Chrysoperla carnea, commonly known as the green lacewing, is a highly effective predatory insect used in biological pest control. Growers prize lacewings because their larvae are voracious generalist predators that consume a wide range of soft-bodied pests, including aphids, thrips larvae, whiteflies, mealybugs, spider mites, and scale insects. This makes them an excellent asset in home growing, greenhouse, and outdoor cultivation.

Green lacewings are suitable for many crops, especially low-growing crops, ranging from ornamentals to herbs and leafy greens. They fit naturally into Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs focused on sustainable, chemical-reduced pest management.

Here’s What They Look Like at Different Stages of Their Life:

Understanding the life stages helps growers recognize lacewing activity and the impact they have on the crop:

• Eggs: Lacewing eggs are laid individually or in small clusters at the end of slender stalks on leaf surfaces. They are pale to light green and visible to the naked eye.
• Larvae: The larval stage is the most voracious and important for pest control. Lacewing larvae are elongated, mottled brown in color, and have prominent mouthparts used to seize and consume prey. They are often called “aphid lions” due to their appetite for aphids.
• Pupae: Mature larvae spin a silken cocoon attached to leaf surfaces or stems and transform into adults.
• Adults: Adult green lacewings are delicate, pale green insects with large, net-like wings. Adults feed on nectar or honeydew for energy. They do not eat pests.

Note: Since larvae are the main feeding stage, the presence of larvae actively moving among foliage is a good sign that lacewing control is underway.

Why Growers Love It:

• Larvae consume a wide range of soft-bodied pests.
• Effective in many crops including ornamentals, cannabis, tropical houseplants, and leafy greens.
• Fits easily into IPM programs with other biologicals.
• Safe for people, plants, and can be used in conjunction with other beneficial insects like predatory mites, parasitic wasps, and nematodes.

Timing is critical to achieving success with predatory insects. They perform best when introduced before pests reach outbreak levels.

Preventive Use:

• Introduce lacewings when populations of soft-bodied pests begin to appear. Early use helps prevent large infestations.
• When prey is scarce, the larvae can resort to cannibalism, with the older larvae eating the younger. It is best used when there is pest activity.

Curative Use:

• Deploy during times of high pest infestations.
• Multiple releases may be required if pest pressure is high or crop is mature and dense.

Environmental Conditions:

• Active in a wide range of conditions, but larvae are most effective in moderate temperatures (approx. 20–28°C) and adequate humidity.
• Will work in temperatures as low as 12°C; however, pest control will be slow.
• Their efficiency is impaired by the presence of leaf hairs.
• The larvae are mainly active at night, sheltering under the plant or the rim of the pot, during daylight hours.
• Avoid areas where recent broad‑spectrum insecticides were applied — such treatments may reduce performance of the predator.

Note: Monitoring is essential. Inspect leaves, flowers, and fruit clusters at night and weekly to determine if additional releases are required. During the day, look under pot rims or in dark crevices.

Proper release techniques ensure the Chrysoperla carnea establish quickly and begin controlling pests effectively:

1. Distribute the product: Spin the bottle gently, then apply the contents evenly at distributed release points throughout the plant canopy—focus on flower zones and pest‑prone sites.
2. Recommended density: Release rates typically range from 2 to 20 adults per m², depending on crop type, infestation level and crop stage.
3. Follow‑up releases: In curative situations or severe infestations, a second release after 7–14 days often improves establishment and control.
4. Avoid interference: Do not release immediately before or after broad‑spectrum insecticide applications. If treatments are needed, choose only those compatible with beneficial insects.