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Green lacewings are common in much of North America.
Adults feed only on nectar, pollen, and aphid honeydew, but their larvae
are active predators.
Description- Adult green lacewings are pale
green, about 12-20 mm long, with long antennae and bright, golden eyes.
They have large, transparent, pale green wings and a delicate body. Adults
are active fliers, looking like little fairies while flying
They lay oval shaped eggs that are laid singly at the
end of long silken stalks and are pale green, turning gray in several
days. The larvae, which are very active, are gray or brownish and the larvae resemble little
“alligators”, and are gray green in color. Larvae grow from <1 mm to 6-8
mm.
Host Pests- Although the green lacewing is
best known for its appetite for aphids, it can also be a highly effective
general predator. Not only will they prey on spider mites, but also small
worms, immature whiteflies, leafhopper nymphs, immature mealybugs, thrips,
scales, and caterpillar eggs.
Biology- Green lacewings overwinter as adults,
usually in leaf litter at the edge of fields. When spring some the females
will lay hundred of eggs though the summer. Eggs typically hatch within a
3-6 days. Once
hatched, the larvae need to feed immediately.
If you buy lacewing larva you need to release them
immediately, to avoid cannibalism. They will start feeding
once they find their insect-pest prey. After 2-3 weeks the larvae will
pupate by spinning a cocoon with silken thread. The adults emerge in
about 5 days, mate, and the females lay their eggs. Each female can
produce up to 600 eggs, which are laid on top of hair-like filaments. It should be noted, however, that lacewings are not
likely to reproduce in a greenhouse environment.
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Adult Lacewing
Lacewing larva
feeding on aphids. They resemble little
“alligators”, and are gray green in color. |
