Hemerobius stigma

A farily common species. The majority of records (and all of mine) are from June to August but there are a scattering of records well outside of this period.

The presence of a recurrent humeral vein and 3-4 branches to the radial vein helps separate Hemerobius from Psectra and Micromus, and the position of veing RMCV (inside the fork of vein M) helps to rule out Wesmaelius. However, note that vein RMCV is often unpigmented in Hemerobius so you may need to look really carefully for this and it might not show up in photos.

This species is unusual among Hemerobius in having a uniformly reddish-brown thorax, lacking a pale stripe down the centre. Hemerobius nitidulus (scarce in Norfolk) can look similar but stigma has a dark vein MCCV and dark membrane surrounding this vein. Hemerobius stigma also has a distinctive orange pterostigma, lacking on nitidulus, although this varies in intensity.

Hemerobius stigma, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 30th July 2020

Hemerobius stigma, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 31st July 2020

Hemerobius stigma, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 5th August 2018

Hemerobius stigma, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 5th July 2019

Hemerobius stigma, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 21st June 2017