Males and female green lacewings of the same species are similar in size and appearance. The body color of green lacewings is greenish with copper colored eyes, with greenish to yellowish, lacy, iridescent wings. Green lacewings have long antennae. The eggs are very small and white and are attached to stalks on foliage and other substrates, including buildings. The larvae look similar to those of lady beetles, but are visibly hairy. They are also elongate and have sickle-shaped jaws. The larvae of some species attach debris to their backs as camouflage, earning them the name "trash bugs."
The life cycle of green lacewings is completed in 37 to 60 days. There are two to four generations per year.
Green lacewings are found living in grass, weeds and on foliage of trees and shrubs throughout the United States.
Green lacewings feed on aphids, caterpillars, butterfly eggs, scale insects, leafhoppers, thrips, small flies, mites, other green lacewings and many other small insects and their eggs.
Images
To save the Web-optimized images shown below to your hard drive:
|
Click to access Display and Print quality images. |
|
Click to access Display and Print quality images. |
|
Click to access Display and Print quality images. |
|
Click to access Display and Print quality images. |
|
Click to access Display and Print quality images. |