Lacewing Design Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

• What are green lacewings?

  Green Lacewings are insect predators that measure ½ to ¾ of an inch (1-2 cm.) long and bear very distinctive, delicate-looking wings that give them their names. These green insects have long antennae and gold or copper eyes. Many different species of green Lacewings exist, but they closely resemble one another.

• How do lacewing larvae camouflage themselves?

  Green Lacewing larvae camouflage themselves by placing corpses of their victims onto their backs. The pupal cocoon is also camouflaged with corpses. Eggs are laid on the underside of leaves. Brown Lacewing eggs are cream-coloured. They are attached singly and do not have stalks.

• What is the life cycle of a Lacewing?

  Life cycle and ecology Both adults and larvae of brown Lacewings are predaceous, but only the larvae of green Lacewings are predators (the adults feed on nectar and pollen). Lacewings are most active in warm climates. Cooler temperatures may trigger diapause (hibernation).

• Can lacewings be used to control insects?

  Using Lacewings for insect control is a common practice in home gardens and greenhouses. They often appear on their own after the spring breeding season, when green Lacewings scatter far and wide to lay their eggs.

• How do you attract lacewings to your garden?

  Lacewings can be encouraged to breed in your garden by providing a wide range of nectar-rich plants. They also need safe havens to hibernate overwinter, such as log piles and dense hedges. Tolerate small aphid outbreaks in spring to help support a thriving summer population of Lacewings.

• What do lacewing larvae eat?

  Lacewing larvae are voracious predators of small pests such as aphids, whitefly, caterpillars and leaf-beetle larvae. They will colonise almost any plant where they have a plentiful food supply, and can effectively keep troublesome plant pests under control. Adult Lacewings feed on small invertebrates, but also feed on nectar.

• What does a Lacewing plant look like?

  Lacewings are usually green or brown in colour, and can be easily recognized by their long, transparent, lace-like wings. Lacewing adults are usually nocturnal, and will lay eggs at night in groups attached to the underside of leaves by long stalks around 1cm in length.

• How do you get rid of lacewings in a hedge?

  They also need safe havens to hibernate overwinter, such as log piles and dense hedges. Tolerate small aphid outbreaks in spring to help support a thriving summer population of Lacewings. Do not use insecticidal soaps or other natural pesticides on plants where Lacewing eggs are present.