- Common Name: Brown Lacewing
- General Category: Predator
- Taxonomic Classification: Neuroptera: Hemerobiidae
- Scientific Name: Several species
Description
Like green lacewings, brown lacewings are predators of aphids as well as other small, soft-bodied arthropods such as mites, mealybugs and caterpillars. The adults and larvae are always predacious and the larvae are sometimes referred to as aphid lions.
Identification
Review the images for tips on how to identify these predators.Adults
Brown color with wings smaller than green lacewings and semi-transparent net-like wings. Veins on front of forewing are forked, compared to those of green lacewings which are straight. Long, thick antennae. Appear superficially like caddisfly adults, but brown lacewings have shorter legs, well-developed mouthparts, and the forked wing veins.
Larvae
Narrow, worm-like bodies strongly tapered at both ends. Short, tubular pincer-like jaws.
Eggs
Unlike green lacewing eggs, brown lacewing eggs are not laid on stalks.
