Black-Horned Green Lacewing
ExploreInsects
Black-Horned Green Lacewing
chrysopa nigricornis
The Black-Horned Green Lacewing, Chrysopa nigricornis, is a delicate yet formidable insect revered for its ecological role as a natural pest controller, especially in its larval stage. Often referred to as "aphid lions," the larvae are voracious predators of soft-bodied insects, making them invaluable allies in gardens and agricultural settings. This species undergoes complete metamorphosis, transforming from a crawling, hunting larva into a graceful, winged adult. Adults are typically nocturnal, attracted to lights, and play a role as pollinators, feeding on nectar and pollen. Their presence is a strong indicator of a healthy ecosystem.
Habitat: Found in diverse environments including gardens, agricultural fields, orchards, woodlands, and meadows, often associated with areas abundant in their prey.
Appearance
Adult Black-Horned Green Lacewings are characterized by their vibrant pale green bodies, large, translucent, finely veined wings that are held tent-like over their backs, and striking black antennae, which give them their common name. They have prominent golden, iridescent eyes. They are relatively small insects, typically measuring 1.0 to 1.5 cm in body length with a wingspan ranging from 2.0 to 3.0 cm. The larvae, or "aphid lions," are entirely different, appearing as small, alligator-like creatures with powerful, piercing-sucking mouthparts and often covered in debris or the remains of their prey.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderNeuropteraFamilyChrysopidaeGenusChrysopa
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Female lacewings lay their eggs on stalks, elevating them above the leaf surface. This unique strategy helps protect the eggs from predation by ants or other small insects.
Some adult lacewings are attracted to light at night and may fly into homes, though they are completely harmless and are beneficial insects.
The larval stage of the lacewing is often called an 'aphid lion' due to its fierce predatory nature and ability to consume hundreds of aphids during its development.
Special abilities
Ability
Voracious Aphid Predator
The larval stage, known as an 'aphid lion,' is a highly effective biological control agent. These larvae actively hunt and consume large numbers of aphids, mites, thrips, and other small soft-bodied insects.
Ability
Vibrational Courtship
Adult Black-Horned Green Lacewings engage in complex courtship rituals involving substrate-borne vibrational communication. Males produce species-specific vibrations to attract females, which respond with their own signals.
Ability
Chemical Defense
When disturbed or threatened, adult lacewings can release a pungent, foul-smelling fluid from glands on their prothorax. This serves as a deterrent to potential predators.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 1 cm
- Wingspan
- 2-3 cm
- Weight
- 0.0001-0.0002 kg
- Lifespan
- 0-1 years
- Clutch Size
- 100-300
- Incubation
- 3-6 days
Diet & Feeding
The diet of the Black-Horned Green Lacewing changes dramatically with its life stage. Larvae are strictly insectivorous, primarily preying on aphids and other small, soft-bodied invertebrates. Adult lacewings, however, are typically nectarivores and pollinivores, feeding on honeydew, nectar, and pollen.
Age differences: Yes, larvae are predatory insectivores, while adults are primarily nectarivores/pollinivores.
Primary Foods
- Aphids
- Mites
- Thrips
- Small caterpillars
- Nectar
- Pollen
Foraging Method
- Larvae Hunt By Actively Foraging On Plants For Prey, Often Ambushing Unsuspecting Insects. Adults Forage For Nectar And Pollen.
Ecological connections
hunts
Green Peach Aphid
Myzus persicae
A primary food source for the larval stage, critical for their development.
eaten by
Common House Spider
Parasteatoda tepidariorum
Generalist predators that will consume adult lacewings.
mutualism
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Dandelion
Taraxacum officinale
Adult lacewings feed on the nectar produced by these plants.
parasite
Aphidius wasp
Aphidius colemani
Parasitoid wasps lay eggs inside lacewing larvae, leading to their death.
Traits
No trait badges are assigned for this object yet.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
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Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Black-Horned Green Lacewing?
The easiest way to identify Black-Horned Green Lacewing is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How long is Black-Horned Green Lacewing?
1 cm
What is Black-Horned Green Lacewing's wingspan?
2-3 cm
How much does Black-Horned Green Lacewing weigh?
0.0001-0.0002 kg
How long does Black-Horned Green Lacewing live?
0-1 years
What does Black-Horned Green Lacewing eat?
The diet of the Black-Horned Green Lacewing changes dramatically with its life stage. Larvae are strictly insectivorous, primarily preying on aphids and other small, soft-bodied invertebrates. Adult lacewings, however, are typically nectarivores and pollinivores, feeding on honeydew, nectar, and pollen.
Where is Black-Horned Green Lacewing usually found?
Found in diverse environments including gardens, agricultural fields, orchards, woodlands, and meadows, often associated with areas abundant in their prey.
How does Black-Horned Green Lacewing hunt?
Larvae Hunt By Actively Foraging On Plants For Prey, Often Ambushing Unsuspecting Insects. Adults Forage For Nectar And Pollen.
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