Lacewings are flying insects with lacy, netted wings that extend in an oval beyond their slim bodies. Adults of this predaceous insect are commonly referred to as green lacewings and they measure about 1 inch long.
Lacewings
Adult lacewings are in the Family Chrysopidae (pronounced cry-SOAP-ih-dee). They are green or brown insects with net-like, delicate wings, long antennae, and prominent eyes.
Lacewings
by National Gardening Association Editors
The larvae of a green lacewing busily feeding on aphids. Larvae can grow to 3/8" long.
LACEWING - Think beneficial. About one inch in length will eat mites, aphids, and thrip.
Green Lacewings Chrysoperla carnea
Green Lacewings are an all purpose beneficial insect that feed on insects such as aphids and other insects that will come and feed on your plants.
Green Lacewings and their larvae prey on scale insects, leafhoppers, whiteflies, mealy bugs, caterpillars, and thrips.
Lacewing Larva
Adult Lacewing
The larvae of lacewings (above), called aphid lions, use hooked jaws to pierce and kill aphids. Flower fly larvae (below) look like maggots as they crawl over foliage, feeding on dozens of soft-bodied insects.
LACEWING: A beneficial insect. About one inch in length will eat mites, aphids, and thrip (see our section on insects).
Green lacewings, pirate bugs, and egg wasps are somewhat effective in the control of armyworms and caterpillars.
Green lacewings are commonly found in Colorado and feed on a variety of insect pests. Lacewing eggs can also be purchased and provide control once the eggs hatch and the developing larvae feed.
Green lacewings, an aphid predator, frequent dill plantings, making dill a great companion for roses and other aphid favorites. Black swallowtail butterflies lay eggs on dill.
4. Green Lacewing
Photo: Clemson University - USDA Cooperative Extension Slide Series, Bugwood.org ...
Lacewings are Good for Your Garden
Ladybugs are Good for Your Garden
Toads can Help Control Pests in your Garden
Beneficial Insects: A Boon to Butterflies and Gardeners!
Controlling Lawn Grubs Organically
Luring Ladybugs Into Your Garden ...
Flowering plants such as elderberry and borage attract beneficial insects like hoverflies and lacewings, whose larvae are voracious feeders of sap-sucking aphids, which often plague plants like citrus trees.
Green lacewings, lacewing larvae (often called aphid lions), hover fly larvae, or parasitic wasps are all insects that specifically seek out aphids as prey.
Ground-breaking research over the last decade is revealing how we can attract beneficial insects—the ladybugs, lacewings, ground beetles and other insects that feed on pests.
Natural predators such as ladybugs, parasitic wasps, syphrid fly larvae and green lacewing larvae are biological controls that feed on aphids. They reduce the population and can eliminate the need for treatment when present.
Anthriscus sylvestris - a nectar-rich plant attracting lacewings and hoverflies which eat aphids
Ilex aquifolium - this evergreen shrub produces winter berries which provide food for birds and other wildlife ...
Aphids - Release ladybirds or lacewing larvae into the garden. Attract hoverflies with poached egg plant. Try garlic insect spray as well.
These beneficial insects, such as ladybugs, lacewings, flower flies and tiny wasps, are often attracted to pest populations to feed and/or lay eggs. You can even grow specific plants to attract these good guys for extra protection.
For aphids, use a high population of lady bugs and lacewings. Aphids can also be sprayed with a mixture of water and insecticidal soap. Potato beetles and cabbage worms can be picked off by hand.
Some beneficial insects are ground beetles, lacewings, ladybugs and praying mantis.
Cabbage worms have enemies other than yourself: ground beetles, various wasps, spiders, lacewings and various other insects prey on cabbage worms.
Biological pest control employs beneficial insects such as lady beetles and green lacewings to control pest populations. The naturally occurring soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis var.
The eggs of lacewings are on slender filaments, again on the undersides of leaves. Their yellow or pinkish-brown larvae are shaped like spindles and have curved mandibles with which they impale aphids or other soft-bodied insects.
Including plants of different heights can be very important. Ground beetles require the cover provided by low-growing plants. Lacewings lay their eggs in shady, protected areas, so providing such places near crop plants is a good idea.
Biological Pest Control: Using living organisms such as beneficial insects (ladybugs, lacewing) to destroy insect pests.
Fortunately for farmers and gardeners alike, aphids have many natural predators like ladybugs and lacewings, which can be introduced to a garden to control them.
Lacewings larvae are another great aphid eater, and their larvae look similar to ladybugs, except they are brown in color. Dragonflies which skim about over ponds or near water, should be left alone. They eat mosquitoes and gnats.
Management strategies: Ladybugs, lacewing larvae and other predatory insects eat aphids. Summer showers or a strong blast of water from the garden hose can dislodge and help control them.
 See also: Plant, Wings, Insect, Aphid, Natural
|
