# 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! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Gardens - **Also known as:** Green Lacewing, Green Lacewing Fly, Lacewing ![Green Lacewings](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424580/objects/3827.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Neuroptera - **Family:** Chrysopidae ## 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 - **Egg Stilt Magic:** Green Lacewings can lay their eggs on long, delicate stalks because it protects them from hungry predators like ants. - **Trash Cloak Disguise:** Larvae pile bits of leaves and debris onto their backs because it helps them blend in perfectly with their surroundings. - **Aphid Lion Jaws:** Baby lacewings have powerful, hollow jaws that help them pierce and slurp the insides of soft-bodied insect pests. - **Stinky Defense Spray:** 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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](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. - [Ambush Predator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ambush-predator): An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range. - [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. - [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind. - [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. - [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) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Green lacewings are harmless, so you can watch them without worry! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify 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 Green Lacewings's wingspan? 15-30 mm ### How big is Green Lacewings? 10-25 mm ### How long does Green Lacewings live? 20-60 days ### How fast can Green Lacewings fly? 5-10 km/h ### What does Green Lacewings eat? Baby lacewings are expert hunters of soft-bodied pests, while adults often enjoy sweet nectar and pollen. ### Where is Green Lacewings usually found? Gardens ### How does Green Lacewings hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks War Memorial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/van-nuys-sherman-oaks-war-memorial-park) — California, US · Park - [McGee Creek State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mcgee-creek-state-park) — Oklahoma, US · State Park - [Surrey Square Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/surrey-square-park) — Virginia, US · Park [View all places to see Green Lacewings](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/green-lacewings) ## Watch - [Play video: Green Lacewings](https://www.snappit.app/videos/green-lacewings) - [YouTube](https://youtube.com/watch?v=ua8AC32HjwY) ## 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: [Green Lacewings: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/green-lacewings)