Garden Guardians: Lacewings

"A green lacewing (Chrysoperla sp.), adult." (Photo by Drees, sourced from Texas A&M University - Texas Insects.)

The Overlooked Garden Guardians: Why Lacewings Deserve More Love

When it comes to beneficial insects, everyone talks about bees and butterflies. They get all the glory for their pollination efforts, but there’s another unsung hero silently protecting our gardens—lacewings. These delicate, lace-winged insects might look fragile, but they are among the most formidable natural predators of garden pests. In fact, their larvae are so voracious that they have earned the nickname "aphid lions." By inviting lacewings into your garden, you can reduce the need for chemical pesticides and let nature take care of pest control for you.

Nature’s Pest Control Champions

Lacewing larvae are ruthless hunters of many destructive garden pests, including:

"Lacewing larva (bottom) eating an aphid (top)." (Photo by Cristhian Ochoa, sourced from Purdue University’s Fruit, Vegetable, & Flower Insect Newsletter.)

• Aphids

• Spider mites

• Thrips

• Mealybugs

• Leafhoppers

• Small caterpillars

• Whiteflies

• Scale insects

• Lace bugs

Using their curved, needle-like jaws, lacewing larvae impale their prey and suck out their fluids, leaving behind dry husks. A single lacewing larva can consume hundreds of aphids over its development, making them one of the most effective biological controls available. Some studies suggest they can eat up to 60 aphids in an hour!

Unlike their larvae, adult lacewings have a much gentler diet, feeding mostly on nectar, pollen, and honeydew. However, some species—especially brown lacewings—continue to prey on pests even in adulthood. Regardless, their primary role is to lay eggs near pest infestations, ensuring the next generation of aphid lions is ready to hatch and feed.

Life Cycle: The Making of a Predator

Lacewings undergo complete metamorphosis, moving through four life stages:

1. Egg: Tiny oval eggs are laid on the tip of slender stalks to prevent cannibalism among the larvae.

2. Larva: This is the most active predatory stage, lasting 2–3 weeks. The larva molts three times, becoming more aggressive with each stage.

3. Pupa: When fully grown, the larva spins a cocoon and pupates for 1–2 weeks.

4. Adult: Once emerged, the adult lacewing mates and lays 100–300 eggs, continuing the cycle.

In warm conditions, this entire life cycle can repeat every 4–6 weeks, allowing multiple generations to keep pests under control throughout the growing season.

Lacewing Behavior: Stealthy Night Hunters

Lacewings are mostly nocturnal, preferring to remain hidden during the day. If you notice small green insects fluttering around porch lights at night, you likely have lacewings in your garden.

Some lacewing larvae take camouflage to the extreme, covering themselves with debris, bits of lichen, or even the corpses of their prey—giving them the nickname "trash bugs." This helps them stay hidden from predators like birds and ants while hunting aphids undetected.

Despite their predatory nature, lacewings are completely harmless to humans. The only downside? If startled, adult lacewings can release a foul-smelling compound called skatole, earning them the nickname "stinkflies."

Cool Facts About Lacewings

"Lacewing eggs on a leaf." (Photo by Karz09, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.)

• "Aphid Lions" in Action: Lacewing larvae pierce aphids with sickle-shaped jaws and suck them dry in under a minute.

• Bat Avoidance Strategy: Lacewings can detect bat echolocation clicks and will drop to the ground mid-flight to avoid being eaten.

• Eggs That Look Like Fairy Lights: Lacewing eggs on stalks can resemble tiny fungi or slime mold, leading some gardeners to mistake them for plant disease.

• Trash Bugs’ Master Disguise: Some larvae wear the dried remains of their victims as a cloak to avoid predators

  
  

Encouraging Lacewings in Your Garden

Want to invite these beneficial insects to your garden? Here’s how to make your space lacewing-friendly:

1. Grow Nectar-Rich Flowers

Adult lacewings need pollen and nectar to sustain themselves. The best plants for attracting them include:

• Dill

• Fennel

• Coriander (Cilantro)

• Yarrow

• Alyssum

• Cosmos

• Goldenrod

• Dandelion

2. Avoid Chemical Pesticides

Broad-spectrum insecticides don’t just kill pests—they also eliminate beneficial insects like lacewings. If you must treat an infestation, opt for selective or organic treatments that target only the pests.

3. Provide Overwintering Shelter

Lacewings overwinter as adults or pupae in sheltered areas such as:

• Leaf litter

• Bark crevices

• Insect hotels filled with straw or wood shavings

4. Buy and Release Lacewing Eggs

You can purchase lacewing eggs or larvae from garden centers and introduce them to pest-infested plants. Once hatched, they will get to work immediately hunting aphids and other soft-bodied insects.

Conclusion: The Secret Weapon for a Thriving Garden

Lacewings might not get the same recognition as bees, but they play an equally vital role in garden health. By naturally controlling pest populations, they reduce the need for chemical treatments and support a balanced ecosystem. Every gardener should welcome these tiny green guardians into their landscape.

So the next time you see a delicate green insect hovering in the evening light, take a moment to appreciate it—that’s a lacewing, tirelessly working to keep your garden pest-free.

Would you like to see more nature-friendly gardening tips? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!