Catherine Tauber

Professional Overview and Objectives

My research focuses on the systematics of New World Chrysopidae. Emphasis is on the comparative morphology of adults and larvae. Its specific goal is to provide a degree of order to the large and long-neglected fauna of the New World and to bring a broadly based phylogenetic perspective to the family’s classification. The research is conducted in collaboration with Maurice Tauber’s comparative biological studies; thus it benefits from a rich source of phylogenetically significant characters.

Current research focuses on (a) developing keys, larval descriptions, and systematic information on the chrysopids of the USA, (b) completing a revision of the large, endemic neotropical genus Chrysopodes, (c) examining the larval morphology and comparative biology of species in the Hawaiian genus Anomalochrysa and (d) initiating a new project on the large endemic neotropical tribe Leucochrysini. The revision of Chrysopodes will include the first cladistic analysis of a chrysopid genus (in collaboration with Joe McHugh, Univ. of Georgia).

Areas of Expertise

Insect Systematics; Evolutionary Biology; Insect Seasonality

Representative Publications

Tauber, M. J., C. A. Tauber, & T. W. Hilton. 2006. Life history and reproductive behavior of the endemic Hawaiian Anomalochrysa hepatica (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae): a comparative approach. European J. Entomol. 103: 327-336.

Mantoanelli, E., G. A. Albuquerque, C. A. Tauber, & M. J. Tauber. 2006. Leucochrysa (Leucochrysa) varia (Schneider) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae): larval descriptions, developmental rates, and adult color variation. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 99: 7-18.

Tauber, C. A., M. J. Tauber, & G. A. Albuquerque. 2006. Berchmansus elegans (Guérin Méneville) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae): larval and adult characteristics and new tribal affiliation. European J. Entomol. 103: 221-231.

Tauber, C. A., M. J. Tauber, & G. A. Albuquerque. 2005. Characteristics of the Loyola Navás male (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae: Apochrysinae). Proc. Entomol. Soc. Wash. 107: 543-547.

Tauber, C. A. 2004. A systematic review of the genus Leucochrysa (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) in the United States.  Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 97: 1129-1158.

Tauber, C. A. 2003. Generic characteristics of Chrysopodes (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) and with new larval descriptions and a review of species from the United States and Canada. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am.  96 (4) 471-490.

Tauber, C. A., M. J. Tauber & G. S. Albuquerque. 2003. Neuroptera (lacewings, ant-lions), pp. 785-798.  In V. H. Resh & R. Cardé (eds.), Encyclopedia of Insects.  Academic Press, San Diego.

Oswald, J. D. and C. A. Tauber. 2001. Recognition of larval Neuroptera: Preimaginal stages of the family Hemerobiidae, pp. 50-60. In Lacewings in the Crop Environment, P. McEwen, T. R. New & A. E. Whittington (eds.), Cambridge University Press.

Díaz-Aranda, L. M., V. J. Monserrat and C. A. Tauber. 2001. Recognition of larval Neuroptera: Recognition of early stages of Chrysopidae, pp. 60-81. In Lacewings in the Crop Environment, P. McEwen, T. R. New & A. E. Whittington (eds.), Cambridge University Press.

Tauber, M. J., C. A. Tauber, K. M. Daane & K. S. Hagen. 2000. Commercialization of predators: recent lessons from green lacewings (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae: Chrysoperla).  American Entomologist 46: 26-37.

López-Arroyo, J. I., C. A. Tauber & M. J. Tauber. 1999. Comparative life histories of the predators Ceraeochrysa cincta, C. cubana, and C. smithi (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae).  Ann. Entomol. Soc. Amer. 92: 208-217.

Albuquerque, G. A., M. J. Tauber & C. A. Tauber. 1997. Life-history adaptations and reproductive costs associated with specialization in predacious insects. J. Animal Ecology 66: 307-317.

Tauber, C. A. and A. H. Krakauer. 1997. Larval characteristics and generic placement of endemic Hawaiian hemerobiids (Neuroptera).  In The Legacy of R. C. L. Perkins: 100 Years of Hawaiian Entomology (D. Polhemus and J. K. Liebherr, eds.).  Pacific Science 51: 413-423.

Tauber, M. J., C. A. Tauber & S. Masaki. 1986.  Seasonal Adaptations of Insects. Oxford Univ. Press, N.Y. (411 pp.) [previously out-of-print, re-issued in 2002].