FaunaHub

Lacewing (order Neuroptera)

InsectBeneficialPredator

Green lacewing (Chrysoperla carnea), a delicate insect with lacy transparent wings.

Common green lacewing (Chrysoperla carnea).

Image: Line Sabroe from Denmark, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Overview

Lacewings are delicate, soft-bodied insects named for their large, transparent, finely net-veined wings, which they hold roof-like over the body at rest. The common green lacewings (such as Chrysoperla) are slender and pale green with shimmering golden or coppery eyes; brown lacewings and other relatives belong to the same broad order (Neuroptera). Gentle and harmless as adults, lacewings are gardeners' friends — but their young are anything but gentle.

Lacewing larvae are ferocious little predators, nicknamed “aphid lions” for the huge numbers of aphids and other soft pests they devour, making lacewings one of the most valued beneficial insects in gardens and on farms.

Note: “lacewing” covers many species; details here use the common green lacewing as a reference. Treat general statements as approximate and verify against authoritative sources.

Habitat & Range

Lacewings are found worldwide in gardens, meadows, hedgerows, fields, woodlands, and almost anywhere with plants and the small insects their larvae eat. Adults are often drawn to lights at night and shelter in vegetation by day; many overwinter as adults in sheltered spots, sometimes turning brownish or pink for the cold season.

Diet

The larvae are voracious predators, feeding on aphids, mites, scale insects, small caterpillars, insect eggs, and other soft-bodied pests, which they seize with large, curved, pincer-like jaws and drain. Adults vary: some are predators too, while many green lacewings feed mainly on nectar, pollen, and honeydew, with their pest-eating role concentrated in the larval stage. Either way, lacewings are a powerful natural check on plant pests.

Behavior

Lacewings have a complete life cycle — egg, larva, pupa, adult. Green lacewings famously lay each egg on a fine, hair-like stalk, lifting it above the leaf surface to protect it from predators (including their own hungry siblings). The hatched larvae roam plants hunting pests with their pincer jaws, and some species camouflage themselves by piling the drained husks of their prey and other debris onto their backs. After pupating in a silken cocoon, the adult emerges, flying weakly on its lacy wings, mostly at dusk and night. Some lacewings even communicate by tiny body vibrations during courtship.

Human Interaction & Conservation

Lacewings are among the most welcome insects in gardens and agriculture: their aphid-eating larvae provide valuable natural pest control, and they are reared and sold commercially to help manage pests without chemicals. Encouraging lacewings — by providing flowers, reducing pesticide use, and offering shelter — supports healthier, more balanced gardens. They are harmless to people. Consult authoritative sources for details on specific species.

More photos of the lacewing

A green lacewing with golden eyes and net-veined wings.

Green lacewing (Chrysoperla).

Image: Syrio, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently Asked Questions — Lacewing

Why are lacewings good for the garden?
Because their larvae are voracious predators of aphids, mites, scale insects, and other soft-bodied pests — earning the nickname 'aphid lions.' A single lacewing larva can eat large numbers of aphids as it grows, so lacewings provide powerful, chemical-free natural pest control, which is why they're reared and sold to help protect crops and gardens.
Why do green lacewings lay eggs on stalks?
Each egg is placed on top of a fine, hair-like stalk that raises it above the leaf surface. This helps protect the egg from predators — including the lacewing's own newly hatched, cannibalistic larvae, which would otherwise eat their unhatched siblings. It's a neat trick to give more of the eggs a chance to survive.
Are lacewings harmful to people?
No, lacewings are harmless. The adults are gentle, delicate insects that don't bite or sting in any meaningful way, and they're beneficial rather than pests. The only 'fierce' part of their lives is the larval stage, and that ferocity is aimed at garden pests like aphids, not at humans.
What do adult lacewings eat?
It varies by species. Some adult lacewings are predators like their larvae, but many common green lacewings feed mainly on nectar, pollen, and honeydew (the sugary excretion of aphids). In those species, the main pest-eating happens in the larval stage, while the adults focus on feeding lightly and reproducing.

Sources and further reading

Authoritative wildlife references used for general educational context. Conservation status should always be verified against current IUCN Red List data. External links open in a new tab.