Green Lacewing
Chrysopidae family
The Green Lacewing, belonging to the family Chrysopidae, is a common and highly valued beneficial insect in Australian gardens and agricultural systems. Far from being a pest, it is a formidable predator of many nuisance insects. The delicate, slender adult with its large, transparent, lace-like wings is often seen fluttering near lights at night. However, the true powerhouse of pest control is its larval stage, famously known as the 'aphid lion'. This voracious, alligator-like larva has an insatiable appetite for soft-bodied pests like aphids, mites, thrips, and small caterpillars. Understanding and encouraging the presence of Green Lacewings is a cornerstone of integrated pest management (IPM). Instead of controlling them, the goal is to create a welcoming environment to maximize their natural pest suppression services, reducing the need for chemical insecticides and promoting a healthier garden ecosystem.
For effective control and prevention, professional pest management is recommended.
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Green Lacewing At-A-Glance
Key facts and characteristics
Complete Green Lacewing Guide
Professional identification and control information
Identification
How to accurately identify Green Lacewing
Expert Tips
Professional pest controllers recommend examining Green Lacewing under good lighting conditions, focusing on Adults are distinguished by their delicate green body, long antennae, and large, lacy wings held tent-wise over the body. The larvae are unmistakable due to their alligator-like shape and large, sickle-shaped jaws. The eggs are also unique, laid individually at the end of long, thin silk stalks.. Specimens are best observed during their peak activity periods and in their preferred microhabitats. Digital photography with macro capabilities can aid in confirming identification markers for consultation with entomological specialists.
Similar Species
- Brown Lacewings (family Hemerobiidae): Similar in shape and also beneficial predators, but they are typically brown, smaller, and have hairy wings, unlike the clear wings of Green Lacewings.
- Antlions (family Myrmeleontidae): Adult antlions can look similar to lacewings but are generally much larger and have thicker, clubbed antennae. The larvae are very different, living in conical pits in the sand.
- Mantidflies (family Mantispidae): These look like a bizarre cross between a praying mantis and a lacewing, with raptorial front legs for grasping prey. They are much less common.
Confusion Species
Green Lacewing is most commonly confused with similar pest species in the same ecological niche. Key distinguishing features include the specific pattern of Adults are typically a vibrant pale green, which provides excellent camouflage among foliage. Some species may be yellowish or brownish. Their most striking feature is their large, compound eyes, which often have a beautiful, metallic golden or coppery sheen. The larvae are mottled grey, brown, or yellowish, with distinct markings. They have a warty, alligator-like appearance. and Adults are distinguished by their delicate green body, long antennae, and large, lacy wings held tent-wise over the body. The larvae are unmistakable due to their alligator-like shape and large, sickle-shaped jaws. The eggs are also unique, laid individually at the end of long, thin silk stalks.. Professional identification often requires examination under magnification to confirm diagnostic features. When in doubt, collect specimens for expert identification, as accurate species identification is crucial for effective pest management strategies in Australian conditions.
Identification Tips
If you see a delicate, green insect with clear, lacy wings near a light at night, it's a Green Lacewing. If you are inspecting a plant with aphids and see a fearsome-looking, alligator-like grub actively attacking them, that is the lacewing larva or 'aphid lion'. Finding the unique stalked eggs is also definitive.
Identification Tools
A magnifying glass can help to appreciate the intricate beauty of the wings and the formidable jaws of the larva.
Photographic Evidence
A clear photo of the adult's wings or the larva's body shape is sufficient for identification.
Key Identifying Features
- Adult: Slender, pale green body with large, clear, intricately veined wings held like a tent over the body.
- Adult: Large, metallic golden or copper-coloured eyes.
- Larva: Grey or brown, flattened, alligator-shaped body with prominent sickle-like jaws.
- Eggs: Small, pale green ovals laid on the end of delicate silk stalks.
- Behaviour: Slow, fluttering flight of adults at night, often near lights.
Common Misidentifications
Sometimes mistaken for small moths or other flying insects at night, but their wing shape and venation are distinctive upon closer inspection.
