Mallada basalis is a species of green lacewing in the family Chrysopidae,[12] first described by Francis Walker in 1853.[11] No subspecies are listed in the Catalog of Life.[13] The species was detected on mainland New Zealand in the 2010s.
| Mallada basalis | |
|---|---|
_(AM_AMNZ135324-2).jpg) | |
| Mallada basalis from New Zealand | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Neuroptera |
| Family: | Chrysopidae |
| Genus: | Mallada |
| Species: | M. basalis |
| Binomial name | |
| Mallada basalis Walker, 1853 | |
| Synonyms | |
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Description and ecology
Mallada basalis has a length of 10–15 mm, and typically has a pale green colour.[12] Its translucent, veined wings are iridescent in natural sunlight.[12] Specimens can be identified by a green pterostigma present in the hind wings that is not present in Chrysopidae of a similar appearance.[12]
Distribution and habitat
Mallada basalis has been identified on the Eastern states of Australia, the Philippines, Taiwan, the Ryukyu Islands, Micronesia and Polynesia (including an outlier population on Easter Island).[12] Mallada basalis has been seen living in both suburban and native flora environments.[12]
The first confirmed sighting of Mallada basalis in New Zealand was in 1940 on the Kermadec Islands, though evidence of the species may go back as far as 1908.[14] In 2010, a specimen was identified on Tiritiri Matangi Island in the Hauraki Gulf, and the first specimen in Auckland was identified in 2016.[12] By 2020, Mallada basalis was present across the Auckland and Northland Regions.[12] As of 2020, it is unclear if this species self-introduced to New Zealand, or if it was introduced due to human activity.[12] The impact of this species on New Zealand is currently unknown. No native Chrysopidae species have been previously described from mainland New Zealand; their presence may control agricultural pests such as aphids and mealybugs, or pose a risk to native insect life.[12] Many lacewing species were imported to New Zealand between the 1920s and 1970s, however none successfully established populations in the country.[15]