Green Lacewings: Delicate Adults, Voracious Larvae for Pest Control

Green lacewings (family Chrysopidae) are among the most versatile beneficial insects. Adults (½–¾ inch) have gossamer wings, golden eyes, and long antennae; they feed on nectar, pollen, and honeydew. Their alligator-like larvae—aptly called “aphid lions”—are insatiable predators, each consuming 200+ prey per week: aphids, mealybugs, thrips, mites, whiteflies, caterpillars, leafhoppers, and insect eggs.

Attracting and Keeping Lacewings

They often appear naturally after spring. Look for distinctive stalked eggs on leaf undersides. To encourage residency:

• Eliminate broad-spectrum insecticides; use targeted products (Bt for caterpillars) only when necessary.
• Plant diverse flowering plants (dill, fennel, cilantro, cosmos, sweet alyssum, yarrow) for adult nutrition.
• Accept low pest levels—total eradication starves predators.
• Provide overwintering habitat: leaf litter, straw mulch, perennial stems.

Commercial Use

Lacewing eggs and larvae are widely sold for greenhouse and garden release. Release at dusk near infestations; provide a sugar-water spray as supplemental food. Multiple releases may be needed for heavy pressure.

Green lacewings are a cornerstone of biological control—beautiful as adults, fierce as larvae, and entirely compatible with organic gardening.