Blue-eyed Lacewing

Phil in NSW
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Blue-eyed Lacewing
Blue-eyed Lacewing

Nymphes myrmeleonoides
Subfamily: Nymphinae
Family: Nymphidae
Order: Neuroptera

This species, N. myrmeleonoides is the most commonly observed species in the genus according to inaturalist records. It is found throughout the east coast of Australia. Alternative common names include "blue eyes lacewing" and "large yellow lacewing".

The larvae are litter dwellers and hunt for small insects. They are also said to construct pit traps in sandy soil to capture small insects such as ants. It is possible however that such pit-trap dwellers are being mistakenly identified as blue-eyed lacewings as the larvae do resemble ant-lions. Indeed, the larvae are sometimes referred to as "ant lions", though that term is more correctly given to a broad group in three different subfamilies within the Neuroptera family of Family Myrmeleontidae (Dendroleontinae, Myrmeleontinae and Nemoleontinae).

The adults are thought to be predatory and are primarily active at night. They are often attracted to porch lights and are frequent visitors to light traps. They are clumsy fliers and tend to only fly short distances at a time. The males said to emit a strong musky smell when disturbed. (However, I cannot verify and don't know how to distinguish the sexes - can anyone advise?).

The eggs are laid on branches on the ends of threads and usually in a U-shape pattern. There are typically 30 eggs in a clutch. Consecutive eggs are laid at 90 degrees to each other.

This image is a focus-stack of three handheld shots taken in ambient light using a 100-400mm lens on a Sony A7R.

Etymology: the name myrmeleonoides means resembling an ant lion ("myrme" for ant, and "Leo" for lion and "-oides" meaning "resembling").


DSC02479 _DSC02480 plus DSC02483-LR TZ

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Taken on: January 3, 2025
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Sets appears in:   • Neuroptera - Lacewings    • Australian Insects    more » • Eurobodalla National Park    • Eurobodalla Shire    « less
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