Key Identification Features
The Green Lacewing (Chrysopidae family) can be reliably identified through several diagnostic characteristics. Size: Green Lacewing measures Adult Green Lacewings are slender and typically range from 10mm to 20mm in body length. Their wingspan is considerably larger, often between 25mm and 30mm. The larvae ('aphid lions') are smaller, starting at about 1mm upon hatching and growing up to 8-12mm long before pupating.. Coloration: Adults are typically a vibrant pale green, which provides excellent camouflage among foliage. Some species may be yellowish or brownish. Their most st. Key features: Adults are distinguished by their delicate green body, long antennae, and large, lacy wings held tent-wise over the body. The larvae are unmistakable due to their alligator-like shape and large, sickl. Structure: Adults have a soft, elongated body. The larvae are completely different, with a robust, flattened, and tapered body shape. The most fearsome feature o. These identification markers are consistent across Australian populations and are critical for accurate field identification by pest control professionals and property owners.
Professional Identification
Not necessary for general purposes. The family is easily recognizable.
Biology & Lifecycle
Understanding Green Lacewing biology and development
Anatomy
Green Lacewing (Chrysopidae family) exhibits typical flies anatomy with specialized adaptations. Adults have a soft, elongated body. The larvae are completely different, with a robust, flattened, and tapered body shape. The most fearsome feature of the larva is its head, which is equipped with a pair of large, sickle-shaped, piercing-sucking mandibles (jaws) that project forward. These are used to seize and drain the body fluids of their prey.. Males and females are very similar in appearance and are difficult to tell apart without close examination.. These anatomical features are optimized for their ecological role and contribute to their success in Australian environments.
Lifecycle Details
Egg Stage
The lifecycle begins with a uniquely placed egg. The female Green Lacewing lays her small, oval, pale green eggs individually on the tips of long, slender silk stalks. She attaches the base of the stalk to a leaf or stem, usually near a colony of aphids or other prey. This elevates the egg, protecting it from predation by ants and even from its own cannibalistic siblings that might hatch first. Each female can lay several hundred eggs over her lifetime. The eggs typically hatch in 3 to 5 days in warm weather.
Adult Stage
The adult lacewing emerges from the cocoon by cutting a small, circular lid. The delicate adult's primary roles are dispersal and reproduction. While some adult Green Lacewings are also predatory, many species primarily feed on nectar, pollen, and honeydew, which provides the energy needed for flight and egg production. The adult lifespan can range from 4 to 6 weeks.
Pupal Stage
Once the larva is fully grown, it seeks a sheltered location, such as the underside of a leaf or in a bark crevice, to pupate. It spins a perfectly spherical, dense, white or yellowish silken cocoon. Inside this protective case, the larva transforms into a pupa, where the complete metamorphosis into the adult form takes place. This pupal stage typically lasts for 1 to 2 weeks, depending on the temperature.
Larval Stage
This is the predatory stage. Upon hatching, the tiny larva, known as an 'aphid lion,' immediately begins its hunt for food. The larva is a voracious, active predator with a flattened, tapered body and prominent, sickle-shaped jaws. It grasps its prey, pierces it with its hollow jaws, injects paralyzing, digestive saliva, and then sucks out the body fluids. The larval stage consists of three instars (growth stages separated by moults). This stage is the most beneficial from a pest control perspective and lasts for 2 to 3 weeks, during which a single aphid lion can consume hundreds of pests.
Seasonal Cycle
Populations build up from spring, peak during the summer when pest insects like aphids are most abundant, and decline in autumn. They survive winter in the resilient pupal stage.
Development Time
The entire lifecycle from egg to adult can be completed in as little as 4 to 6 weeks under optimal warm conditions.
Reproduction Rate
High. A single female can lay from 100 to over 300 eggs during her lifetime.
Generations Per Year
In the temperate regions of Australia, there can be 2 to 4 generations per year. In warmer, subtropical areas, there may be more, with continuous generations as long as conditions are favourable.
Maximum Temperature
They are tolerant of hot summer conditions, although extreme heat may reduce activity.
Minimum Temperature
Development ceases in cold weather. Lacewings typically overwinter in the pupal stage, protected within their silken cocoon.
Optimal Temperature
Development and activity are greatest in warm weather, with temperatures between 20°C and 30°C being ideal.
Environmental Factors
The presence of both pest insects (for the larvae) and flowering plants (for the adults) is crucial for sustaining a healthy population. The absence of broad-spectrum pesticide spray is also a critical factor for their survival.
Habitat & Distribution
Where Green Lacewing lives and thrives
Preferred Habitats
- Suburban gardens with a mix of flowers, shrubs, and trees.
- Agricultural fields, orchards, and vineyards.
- Anywhere that supports populations of their prey, particularly aphids.
- They are very common in both natural and human-modified environments.
- Native bushland and forests.
Nesting Behavior
They do not build nests. The eggs are laid on plants, and the larvae and adults are free-living.
Nesting Requirements
Not applicable.
Temperature Preference
They prefer warm and mild conditions.
Humidity Preference
Moderate humidity is generally favourable.
Hiding Spots
- Adults rest on the undersides of leaves during the day.
- Larvae can be found amongst aphid colonies or hiding in plant crevices.
- The pupal cocoon is often spun in a sheltered spot on a plant.
Distribution Patterns
States
Found in all states and territories of Australia, from the wet tropics of Queensland to the temperate gardens of Tasmania.
Native Range
The Chrysopidae family has a worldwide distribution, and Australia has many native species of Green Lacewing.
Climate Zones
- Tropical
- Subtropical
- Temperate
- Arid
- Mediterranean
Urban Vs Rural
Extremely common in both urban gardens and rural agricultural landscapes. They are highly adaptable to human-modified environments, provided there is vegetation and a food source.
Current Spread
Widespread and common throughout their range.
Introduced Range
Some species of lacewings are commercially reared and have been introduced to various parts of the world for biological pest control, but Australia has a rich native fauna.
Limiting Factors
The primary limiting factor in urban and agricultural settings is the use of broad-spectrum insecticides, which kills them and their prey. A lack of flowering plants to support the adults can also limit their population.
Spread Mechanism
Natural dispersal through adult flight.
Introduction History
Not applicable for the native Australian fauna.
Establishment Factors
Establishment is dependent on the availability of prey for the larvae and nectar/pollen sources for the adults. They establish readily in most garden environments.
Behavior & Diet
Green Lacewing behavioral patterns and feeding habits
Activity Pattern
Adult lacewings are primarily nocturnal or crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk). They are often attracted to porch lights and window lights at night. The larvae, on the other hand, are active hunters both day and night, constantly searching for prey.
Social Behavior
Lacewings are solitary insects. They do not live in groups or colonies. The larvae are highly cannibalistic and will readily eat each other if prey is scarce.
Territorial Behavior
They are not territorial and do not defend a specific area.
Foraging Behavior
The foraging behaviour differs between stages. The larvae are active, searching predators, moving across leaves and stems to find their prey. Adults of many species forage for nectar and pollen among flowers, while some predatory adults will also hunt for small insects.
Dispersal Behavior
Adults disperse by flying. Their flight is relatively weak and fluttering, but it allows them to find new areas with food sources (both nectar for them and pests for their offspring).
Dietary Preferences
Primary Diet
Green Lacewing exhibits opportunistic feeding behavior with diverse food sources. The foraging behaviour differs between stages. The larvae are active, searching predators, moving across leaves and stems to find their prey. Adults of many species forage for nectar and pollen among flowers, while some predatory adults will also hunt for small insects.. Primary food sources include Larvae ('Aphid Lions'): Aphids are a primary food source, but they also eat mites, thrips, whiteflies, insect eggs, small caterpillars, and other soft-bodied pests., Adults: Primarily nectar, pollen, and honeydew (the sugary excretion of aphids). This diet provides them with the carbohydrates needed for energy., Some adult species are also predatory, feeding on small insects.. This dietary flexibility contributes to their success as a pest species in diverse Australian habitats.
Feeding Patterns
Feeding patterns of Green Lacewing are influenced by temperature, humidity, and resource availability typical of Australian conditions. Adult lacewings are primarily nocturnal or crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk). They are often attracted to porch lights and window lights at night. The larvae, on the other hand, are active hunters both day and night, constantly searching for prey., with feeding frequency increasing during reproductive periods when nutritional demands are highest.
Health Risks
Health concerns associated with Green Lacewing
Always consult healthcare professionals for medical concerns related to pest exposure.
Severity
Low. The Green Lacewing poses no health risk to humans.
Symptoms
- The larva ('aphid lion') has sharp jaws and can be capable of delivering a small, harmless pinch or 'nip' to human skin if handled, but this is insignificant and does not break the skin or inject venom.
Allergens
Not considered an allergenic insect.
Contamination Risk
None.
Disease Transmission
- None. They do not transmit any diseases to humans, animals, or plants.
Transmission Methods
- Not applicable.
Vulnerable Populations
- None.
Economic Impact
Financial costs and economic effects of Green Lacewing
Indirect Costs
Cleanup Costs
None.
Healthcare Costs
None.
Replacement Costs
None.
Preventive Maintenance
Costs may be incurred in planting specific flowers or cover crops to encourage their populations, but this is a beneficial investment.
Business Impact
Retail Impact
None.
Reputation Damage
None.
Restaurant Issues
None.
Operational Disruption
None.
Property Damage
Garden Damage
None. They cause no damage to plants; they only protect them.
Equipment Damage
None.
Structural Damage
None.
Food Contamination
None.
Treatment Costs
Diy Treatment
Lacewing eggs and larvae are commercially sold as biological control agents. Costs can range from $30-$100 to purchase and release them in a garden or greenhouse.
Prevention Costs
Not applicable.
Professional Treatment
Not applicable. Control is never warranted.
Agricultural Impact
Yield Loss
None.
Crop Damage
None.
Economic Loss
There is no economic loss. They provide a massive, free economic benefit to agriculture and horticulture.
Beneficial Aspects
The economic impact is overwhelmingly positive. Lacewing larvae are voracious predators of major agricultural pests like aphids, mites, and thrips. Their presence can significantly reduce pest numbers, leading to increased crop yields, higher quality produce, and a reduced need for costly chemical pesticides. They are a cornerstone of biological control programs in orchards, vineyards, and field crops.
Detection & Signs
Early warning signs of Green Lacewing presence
Visual Signs
- As a beneficial insect, one looks for 'signs of presence', not infestation.
- Seeing the delicate green adults flying at dusk or near lights.
- Finding the unique, stalked eggs on the undersides of leaves.
- Spotting the active, alligator-like larvae ('aphid lions') moving amongst aphid colonies.
- Observing a decline in pest populations, such as aphids, is a positive sign of their activity.
Behavioral Signs
- Observing the larvae actively hunting and attacking pests on your plants.
Physical Evidence
- The empty, sucked-out husks of aphids and other pests are a sign of larval feeding.
- Finding the small, spherical, white silk cocoons in sheltered spots on plants.
- The presence of the stalked eggs is the clearest physical evidence.
Seasonal Indicators
- Their presence becomes more noticeable in spring and peaks in summer, coinciding with the peak of many pest populations.
- Adults are common on warm spring and summer evenings.
Early Warning Signals
- Not applicable. Their early presence is a good thing for the garden.
Prevention
Proactive strategies to prevent Green Lacewing infestations
Landscaping Tips
- Plant a diverse range of flowering plants, particularly those with small, open flowers like dill, coriander, cosmos, and alyssum. The adults feed on the nectar and pollen.
- Provide a source of water, such as a shallow birdbath with stones in it, for them to drink from.
- Avoid using broad-spectrum chemical pesticides. These will kill beneficial insects like lacewings just as effectively as they kill pests.
- Leave some areas of the garden a bit 'wild' to provide shelter for pupating lacewings.
Exclusion Methods
- No exclusion is needed. You want to attract them to your garden.
Sanitation Measures
- Control is not desired. To encourage them, avoid excessive 'sanitation' like removing all leaf litter, as this can destroy overwintering pupae.
Monitoring Strategies
- Monitor your plants for the presence of the stalked eggs or the 'aphid lion' larvae. Their presence indicates that natural pest control is at work.
- Use a magnifying glass to get a closer look at pest colonies to see if lacewing larvae are present.
Environmental Modification
- The most important environmental modification is to stop using harmful chemical sprays. Create a garden that is a safe haven for beneficial insects by promoting biodiversity.
Control Methods
Effective treatment options for Green Lacewing control
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Professional Services
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Seasonal Patterns
Green Lacewing seasonal activity and management timing
Autumn
Autumn (March-May) sees Green Lacewing populations beginning to decline as temperatures cool across Australia. This period offers opportunities for targeted control measures as they seek shelter and overwintering sites. Exclusion and habitat modification strategies implemented during autumn can significantly reduce following year's populations.
Autumn Activity
Activity begins to wane as temperatures cool. The last generation of larvae will pupate in sheltered locations to prepare for winter.
Breeding Season
Throughout the warm months of spring and summer.
Spring Activity
Adults emerge from overwintering pupae. They mate and begin laying eggs. The first generation of larvae begins to control early pest outbreaks.
Summer Activity
This is the peak of activity for all life stages. Multiple, overlapping generations can occur. Larvae are actively hunting the large pest populations that thrive in summer.
Winter Activity
The lacewing survives the winter almost exclusively in the pupal stage, hidden in a silken cocoon in a sheltered spot like a bark crevice or in leaf litter.
Peak Infestation
Not applicable. Their peak population in summer is highly beneficial.
Treatment Timing
Not applicable. If you are releasing them for pest control, the best time is in late spring or early summer when pest numbers begin to rise.
Migration Patterns
They do not undertake long-distance migrations.
Environmental Factors
Humidity Effects
Moderate humidity is generally favourable.
Weather Patterns
A warm, stable spring will lead to a rapid buildup of their population.
Photoperiod Effects
Day length can influence the onset of overwintering (diapause) in the pupal stage.
Temperature Effects
Warm temperatures are essential for their development and activity.
Legal Considerations
Legal requirements for Green Lacewing control in Australia
Pest Status
Not a pest. The Green Lacewing is universally recognized as a beneficial insect.
Control Regulations
There are no regulations for its control. Regulations do exist for the commercial rearing and sale of lacewings as biological control agents to ensure quality and prevent the spread of non-native species.
Professional Requirements
No license is required to encourage or release lacewings.
Environmental Considerations
The primary consideration is the conservation of this and other beneficial insects by reducing or eliminating the use of broad-spectrum pesticides in gardens and farms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Green Lacewing
What is an 'aphid lion'?
An 'aphid lion' is the common name given to the larval stage of the lacewing. It earned this fearsome nickname because of its incredible appetite for aphids, which are one of its primary food sources. The larva looks nothing like the delicate adult; it has a flattened, segmented body that resembles a tiny alligator, and it is armed with a pair of large, curved, pincer-like jaws. It is a highly mobile and aggressive predator, constantly roaming over plants in search of prey. A single aphid lion can consume several hundred aphids or other soft-bodied pests during its two-to-three-week development, making it one of the most effective and valuable predatory insects in a garden or farm setting.
Are Green Lacewings harmful to humans or plants?
No, Green Lacewings are completely harmless to humans, pets, and plants. In fact, they are incredibly beneficial. The adult lacewings primarily feed on nectar and pollen, and in the process, they can contribute to pollination. They do not bite or sting humans. The larvae, while being ferocious predators of other insects, have no interest in plants and do not cause any damage to foliage. The only remote possibility of a negative interaction is that a large aphid lion larva, if handled roughly, could give a person a small, surprising 'nip' with its jaws, but this is insignificant and does not break the skin or inject venom. They are a welcome sight in any garden.
How can I attract Green Lacewings to my garden?
Attracting and keeping a healthy population of Green Lacewings is a key strategy for natural pest control. The most important step is to stop using broad-spectrum chemical pesticides, as these will kill lacewings as well as pests. To attract the adults, you need to provide them with their food source: nectar and pollen. Plant a variety of flowers, especially those with small, shallow blossoms that are easy for them to access. Good choices include dill, fennel, coriander, cosmos, sweet alyssum, and sunflowers. Providing a shallow dish of water with some pebbles in it can also give them a place to drink. By creating this welcoming habitat, you encourage adult lacewings to stay, mate, and lay their eggs, unleashing their pest-eating larvae into your garden.
What are the strange-looking eggs on stalks I see on my leaves?
If you have found tiny, pale green or white oval eggs, each one sitting atop its own long, hair-like silk stalk, you have found Green Lacewing eggs. This unique egg-laying strategy is a hallmark of the Chrysopidae family. The female creates this structure to protect her eggs from predators, especially ants that patrol plant stems, and also from her own offspring. Lacewing larvae are so voracious and cannibalistic that the first one to hatch would likely turn around and eat the other nearby eggs if they were all laid together on the leaf surface. By placing each egg on its own pedestal, she gives each hatching larva a chance to disperse before encountering its siblings. Finding these eggs is a fantastic sign that you have a healthy lacewing population.
Can I buy lacewings for my garden?
Yes, Green Lacewings are so effective at controlling pests that they are one of the most popular commercially available biological control agents. You can purchase lacewing eggs or, more commonly, live larvae from many online insectaries and some specialized garden suppliers. They are typically shipped in a container with a carrier material like rice hulls. To release them, you simply sprinkle the contents gently onto the foliage of plants that have a pest problem, such as an aphid infestation on roses. The larvae will quickly disperse and begin hunting. This is an excellent, targeted, and environmentally friendly way to deal with a pest outbreak without resorting to chemical sprays, especially in sensitive areas like vegetable gardens or greenhouses.
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Image Gallery
Visual identification guide for Green Lacewing
Images of Green Lacewing showing key identifying features: