Natural Enemies of Aphids

Native and Naturalized
Predators
Parasitoids
Pathogens

Exotic Natural Enemies Under Review

Green lacewings

Green lacewings are very common insects and one of the groups most frequently found feeding on aphids.

The adult insect is soft, with an elongate, green body, large lacy wings held tent-like over the back when at rest, and elongate, thread-like antennae (Figure 1). The length of the body (including wings) is in the range of ½ to 1 inch. Adults may or may not prey on insects, but they do feed on aphid honeydew.

Figure 1. Adult green lacewing Photo credit: Oregon State

Figure 2. Green lacewing larva (aphid lion) Photo credit: Peter Sonnentag, courtesy Eileen Cullen

Figure 4. Lacewing pupa Photo credit: Peter Sonnentag, courtesy Eileen Cullen

The larvae (sometimes called aphid lions) are active and voracious predators that resemble lady beetle larvae in size and shape, but are usually mottled light brown to tan or grayish in color and equipped with a pair of large piercing mouthparts (Figure 2). Larvae ultimately attain a size of about 1/3 inch long.

Although lacewings tend to be aphid specialists, they will feed on most any appropriately-sized insects that they can capture.

Green lacewings are in the order Neuroptera and family Chrysopidae.

Green lacewing eggs are unique in that they are laid on upright hair-like stalks, either singly or in small groups (Figure 3). Lacewing pupae are enclosed in a spherical silken cocoon (Figure 4.).

Figure 3. Green lacewing eggs Photo credit: Oregon State University Extension