Micromus variegatus

Micromus variegatus

A common species whose peak flying time is late July to mid August. I have seen it between early July and early September but there are several Norfolk records in May and June and even a couple in April and one in early October. There are more records of this species in Norfolk than any other brown lacewing, however I suspect that may be partly due to them being easier to identify than Hemerobius lutescens and Hemerobius humulinus rather than them actually being commoner.

This is quite a distinctive species with a characteristic pattern of dark areas on the wings.

Micromus variegatus, Jubilee Wood, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 31st July 2021

Micromus variegatus, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 15th August 2021

2x Micromus variegatus, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 27th July 2018

male Micromus variegatus showing wings (lit from above and below) and abdomen tip from side and above/below, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 9th May 2022