Sympherobius elegans

Four of the five British Sympherobius species have been found in Norfolk so far but none of them have been recorded more than half a dozen times up to 2025. However, as I've recorded 11 individuals covering all four species in unremarkable habitat here in North Elmham, I think they must be vastly under-recorded.

Most members of the genus tend to be rather dark brown and thus can recall the spongeflies (family Sisyridae). They can be distinguished from spongeflies by the presence of a recurrent humeral vein and the presence of forks in many of the veins along the front margin of the wing. From other genera of brown lacewings they are best differentiated by having fewer cross-veins in the hindwing (specifically, according to Plant (1997), none in the outer third of the hind wing OR no more than 4 altogether) - of course this is very hard to see on a live insect and unlikely to be evident from photos.

Like Sympherobius pygmaeus, but unlike the other species in the genus, elegans has only two branches to the radial sector of the forewing - the others have three. Unlike pygmaeus, the veins are uniformly dark and the thorax lacks the pale centre present in pygmaeus. There are also differences in the marbling of the wing membrane (see Plant for details). Identification of males is best confirmed by examining the tip of the abdomen (again, see Plant for diagrams).

I have found these very active and difficult to photograph.

The first record for Norfolk came when I was netting a moth - in doing so I accidentally clipped the edge of a Prunus tree (Plum I think), looked in the net and found the moth and what turned out to be a male and female Sympherobius elegans.

male Sympherobius elegans showing abdomen tip from side, St Mary's churchyard, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 2nd July 2021

female Sympherobius elegans, St Mary's churchyard, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 2nd July 2021

The next record for Norfolk followed closely, this time in my garden moth trap 700 metres away from the site of the first record. Note that the photos of the forewings below were taken several years after I had identified the specimen and were somewhat faded. This has resulted in some of the veins appearing like they have vague alternate bands of dark and pale, which could suggest pygmaeus. However these light and dark bands are clearer and more extensive in pygmaeus, and they were not noticed on the fresh specimen when first examined.

male Sympherobius elegans showing abdomen tip from side (in tact and with tip detached and cleaned) and both forewings, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 24th July 2021

Another one from my garden moth trap. On this one you can see how at the base of the forewings the longitudinal veins are bordered by clear lines along the adjoining wing membrane.

male Sympherobius elegans showing fore and hind wings together, each forewing separately and tip of abdomen (2 angles), North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 28th June 2025