# Common Green Lacewings (*Chrysoperla*) Common Green Lacewings are small, delicate insects with beautiful green wings. They are often seen fluttering around gardens and fields, where they help keep pests away. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Gardens ![Common Green Lacewings](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Chrysoperla_mediterranea_0125.JPG&width=800) Photo: tato grasso, CC BY 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chrysoperla_mediterranea_0125.JPG) ## Appearance The Common Green Lacewing has a delicate, bright green body with striking golden or coppery eyes. Its large, clear wings are intricately veined, giving them a lacy appearance that makes them stand out from other garden insects. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Neuroptera - **Family:** Chrysopidae - **Genus:** Chrysoperla ## Interesting facts - Adult lacewings are attracted to lights at night, often flying into homes! - Baby lacewings are called 'aphid lions' because they eat so many garden pests! - Some lacewing larvae wear camouflage coats made of their victims' bodies! - They lay their eggs on tiny silk stalks, protecting them from hungry ants! ## Special abilities - **Costume Collector:** Common Green Lacewing larvae can cover themselves in debris like aphid corpses to hide from predators. - **Aphid Annihilator:** Common Green Lacewing larvae have powerful pincer-like jaws that help them grab and eat garden pests. - **Sweet Nectar Sipper:** Adult lacewings feed on nectar and honeydew because it provides energy for flying and laying eggs. - **Vibration Whisperer:** Common Green Lacewings can detect tiny vibrations in plants that help them locate prey or potential mates. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 20-30 mm - **Size:** 10-20 mm - **Lifespan:** 20-40 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adult lacewings sip nectar, but their hungry babies are fierce aphid hunters! - **Age differences:** Larvae are predatory insectivores, while adults primarily feed on nectar and pollen. - **Primary Foods:** Nectar, Pollen, Honeydew, Aphids, Mealybugs, Mites - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Cotton Aphid (*Aphis gossypii*) — Larvae are voracious predators. - **Eats:** [Asian Lady Beetle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/asian-lady-beetle) (*Harmonia axyridis*) — Predates on eggs and larvae. - **Shelter:** [English Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/english-oak) (*Quercus robur*) — Adults rest and forage on leaves. - **Eaten by:** [Black Garden Ant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-garden-ant) (*Formica fusca*) — Ants can prey on lacewing eggs. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [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) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Lacewings are safe to observe, but don't touch them as they are delicate. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Common 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 Common Green Lacewings's wingspan? 20-30 mm ### How big is Common Green Lacewings? 10-20 mm ### How long does Common Green Lacewings live? 20-40 days ### What does Common Green Lacewings eat? Adult lacewings sip nectar, but their hungry babies are fierce aphid hunters! ### Where is Common Green Lacewings usually found? Gardens ### How does Common Green Lacewings hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Common Green Lacewings have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Meadows Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/meadows-park) — California, US · Park ## 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: [Common Green Lacewings: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-green-lacewings)