About Cryptoscenea australiensis (Enderlein, 1906)
Cryptoscenea australiensis is a species of lacewing that belongs to the subfamily Aleuropteryginae. It was first described by Günther Enderlein in 1906. No subspecies of this species are listed in the Catalog of Life. This species can be found in Eastern Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand, including the Kermadec Islands. The first colony of Cryptoscenea australiensis discovered in New Zealand was found in 1959, and the species survived there because its larvae prey on mealybug eggs. Both adult and larval Cryptoscenea australiensis have been observed preying on mealybugs in apple orchards; adult individuals of the species have also been observed preying on mites.
