Lacewings (Chrysopa and Chrysoperla Spp.), as the name would suggest, have wings that are lace-like. They are transparent with a lattice of fine green veins. The body of the 12 species most commonly seen is pale green to bluish-green, making these one of the most recogniseable and beautiful insects in the garden. They are 3-4cm long with metallic-looking eyes. There are 76 species in Britain.

Lacewings are fond of farm buildings for shelter. However, most farms are dangerous places where pesticides drift in the air. If the pesticides don’t harm them directly they will poison their food supply (aphids). Hedgerows have been removed to extend fields, and woods are raized to the ground, leaving fewer and fewer places to go.

With the loss of natural habitats, gardens are ever more important refuges. Avoid using pesticides in the garden. In a well balanced wildlife garden the lacewings, along with ladybirds, birds, hoverflies and wasps will keep the aphid population under control. Provide shelters such as lacewing lodges for bad weather and overwintering.

Larvae consume around 200 aphids before becoming adults. The adults continue the same diet, making them a garden ally.

The larvae of green lacewings hatch from stalked eggs laid on the underside of leaves at the top of tall plants. Brown lacewing eggs are unstalked. The larvae are voracious carnivores and may eat unhatched eggs before going on to consume aphids. The larvae spend the winter in a sheltered place wrapped up in a silken cocoon. They emerge as adults in late spring and are now capable of flight.

Lacewings seek dry, cool refuges such as garden sheds, garages and other outbuildings. They are common in farm buildings. Lacewing lodges are ideal.

Bats take lacewings in flight and birds eat larvae and adults.

Mostly common but absent from Scotland and the far north.

After sucking the juices out of aphids, the larvae of the green species of lacewing toss the remains onto their bristly backs. These stick to the bristles and serve as camouflage (although covering one’s body with such popular prey is not always a good idea)!

One species, Chrysoperla carnea is green in spring and summer but changes to a fleshy, redder colour to blend in better with leaf colour in autumn!

Lacewings are more often seen at night than in the day. They are attracted to lighted windows from May to August. A low energy outside light will attract lacewings as well as moths. Floodlights get very hot and are likely to fry them. Lacewings are very delicate and should not be handled. They are often seen in sheds in autumn. They can be left there to shelter in peace and will do no harm.