Lacewings (Neuroptera) as beneficial insects in orchards: findings for plum and cherry trees in Lombardy (northern Italy)

During faunal investigations of Neuropterida in two areas of Lombardy (northern Italy), i.e. Lomellina (province of Pavia) and Val Camonica (province of Brescia), the author also conducted field research in mixed-fruit family orchards (one orchard in each area) in which plum and cherry trees are present. More than twenty identified species of Neuroptera (Chrysopidae, Hemerobiidae, Coniopterygidae) were collected in all on these drupaceous trees. The mountain orchard in Val Camonica was found to be clearly richer in species than the lowland orchard in Lomellina. The different eco-clymatic, and especially the vegetational features of the two areas explain the differences in number of species in lacewing populations of the two different orchards.