Chrysoperla carnea
Chrysoperla carnea, The Common Green Lacewing,
Body length: 14mm to 20mm
There are many species of Green Lacewings that live in the United Kingdom and some of these Green Lacewing species are very difficult to distinguish from one species to another. There are also some brownish coloured species, but more commonly are the various shades of green Lacewings.
Habitat: Meadows, Heathland, Moorland, Wetlands, Woodlands, Towns and Gardens.
Adult Lacewings feed on nectar and pollen, the larvae are ferocious feeders that eat a variety of insects, mostly they prey on “problem insects” to the gardener. Because of this, Lacewings are very useful as part of a biological control program. The larvae are known as “Aphid Lion” or “Aphid Wolf” But it is not only aphids they eat but also a large variety of other soft bodied insects like Mealybugs, Thrips, Mites, Whitefly, Caterpillars, Psyllids, Leafhoppers and insect eggs.
The female Lacewing will usually lay between 100 to 200 eggs at night, on a thin thread of hardened mucus attached to the underside of a plant leaf suspended in the air near a food source; for when her larvae hatch.
The larvae have an alligator-like flattened appearance and are 13mm in length. They will sometimes use the dried-out skins of previous prey (usually aphids) by sticking the skins on their backs, which are used as camouflage as they continue hunting.
The Adult wings are iridescently coloured and when they catch the light, the fragile crossed veins within the wings give a lace-like appearance. Adults will hibernate in sheltered places over winter, often in buildings.
Read MoreBody length: 14mm to 20mm
There are many species of Green Lacewings that live in the United Kingdom and some of these Green Lacewing species are very difficult to distinguish from one species to another. There are also some brownish coloured species, but more commonly are the various shades of green Lacewings.
Habitat: Meadows, Heathland, Moorland, Wetlands, Woodlands, Towns and Gardens.
Adult Lacewings feed on nectar and pollen, the larvae are ferocious feeders that eat a variety of insects, mostly they prey on “problem insects” to the gardener. Because of this, Lacewings are very useful as part of a biological control program. The larvae are known as “Aphid Lion” or “Aphid Wolf” But it is not only aphids they eat but also a large variety of other soft bodied insects like Mealybugs, Thrips, Mites, Whitefly, Caterpillars, Psyllids, Leafhoppers and insect eggs.
The female Lacewing will usually lay between 100 to 200 eggs at night, on a thin thread of hardened mucus attached to the underside of a plant leaf suspended in the air near a food source; for when her larvae hatch.
The larvae have an alligator-like flattened appearance and are 13mm in length. They will sometimes use the dried-out skins of previous prey (usually aphids) by sticking the skins on their backs, which are used as camouflage as they continue hunting.
The Adult wings are iridescently coloured and when they catch the light, the fragile crossed veins within the wings give a lace-like appearance. Adults will hibernate in sheltered places over winter, often in buildings.
