Lacewing and Mantidfly

Lacewing and mantidfly are insects in the order Neuroptea (net winged insects). Both are quite rare, at least here in Malaysia. I have only seen like 7 lacewings in four years of macro photography, and even fewer mantidflies!

My first mantidfly. What a gorgeous creature!


Another shot of this beauty.


Some very interesting images of a mantidfly laying eggs here. It is in Mandarin but you can just enjoy the images. Another one here.

A new species I found in Selangor. Also my first time lucky with lacewing. Saw a couple before but never managed any decent shots. I first saw and photographed this species in the wild in its natural habitat on May 10, 2011. A few lacewing experts informed me that this could be a new species. Luckily, I came across this beautiful species again on Jan 27, 2012. Specimen was captured and sent to Mr. Winterton.

New species. Semachrysa jade. Taxon Author: Winterton, Guek & Brooks, 2012. More info here, here and here.

More images of this beautiful lacewing can be found here.
 







My second time lucky with lacewing :)


Third time lucky with green lacewing:)


Another one we found in Gunung Gading, Sarawak. Beautiful brown lacewing. Family: Hemerobiidae, Genus: Micromus(?)




White lacewing, Ankylopteryx sp.




Mnay of you may not have seen a live lacewing before but I am sure you have seen lacewing junior (larva!) at one time or another. Both adult lacewings and larvae are predatory and feed on plant pests like aphids.


All images shot with a 40D, MP-E65, MT-24EX Twin Flash and DIY Concave Diffuser. Full flash, 1/200, around F13, ISO 100, handheld.

Owlflies from Maliau Basin: