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Lichen-carrying Green Lacewing

Leucochrysa pavida

The Lichen-carrying Green Lacewing is a tiny insect that loves to carry bits of lichen on its back! This helps it blend in with its surroundings and stay safe from predators.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Lichen-carrying Green Lacewing is a delicate insect with a slender, pale green body and large, iridescent, veined wings. Its unique feature is the remarkable camouflage created by fragments of lichen and other debris it carries on its back, making it blend seamlessly into its surroundings.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderNeuropteraFamilyChrysopidaeGenusLeucochrysa
Lichen-carrying Green Lacewing
solitary trait badgecamouflaged trait badgeinsectivorous trait badgedecomposer trait badge
Lichen-carrying Green Lacewing

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Adult lacewings have huge, golden eyes that sparkle brightly in the light!

Baby 'trash bugs' wear hats of lichen and debris to hide from enemies!

Its eggs are laid on tiny silk stalks, making them look like miniature lollipops!

These gentle fliers communicate using subtle buzzing sounds and body vibrations!

Special abilities

Ability

Camouflage Master

Lichen-carrying Green Lacewing can disguise itself with lichen and debris because it helps them become almost invisible to predators.

Ability

Pest Predator Jaws

Lichen-carrying Green Lacewing has fierce, sickle-shaped jaws as a larva that helps them hunt and eat small plant pests.

Ability

Vibration Listener

Lichen-carrying Green Lacewing can sense vibrations through their legs that helps them detect nearby prey or threats.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
30-40 mm
Size
15-20 mm
Lifespan
20-60 days
Flight Speed
8 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Adults sip nectar, but hungry larvae are mighty hunters of soft-bodied garden pests.

Age differences: Larvae are voracious predators of soft-bodied insects, while adults primarily feed on nectar and pollen.

Primary Foods

  • Aphids
  • Mealybugs
  • Scale insects
  • Spider mites
  • Nectar
  • Pollen

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

eats

Cotton Aphid

Aphis gossypii

larvae are voracious predators of these common plant pests

eats

Citrus Mealybug

Planococcus citri

an important natural control agent for them in gardens

eaten by

Blue Jay

Cyanocitta cristata

adults and larvae can be prey for these opportunistic birds

eaten by

Flower Crab Spider

Misumena vatia

ambush predators on flowers where adult lacewings feed

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

These insects are friendly and safe to observe. Just be gentle and don't touch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lichen-carrying Green Lacewing's wingspan?

30-40 mm

How big is Lichen-carrying Green Lacewing?

15-20 mm

How long does Lichen-carrying Green Lacewing live?

20-60 days

How fast can Lichen-carrying Green Lacewing fly?

8 km/h

What does Lichen-carrying Green Lacewing eat?

Adults sip nectar, but hungry larvae are mighty hunters of soft-bodied garden pests.

Where is Lichen-carrying Green Lacewing usually found?

Forests

How does Lichen-carrying Green Lacewing hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Lichen-carrying Green Lacewing have?

6

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