by Nanette Londeree, Master Rosarian
SIGNS
- Slender pale green insect, ½ – ¾ inch long with transparent, highly veined wings and immense golden eyes
- Grayish to brown, mottled and spiny larvae with flattened body tapered at the tail, distinct legs and large pinchers
- Spherical, parchment-like, silken cocoons attached to plants or under loose bark
- Eggs at the ends of long silken stalks singly or in clusters
SYMPTOMS
None
CAUSE
Green lacewings from the genera Chrysoperla and Chrysopa
OPTIMAL CONDITIONS
- Commonly found in agricultural, landscape, and garden habitats
- In mild winter areas, can be found throughout the year
- Adults in the genera Chrysoperla feed only on nectar, pollen and honeyed dew; those in the genera Chrysopa consume these as well as well as some insects
- Larvae are the voracious hunters
- Adults are active fliers during evening and night with a characteristic, fluttering flight, often being drawn to light
TREATMENT
Prevention:
None – these insects should be encouraged to stay in your garden by providing nectar-producing plants along with some flowering weeds, a source of water and a low level of aphids
Elimination:
None – you don’t want to eliminate these from the garden
GOOD GUY / BAD GUY?
Definitely a good guy; the larvae as predators and the beautiful adults as pollinators