Green Lacewings

Chrysopidae

Green lacewings are tiny insects with beautiful green wings. They are friendly and help gardens by eating pests like aphids, making them great helpers for plants!

Habitat: Gardens

Appearance

The Green Lacewings has a delicate, slender body, typically pale green in color, with large, prominent golden eyes. Its most striking feature is its two pairs of transparent, veined wings that resemble fine lace, held tent-like over its back.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderNeuropteraFamilyChrysopidae

Green Lacewings

Interesting facts

Adults have big, golden eyes that help them see very well, especially at night!

Many adult lacewings help flowers by drinking nectar and carrying pollen around!

Some lacewings can "sing" to each other by vibrating their bodies to find a mate!

Their delicate, see-through wings are full of tiny veins, looking just like real lace!

Special abilities

Green Lacewings can lay their eggs on long, delicate stalks because it protects them from hungry predators like ants.

Larvae pile bits of leaves and debris onto their backs because it helps them blend in perfectly with their surroundings.

Baby lacewings have powerful, hollow jaws that help them pierce and slurp the insides of soft-bodied insect pests.

When scared, adult lacewings can release a yucky, strong odor because it helps them warn away predators.

Measurements & details

Wingspan: 15-30 mm
Size: 10-25 mm
Lifespan: 20-60 days
Flight Speed: 5-10 km/h
Leg Count: 6

Diet & Feeding

Baby lacewings are expert hunters of soft-bodied pests, while adults often enjoy sweet nectar and pollen.

Age differences: Larvae are fierce insectivores, consuming soft-bodied pests. Adults primarily consume nectar, pollen, and honeydew.

Primary Foods

Aphids
Mealybugs
Thrips
Nectar
Pollen
Honeydew

Foraging Method

Ambush

Ecological connections

hunts

Cotton Aphid

Aphis gossypii

Larvae are voracious predators of these garden pests.

hunts

Beet Armyworm

Spodoptera exigua

Larvae prey on the eggs and young caterpillars.

eaten by

Great Tit

Parus major

Adults and larvae are food for various insectivorous birds.

eaten by

Garden Orb-weaver

Araneus diadematus

Adults can get caught in spider webs and become prey.

eaten by

Red Wood Ant

Formica rufa

Ants, protecting aphids, may attack and consume lacewing eggs or larvae.

Traits

Solitary

Meet animals that enjoy their independence! These creatures prefer to live by themselves, finding food and shelter on their own.

Colorful

Discover amazing plants and animals that show off a dazzling array of bright and beautiful hues! They use their vibrant colors to attract attention or send signals.

Insectivorous

Discover clever creatures that specialize in munching on insects, playing a super important role in keeping bug populations in check. They are nature's tiny bug vacuums!

Ambush Predator

Meet masters of surprise! These clever hunters hide quietly and wait patiently for their prey to come close before pouncing with a quick move.

Keystone Species

Discover the hidden heroes of nature! These special species play an incredibly important role in their habitat, holding the entire ecosystem together like a crucial piece of a puzzle.

Miniature

Discover tiny wonders that are super small, perfect for a close-up look at nature's little details!

Urban Friendly

Spot amazing living things that thrive right alongside us in cities and towns, finding homes in parks, gardens, and even cracks in pavements.

Nocturnal

Explore the secret world of animals that come alive at night! They are wide awake when it's dark, using their amazing senses to find food and play.

Pollinator

Meet the busy helpers of the plant world! These creatures carry pollen from one flower to another, helping plants make seeds and grow fruits and vegetables.