How to Manage Pests
Identification: Natural Enemies Gallery
Scientific name: Chrysopa spp., Chrysoperla spp.
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Common prey: Predaceous on a wide variety of small insects
Commercially available: Yes
Green lacewings are generalist predators and are commonly found in
agricultural, landscape, and garden habitats. Adult green lacewings
are soft-bodied insects with four membranous wings, golden eyes, and
green bodies. Adults often fly at night and are seen when drawn to
lights. Some species of green lacewing adults are predaceous, others
feed strictly on honeydew, nectar, and pollen. Females lay their tiny,
oblong eggs on silken stalks attached to plant tissues. Depending on
the species, eggs are laid singly or in clusters, each on an individual
stalk. Eggs are green when laid, then darken before hatching. Lacewings
undergo complete metamorphosis with eggs hatching about 4 days after
being laid, and larvae develop through three instars before pupating.
Larvae, which are pale with dark markings, look like tiny alligators.
Larvae are flattened, tapered at the tail, measure 3-20 mm (1/8 to
4/5 of an inch) long, have distinct legs, and possess prominent mandibles
with which they attack their prey. Larvae prey upon a wide variety
of small insects including mealybugs, psyllids, thrips, mites, whiteflies,
aphids, small caterpillars, leafhoppers, and insect eggs. Pupation
occurs in loosely woven, spherical, silken cocoons attached to plants
or under loose bark. All stages of lacewings can survive mild winters
and can be found throughout the year in many agricultural areas of
California. Green lacewings are commercially available and are among
the most commonly released predators. For information on a less common lacewing group, see brown lacewing.