# carnea-group Green Lacewings (*Chrysoperla carnea*)

Green lacewings are tiny, delicate insects with beautiful green wings. They love to fly around gardens and help keep plants healthy by eating pests like aphids.

- **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Urban areas, Gardens, Forests
- **Also known as:** Aphid Lion

![carnea-group Green Lacewings](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/%28MHNT%29_Chrysoperla_carnea_-_dorsal_view.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%28MHNT%29_Chrysoperla_carnea_-_dorsal_view.jpg)

## Appearance

The carnea-group Green Lacewings has a delicate, bright emerald-green body with long, slender antennae and large, golden eyes. Its most striking feature is its pair of prominent, translucent, highly veined wings, giving it a fragile, lacy appearance.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Arthropoda
- **Class:** Insecta
- **Order:** Neuroptera
- **Family:** Chrysopidae
- **Genus:** Chrysoperla

## Interesting facts

- A single lacewing larva can eat hundreds of plant-destroying aphids in its life!
- Adult lacewings can survive freezing winter by changing from green to brown!
- Mother lacewings lift their eggs on tiny 'fishing lines' to keep them safe!
- Some lacewing babies cover themselves in trash as camouflage!

## Special abilities

- **Aphid Assassin:** carnea-group Green Lacewings larvae can rapidly consume many aphids, helping them control garden pests.
- **Pollen Power-up:** carnea-group Green Lacewings adults can feed on pollen and nectar, which helps them live longer and lay more eggs.
- **Winter Snooze:** carnea-group Green Lacewings can change color and hibernate, allowing them to survive cold winter months.
- **Stalked Eggs:** carnea-group Green Lacewings lay their eggs on thin stalks, which helps protect them from predators like ants.

## Measurements & details

- **Wingspan:** 15-30 mm
- **Size:** 10-15 mm
- **Lifespan:** 30-45 days
- **Leg Count:** 6

## Diet & Feeding

Larvae are fierce hunters of tiny pests, while adults prefer sweet plant juices.

- **Age differences:** Larvae are active predators, but adults primarily feed on nectar, pollen, and honeydew.
- **Primary Foods:** aphids, scale insects, mealybugs, mites, nectar, pollen
- **Foraging Method:** Pursuit

## Ecological connections

- **Hunts:** cotton aphid (*Aphis gossypii*) — Larvae consume these common garden pests.
- **Hunts:** rose aphid (*Macrosiphum rosae*) — A favorite meal for hungry lacewing larvae.
- **Eaten by:** Harlequin ladybird (*Harmonia axyridis*) — Ladybird larvae sometimes eat lacewing eggs.
- **Eaten by:** European fire ant (*Myrmica rubra*) — Ants can prey on lacewing eggs and larvae.

## Collections

- [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Green lacewings are safe and gentle, so you can watch them without worry!

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify carnea-group Green Lacewings?

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 carnea-group Green Lacewings's wingspan?

15-30 mm

### How big is carnea-group Green Lacewings?

10-15 mm

### How long does carnea-group Green Lacewings live?

30-45 days

### What does carnea-group Green Lacewings eat?

Larvae are fierce hunters of tiny pests, while adults prefer sweet plant juices.

### Where is carnea-group Green Lacewings usually found?

Urban areas, Gardens, Forests

### How does carnea-group Green Lacewings hunt?

Pursuit

### How many legs does carnea-group Green Lacewings have?

6

## 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*)

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Source: [carnea-group Green Lacewings Facts — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/carnea-group-green-lacewings)