This month I wanted to focus on a beneficial insect that often gets overlooked, but serves a critical role in a sound IPM program…Lacewings. Now Lacewings should not be confused with Lacebugs which can damage plants, rather Lacewings are usually predacious and feed on other insects. These soft bodied insects should be protected and conserved when they are present because some species will feed on aphids, mites, whiteflies, scales, leaf hoppers and other soft bodied insects. They help to fill the gaps that insecticides can leave behind. All larvae of lacewings are predators on other insects while some species of adults are predacious and other species are pollen and nectar feeders. In order to attract these insects you must provide for them not only the insect food source but also a steady pollen and nectar food source too! During the summer months eggs will hatch in about 7-10 days and the larvae that emerges has two large mandibles that extended from its mouth. These mandibles resemble large claws that help the Lacewing larvae to catch and hold its prey while it feeds.

Lacewing larvae feeding on scale crawlers – photo by Matthew Shultz

Lacewing larvae feed voraciously on soft bodied insects for several days to a couple of weeks depending on conditions and food availability before it will become a cocoon. Once metamorphosis is complete the adult will emerge and will also be soft bodied. These insects have 4 wings that delicately lay down the insect’s back. The wings are divided by hundreds of tiny veins which is actually where its’ species name Neuroptera is derived from, meaning “Nerve Wing”. Lacewings are not strong fliers but are very quick to fly away when disturbed, they have a similar flight pattern to a moth or butterfly.

Green Lacewing Larvae – Photo by Matthew Shultz

The green lacewing, in the family Chrysopa is commercially available for purchase and is easy to integrate into most IPM programs. Green lacewing females lay their eggs upon silk stalks to prevent them from feeding by other predators.

Eggs of Green Lacewing – Photo by Matthew Shultz

Once these insects are present growers should use compatible insecticides that have minimal impact to these beneficial insects. Consult you Harrell’s tech rep for more information!