A soft-winged soldier: what is a lacewing?
A lacewing is a small, light-green insect that looks very soft and gentle. Its wings are thin like lace and shine in the sunlight. The adult looks weak, but its baby (called a larva) is a strong hunter.
Lacewing larvae are long and thin, shaped a bit like a tiny alligator. People sometimes refer to them as “aphid lions” because they feast on plant pests. They feed on aphids, mealybugs, whiteflies, scale insects and short caterpillars too. With a lot of lacewing larvae, pest numbers diminish very quickly.
There are two main types you may see:
- Green lacewings (common in gardens)
- Brown lacewings (also helpful and can live in slightly different conditions)
Adult lacewings primarily consume nectar, pollen and honeydew. It is the babies (larvae) that are actually pest-killers.
Why lacewings matter in a garden (and why they’re better than many sprays)
You could think of lacewings as minuscule but mighty pest-cleaning teams for your garden. Here’s why they are useful:
- They eat pests when it matters most.
Lacewing larvae consume aphids, thrips, whiteflies and other soft-bodied insects. A single larva can eat lots of aphids in just a few days. - They help you use fewer chemicals.
With lacewings, a lot of gardeners don’t need these heavy insect sprays that kill good insects as well. - They attack pests only where needed.
Lacewings are attracted to areas where pests reside. Sprays shoot everywhere, but lacewings go straight to the problem.
That is why lacewings are a very important component of integrated pest management (IPM), particularly in the vegetable garden and pollinator-friendly gardens.
A small, relatable story: lacewings at work
Imagine you’re staring at a tomato plant in late spring. The leaves are glossy and green, but there’s a collection of tiny aphids on the new stems.
After a day or two, the little brown lacewing larvae are crawling all over. They are slow moving, plucking off each aphid individually. They suck them dry, and leave the empty skins.
After one week, the aphids are nearly gone. The tomato plant looks clean, vigorous again. The aroma of warm soil and tomato leaves is in the air.
This quiet, slow, but effective work is done by lacewings.
Life cycle & timing — when to expect lacewings
If you understand how lacewings grow, you will know when to wait and when to help:
- Adults lay eggs on tiny stalks near pests. Adults eat nectar and pollen, so flowers help them stay.
- Eggs hatch as larvae, which are the life stage that eats pests.
- Larvae eats for days or weeks, then create a cocoon.
- Adults emerge, mate and lay more eggs.
In warm areas, lacewings can produce multiple generations within a season. In cooler areas, their time of activity is late spring through early fall.
How to attract lacewings to your garden (easy tips)
You can get lacewings to love your garden by doing a few simple things:
- Grow nectar and pollen flowers.
Dill, fennel, cosmos, yarrow, buckwheat, alyssum and coreopsis are all good. Nectar and pollen are required to keep adults healthy. - Give them shelter.
Any patch of tall grass, native plants or even a stack of little sticks can become lacewing habitat. - Do not use strong insecticides.
These sprays kill lacewings too. If you have to spray, use non-chemical weapons like insecticidal soap and make sure your target is not the bees while they’re not active. - Use companion plants.
A few plants have a few aphids there. This provides lacewings with something to eat, so they hang around in your garden.
7 Companion Plants That Kick Pests Out — Naturally!
- Provide water.
A shallow dish with pebbles or a place you mist lightly helps adults drink safely.
These are the steps that help lacewings to take up residence in your garden long-term, not just visit once.
Should you buy and release lacewings? Here’s what to know
Lacewing eggs or larvae can be purchased from garden shops or online. This comes in handy for greenhouses or valuable plants.
Pros:
- Good for quick pest reduction
- Effective in greenhouses or indoor gardens
Cons:
- They won’t stay unless your garden has flowers and shelter
- You must release them when pests are available (so babies have food)
- Very hot, very cold, or very wet weather can kill them
If you buy lacewings, follow the instructions, release them in the evening, and make sure your garden has flowers so adults stay.
Garden Pests: Spot, Prevent & Control Naturally
Using lacewings with other methods (IPM approach)
Lacewings work best when you use them along with other plant-care steps:
- Monitor plants: check weekly
- Cultural control: give plants space, prune crowded branches
- Mechanical control: wash heavy pest groups with water
- Biological control: support lacewings, ladybugs, hoverflies, parasitic wasps
- Chemical control (last option): use very mild sprays only when needed
This balanced method reduces chemical use and keeps your garden healthy.
Common mistakes gardeners make with lacewings (and how to avoid them)
- Releasing lacewings when there are no flowers.
Adults will fly away. Always plant blooms first. - Spraying chemicals after releasing lacewings.
This kills the lacewings. Avoid spraying on that day. - Expecting fast results.
Lacewings work slowly. Give them a few weeks. - Ignoring ants.
Ants protect aphids. Control ants so lacewings can do their job.
FAQs — quick and simple answers
Q: Do lacewings bite or sting humans or pets?
No, lacewings are completely harmless.
Q: Will they eat good insects?
Larvae eat soft pests only. Adults eat nectar and pollen. They are not toxic to bees or large pollinators.
Q: How many aphids can one larva eat?
Dozens and dozens in just a couple of days, depending on food available.
Q: Are lacewings good for greenhouses?
Yes, if there are flowers and you let them go at just the right moment.
Q: When should I release store-bought lacewings?
Evening on a relatively windless day when pests are active.
Q: Can lacewings fix every pest problem?
No. They are most effective on soft pests such as aphids, mealybugs and whiteflies.
Q: Can I attract lacewings indoors?
It’s hard because grown-ups require the flowers and open spaces. Indoors, use other safe methods.
Q: How long do lacewing larvae live?
A few days to a few weeks before they turn into adults.
Final thoughts: a small step toward a balanced garden
Lacewings are little but mighty helpers. They’re not fast-acting, but they work slowly to bring your garden into balance. Avoid heavy sprays, do some planting and keep an eye on your plants, and lacewings and other good insects will be there to help ensure your garden stays healthy. The reward? Fewer pests, happier plants and the satisfaction of seeing nature take care of itself — with a little help from lacewings.
