1981] 
Duelli & Johnson — Green Lacewings 
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vior was strongly developed in species of the genera Meleoma and 
Eremochrysa, but was even more conspicuous in the Indo-Pacific 
lacewing M. basalis, as observed on the island of American Samoa. 
In this species, the males flapped their wings so vigorously that they 
hit the substrate and produced sounds easily perceptible to the 
human ear. Heavily developed pterostigmata in the hind wings of 
the male may enhance substrate vibration and protect the wings 
from damage (Fig. 1). During courtship, the males moved forward 
Figures 1-5. Fig. 1. Forewing and hind wing of female (left) and male (right) 
Mallada basalis. The arrow indicates the heavily developed pterostigma in the 
hindwing of the male. Fig. 2. Stationary flight of a tethered Chrysoperla carnea 
male. Strobe flashes (60 Hz, exposure 0.25 sec) show the extent of the abdominal 
motion. Fig. 3. Chrysoperla carnea male mounted horizontally on a flight mill. 
Strobe flashes (54 Hz) show the exact antiphase of abdominal and wing vibration. 
Fig. 4. Chrysoperla carnea male mounted on a flight mill in “natural” flight position 
as shown in figure 2. Any forced deviation from the “natural” body angle leads to an 
increased amplitude of the abdominal vibration (See figure 3 for comparison). 
Fig. 5. Same specimen and same position as in Fig. 3. 400 Hz strobe flashes show 
the full flow of the movements of wings and abdomen. 
