# Brown Lacewing (*Sympherobius barberi*) Brown Lacewings are similar to their green cousins but are a lovely brown color. They are gentle and help keep gardens healthy. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Gardens and meadows - **Also known as:** Common Lacewing ![Brown Lacewing](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426690/objects/5566.jpg) ## Appearance The Brown Lacewing is a small, delicate insect with a slender, light to dark brown body. Its fragile, net-veined wings are also brown, often mottled, and held roof-like over its back, giving it a somewhat triangular shape when at rest. It has long, slender antennae. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Neuroptera - **Family:** Hemerobiidae - **Genus:** Sympherobius ## Interesting facts - Adult Brown Lacewings often drink sweet honeydew left by aphids, not just eating the aphids themselves. - Some lacewing larvae are nicknamed 'aphid wolves' because they are such fierce hunters! - Their eggs are tiny ovals, sometimes laid individually on short stalks or directly on plant leaves. - Though delicate, some species can survive chilly winters by finding sheltered spots to hide until spring. ## Special abilities - **Pest Predator Power:** Brown Lacewing larvae can devour hundreds of soft-bodied pests because of their strong jaws that help them control insect populations. - **Stealthy Slinker:** Brown Lacewings have mottled brown wings and bodies that help them blend perfectly with tree bark or dry leaves, making them hard to spot. - **Super Sensors:** Brown Lacewings have long, sensitive antennae that help them detect prey and navigate in their environment. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 6-10 mm - **Size:** 3-5 mm - **Lifespan:** 20-40 days - **Flight Speed:** 1 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Brown Lacewing larvae are expert hunters of tiny garden pests, while adults may also enjoy sugary plant sap. - **Age differences:** Larvae are strictly predatory, consuming many soft-bodied insects. Adults are also predatory but may feed on honeydew and pollen. - **Primary Foods:** aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, honeydew, pollen - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** cotton aphid (*Aphis gossypii*) — Larvae eat these soft-bodied pests. - **Hunts:** potato aphid (*Macrosiphum euphorbiae*) — A common food source for larvae. - **Eaten by:** [Great Tit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-tit) (*Parus major*) — Birds often prey on adult lacewings. - **Eaten by:** flower crab spider (*Misumena vatia*) — Spiders can ambush unwary lacewings. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects-and-bugs) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Brown Lacewing? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Brown Lacewing's wingspan? 6-10 mm ### How big is Brown Lacewing? 3-5 mm ### How long does Brown Lacewing live? 20-40 days ### How fast can Brown Lacewing fly? 1 km/h ### What does Brown Lacewing eat? Brown Lacewing larvae are expert hunters of tiny garden pests, while adults may also enjoy sugary plant sap. ### Where is Brown Lacewing usually found? Gardens and meadows ### How does Brown Lacewing hunt? Foraging ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Brown Lacewing: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-lacewing)