Hemichrysa

Hemichrysa is a genus of lacewings in the family Chrysopidae, within the order Neuroptera. Members of Hemichrysa are small to moderately sized green lacewings that occur in a variety of habitats, especially vegetated landscapes such as forests, wetlands, orchards, and agricultural fields. The most distinctive features are typical chrysopid wing venation and a green to yellow-green body, with the eyes often coppery-gold.

Life history: Like other lacewings, Hemichrysa species undergo incomplete metamorphosis: egg, larva, pupa, adult. Eggs are laid on vegetation. Larvae are voracious predators of soft-bodied arthropods, including aphids, mites, and small caterpillars. Adults feed mainly on nectar, pollen, and honeydew, and sometimes on small prey. They are considered beneficial in pest management.

Distribution and ecology: Hemichrysa species are described primarily from the Americas, with records ranging from the southern United States through Central America and into parts of South America. They are typically found in sunny, vegetated microhabitats, including hedgerows, fruit trees, and crop fields.

Taxonomy: The genus was established to accommodate a group of chrysopids with shared venation and morphological traits. Over time, taxonomic revisions have occurred, with some species reassigned to closely related genera within Chrysopidae as more is learned from morphology and, more recently, molecular data.

Species: The genus contains multiple described species, though the exact number varies by source and region, and many taxa remain poorly known or unclear due to limited material.