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Beneficial (predator, parasitoid or soil ally)

Lacewing

Chrysoperla carnea

Plate: John Curtis, British Entomology (1824-1840) · Public domain · source

Role in the garden

The adult is soft green with large iridescent wings (“the golden-eyed maiden”), nocturnal, feeding on pollen and nectar. The LARVA = a formidable predator of aphids, and also of mites and whiteflies (McEwen, New & Whittington, 2001). Overwinters as an adult in shelters (barns, under bark).

Activity period

April to October, overwinters as an adult

How to attract / manage it

Egg-laying is recognisable: white-green eggs set at the tip of tiny stalks (“on a stem”), protection against ants.

Practical guide

Where to find them

Near aphid and mite colonies. The larva is spindle-shaped, grey-brown, with long sickle-shaped mandibles. Adults seen in the evening, drawn to lights.

Prevention

Continuous nectar-rich flowers for the adults (flowering Apiaceae, yarrow, borage). Overwintering shelters (insect hotel with a straw compartment, accessible barns). Purchase possible in professional biological control (releases of eggs or larvae).

Sources

  • McEwen, P.K., New, T.R. & Whittington, A.E. (dir.) (2001). Lacewings in the Crop Environment. Cambridge University Press.
  • RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) : Aphids (rhs.org.uk/biodiversity/aphids)

Favourite plants / resources

Apiaceae (fennel, dill, carrot)Asteraceae (yarrow, tansy)Borage

Related plant entries

Borage

An exceptional nectar plant, much visited by bumblebees and bees, it serves as a relay for pollinators at the edge of the vegetable garden.