Green Lacewing

🐛 Green Lacewing

Chrysoperla rufilabris · Neuroptera: Chrysopidae

Adult green lacewings are delicate green insects that adults often mistake for pests. Their larvae are ferocious predators sold commercially for garden pest control — with good reason.

LacewingBeneficialAphid LionChrysopidaeBiological ControlNeuroptera

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PestControlBasics Editorial Team

Reviewed by Derek Giordano · Updated 2026

Illustrated identification guide — PestControlBasics.com

🔍 Identification

Adults: 10-15mm; brilliant green with golden eyes; long delicate wings with lace venation; poor fliers; attracted to lights at night. Eggs: laid on silken stalks on plant surfaces — distinctive and unusual. Larvae (aphid lions): 6-8mm; mottled brown; large curved mandibles; actively hunt prey on plant surfaces.

🧬 Biology & Behavior

Lacewing larvae consume: aphids (100-200 per week), mite eggs, whitefly nymphs, scale crawlers, thrips, small caterpillar eggs. Each larva passes through 3 instars before pupating. The silken egg stalk protects eggs from being eaten by other predators — a sophisticated adaptation. Adults feed on pollen, nectar, and honeydew — planting flowering plants near aphid-prone areas supports adult populations.

⚠️ Damage & Health Risk

Zero negative impact. Highly beneficial biological control agents for soft-bodied pest insects and their eggs.

🔧 DIY Treatment

Protect natural populations: avoid broad-spectrum sprays that kill larvae. Plant flowering herbs (dill, fennel, cilantro, yarrow) near pest-prone plants to support adult populations. Commercial lacewing eggs available for release in greenhouses and gardens.

👷 When to Call a Pro

Commercial release in greenhouses: available as eggs from biological control suppliers; most effective in enclosed environments.

❓ FAQ

Can I buy lacewings for my garden?

Yes — lacewing eggs are widely available from organic gardening suppliers. They're most effective in enclosed spaces like greenhouses. In open gardens, adults tend to disperse. Building habitat (flowering plants, avoiding broad-spectrum sprays) sustains resident populations more cost-effectively than repeated purchase.

What eats lacewing eggs?

The egg-on-stalk adaptation evolved specifically to prevent the eggs from being eaten by other predatory insects. The stalk isolates each egg from the plant surface and from neighboring eggs, making it difficult for predators to reach. Even ants that farm aphids have difficulty reaching lacewing eggs on their stalks.

Factor	Details
U.S. Range	All or most U.S. states
Regional Detail	Distribution varies — consult your local extension service for regional prevalence data.

Factor

Details

U.S. Range

All or most U.S. states

Regional Detail

Distribution varies — consult your local extension service for regional prevalence data.

📅 Treatment Timing Guide

Treating at the right time dramatically improves results. Pest control timed to the life cycle uses less product and achieves better long-term control.

Period	Action
Spring	Inspection and perimeter treatment before pest season starts.
Summer	Active monitoring and targeted treatments as needed.
Fall	Preventive treatment before overwintering pests seek entry.

Period

Action

Spring

Inspection and perimeter treatment before pest season starts.

Summer

Active monitoring and targeted treatments as needed.

Fall

Preventive treatment before overwintering pests seek entry.

💰 Professional Treatment Costs

Service Type	DIY Cost	Professional Cost
Initial inspection	Free (self-inspect)	$75–$150 (often credited to treatment)
One-time treatment	$30–$100 in materials	$150–$500
Annual service contract	N/A	$400–$900/year
Severe infestation	Often ineffective alone	$500–$2,500+

Service Type

DIY Cost

Professional Cost

Initial inspection

Free (self-inspect)

$75–$150 (often credited to treatment)

One-time treatment

$30–$100 in materials

$150–$500

Annual service contract

N/A

$400–$900/year

Severe infestation

Often ineffective alone

$500–$2,500+

Prices vary by region, property size, and infestation severity.

❓ Common Questions About 🐛 Green Lacewing

How do I confirm I actually have this pest (not something similar)?

The most reliable confirmation is a physical specimen — capture one and compare to reference images on this page. For cryptic pests (bed bugs, termites), look for secondary signs: frass, shed skins, mud tubes, or bites with a specific pattern. When uncertain, a professional inspection is faster than months of misidentification.

Can I treat this myself or do I need a professional?

DIY is effective for small, accessible infestations caught early. Professionals are worth the cost when: the infestation is inside wall voids or structural elements, multiple rooms are affected, you have health-risk pests (hantavirus, venomous species), or DIY has already failed twice.

How long until the infestation is completely gone?

Expect 3–8 weeks for most infestations with proper treatment. Insects with dormant life stages (pupae, eggs) extend the timeline because those stages are impervious to most insecticides. Follow-up treatments at 2 and 4 weeks catch each new cohort as they emerge.

What's the most common mistake people make treating this pest?

Treating only the visible pest population while ignoring the harborage site, entry point, or breeding location. Killing adults provides temporary relief but the population rebuilds from hidden egg cases, pupae, or new arrivals through unaddressed entry points.