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Green lacewing larva

Chrysoperla carnea

Description:

The adults feed on nectar, pollen and aphid honeydew but the larvae are active predators and feed on aphids and other small insects. It has been used in the biological control of insect pests on crops.The larvae are about one millimetre long when they first hatch. They are brown and resemble small alligators, crawling actively around in search of prey.[2] They have a pair of pincer-like mandibles on their head with which they grasp their prey, sometimes lifting the victim off the leaf surface to prevent its escape. The larvae inject enzymes into the bodies of their victims which digest the internal organs, after which they suck out the liquidated body fluids. The larvae grow to about eight millimetres long before they spin circular cocoons and pupate.

Habitat:

is an insect in the Chrysopidae family. It is found in many parts of North America, Europe and Asia. Although the larvae are effective as biological control agents, in open air environments the adult lacewings tend to disperse widely. They may remain in the original release location if they have sources of nectar, pollen or honeydew to feed on in the general vicinity.

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2 Comments

The MnMs
The MnMs 12 years ago

Many thanks for the ID, Keith. It really helped :-)

KeithRoragen
KeithRoragen 12 years ago

Looks like a lacewing larva.

http://bugguide.net/node/view/204908

The MnMs
Spotted by
The MnMs

Oud-Heverlee, Vlaanderen, Belgium

Spotted on Aug 15, 2011
Submitted on Aug 31, 2011

Related Spottings

Green Lacewing(egg) Common green lacewing Groene Gaasvlieg (Chrysoperla sp.) Green lacewing

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Doronteantus/magic carpet Broad-leaved Helleborine orchid Purple loosestrife Catterpillar in dandelion

Reference

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