A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Project Noah Nature School
Chrysoperla
Green lacewings are delicate insects, characterized by a wide costal field in their wing venation, which includes the cross-veins. The bodies are usually bright green to greenish-brown, and the compound eyes are conspicuously golden in many species. The wings are usually translucent with a slight iridescence; some have green wing veins or a cloudy brownish wing pattern. The vernacular name "stinkflies", used chiefly for Chrysopa species, refers to their ability to release a vile smell from paired prothoracal glands when handled.
my yard on different evenings
Spotted on Jul 5, 2012
Submitted on Jul 29, 2012
5 Comments
Thanks! I don't have those plants in my yard but there is a large population of green lacewings so they must be finding plenty to thrive on. :>)
Here are some plants I am aware of that they like. Angelica - Goldenrod - Wild Carrot - Queen Anne's Lace - Oleander. They like brewers yeast mixed with water too, if that helps. They eat aphids, thrips, mealy bugs and whiteflies.
Thanks, Mayra. Nexttogone, that is interesting that they showed up so quickly! I don't have oleanders but lots of green lacewings!
Love these guys! These are part of my military against aphids, scale and midges on the property. I planted two Oleander bushes specifically to bring these in and I had them showing up that first night.
Fascinating!!