Lacewing

The aphid lion

Lacewing larvae are the farmers’ friend — voracious predators that consume 100–600 aphids in their two-to-three-week larval period. They’re called “aphid lions” for good reason: the larva approaches an aphid, grabs it with curved hollow mandibles, injects digestive enzymes, and sucks out the liquefied contents — consuming one aphid every 1–2 minutes when prey is abundant.

The larva also attacks spider mites, thrips, whitefly, and small caterpillars. Commercial lacewing eggs are sold as biological control agents for greenhouse and garden pest management.

Adult appearance

The common green lacewing is unmistakable when seen close up:

• Pale green body, 12–20 mm wingspan
• Wings translucent with an intricate network of green veins (the “lace” in lacewing)
• Large golden or copper compound eyes — iridescent in sunlight

Adults are weak fliers, mostly nocturnal, attracted to lights. They overwinter by entering diapause; some species turn brown/pink in autumn to camouflage against winter backgrounds.

The egg on a stalk

Lacewing eggs are laid on the end of thin silken stalks attached to leaves — an unusual strategy. The stalks (up to 25 mm long) separate the eggs from each other and from the leaf surface, preventing the first-hatched larva from eating the adjacent eggs before they hatch. This is one of the more elegant solutions to sibling cannibalism in the insect world.

The role of the adult

Adult lacewings primarily feed on honeydew (the sugary secretions of aphids and whiteflies) and pollen — they are actually beneficial pollinators as well as predator parents. Providing a garden rich in small flowers (fennel, dill, marigolds) encourages adults to stay and lay more eggs in the vicinity.