Lacewing Life Cycle

The common green lacewing (Chrysoperla rufilabris), an extreme predator, benefits the garden by consuming many nuisance insects. Numerous species share basic hunting and life cycle characteristics. Each lacewing has two sets of clear wings that lie flat against its body. The insect's torso appears long and slender in shades of green or brown.

  1. Eggs

    • The female lacewing will lay 400 to 500 eggs that she will suspend onto plant foliage on threadlike stalks, according to Virginia Tech. Eggs are either laid in cluster fashion or singularly depending on the lacewing species. Eggs appear oval shaped. When the eggs are first laid they are a light green in color but over the course of several days they begin to turn gray.

    Larvae

    • Larvae emerge in three to six days from the eggs, according to the Cornell University. The entire cycle of egg to larvae to adult is achieved in only 37 to 60 days. The larvae stage lasts approximately one to two weeks. The larvae function as extreme predators which kill their prey when they feel contact. The larvae inject enzymes into their prey using their mouths. Once the prey is injected they begin to be digested from the chemicals so the larvae can suck the body contents in and consume it.

    Pupae

    • The larvae form into pupae to complete their final metamorphosis to adult lacewings. If the pupae stage is reached late in the season then the pupae will over winter and emerge as adults in the spring, according to the University of Kentucky Entomology. Once an adult the lacewing will mate and begin the cycle all over again.

    Self Survival

    • In the larva form the lacewing has a voracious appetite and enjoys feeding virtually non-stop. In its quest for food the larva often becomes the prey of other predator insects such as larger lacewings, spiders and ladybugs. In an effort to survive the larva will take debris from its prey and surroundings to camouflage its body.

    Adults

    • Most species of adult lacewings are also predators that feed on the same prey they did as larvae. They especially enjoy aphids and are often called "aphid lions" due to their affinity for the insects. The lacewings do not bite or sting humans. They are sold online and at garden centers for release into the garden as a beneficial insect that preys on pest insects.