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Common Green Lacewing

Common Green Lacewing ©Rachel Scopes

Common green lacewing

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Scientific name: Chrysoperla carnea
The common green lacewing is a lime green, delicate insect, with translucent, intricately veined wings. It is common in gardens and parks, where it helps to control aphid pests.

Top facts

Stats

Length: 1-1.5cm

Conservation status

Common.

When to see

April to October

About

There are 14 species of green lacewing in the UK and 29 species of brown lacewing. Probably the most familiar is the Common green lacewing, which is lime green, with large, delicately veined, translucent wings. It is commonly found in gardens and helps to keep pests under control as adults and larvae both feed on aphids. Lacewings are also widespread in parks, woods and meadows. Female lacewings lay their eggs on a thread of hardened mucus attached to a leaf, so they are suspended in the air. Adults will hibernate over winter, often in buildings.

What to look for

The Common green lacewing is a familiar garden insect with copper eyes, green, lacy wings, and a green body. It turns pinkish-brown in the autumn. However, the different species of green lacewing are very difficult to tell apart.

Where to find

Widespread.

Habitats

Did you know?

Once they have sucked all the juices out of an aphid, the larvae of some lacewing species use the dried out bodies as camouflage, sticking the skins to their own backs and hunting down more aphid-prey.