Adaptation

 

     The Chrysopa oculata is medium sized (15-22 mm). It has chewing mouthparts, two golden eyes and a black banding on the head. The body is usually elongate and green in color. The antennae are long and slender. The Chrysopa oculata have many-veined, lacelike, transparent wings that are held roof like over the back when not in use. Adults are generally terrestrial but they spend large amounts of time in the air flying (Dunn 1996). Dormancy in Chrysopa oculata is controlled by responses to photoperiod and temperature. Differences in both the critical photoperiod for diapause induction and the duration of diapause are related to the latitudinal origin of the population. The incidence of photoperiodically induced diapause also varies geographically; at 24°C the southern-most population is more variable for diapause induction than the northern populations (Nechols et al. 1987).