to 29 species belonging to 9 genera (Table 29.1).