Green lacewings[]
Arthropods (Arthropoda)----Insects (Insecta)----Net-winged Insects (Neuroptera)---Green Lacewings (Chrysopidae)
Green lacewings are a common moth-like insect with delicate net-like patterns on its 4 wings. Most Green lacewings are readily attracted to any lights at night, but are not common with normal lightbulbs shining out through the windows, best results require a more powerful bulb. Under magnification the wing veins of a Green lacewing appear hairy, this can not be seen easily with the naked eye. In winter some species hibernate and come into houses until spring, during this period lacewings will turn brown or brown & yellow, on warm winter days they can sometimes be disturbed from shrubbery in shady areas of your garden. Larvae collect leaf litter and build a "house" to help camoflauge, the larvae are frequently seen as a moving bunch of "stuff" with their two long jaws protuding out the end. Some Chrysoperla species are brown all-year round. All species used to be placed under the genus Chrysopa, it wasn't until someone examined each of them that it was learned that there were actually many different groups.
Feeding[]
All Green lacewings feeds on soft-bodied Arthropods, (with no shells or plating) including pests such as Aphids, Mealybugs and Scale Insects. Which makes them a beneficial insect, and almost as part of the garden as the Ladybird.
Habitats[]
Long grass, garden plants and hedges in sub-urban environments.
Tips on finding[]
These can be found as easily as moths, just go around the thick bushes in the area and shake them for 2 seconds, this is the best way of finding them in the day or if you do not have a strong enough light. Even though the insect does land eventually it does help to bring a net to capture the insect so that it does not fly over a fence or fly into an out of bounds area, this way you can view it closely and identify it. Normally after some time you will get to know which particular hedges are best for shaking out moths and lacewings. For more, see the Bush shaking technique.
Chrysopa chi. This view makes the 4 wings easier to make out, one wing is hidden under the top wing on the left side of the body.
Species[]
| Golden-eyed Green lacewing | Chrysopa oculata | No common name | Chrysopa chi |
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| Common Green lacewing | Chrysoperla carnea | No common name | Chrysoperla sp. |
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