- Brown lacewing adults are pale brown with oval shaped wings covered in small hairs just over 1/2 inch in length. Lacewing larvae resemble tiny alligators and both adults and larvae have strong mandibles for attacking their prey.
- Unlike the green lacewing, the brown lacewing is predatory as an adult as well as in the larval form. They are mostly active at night and are aggressive predators of most greenhouse pests. Brown lacewings can tolerate cool temperatures and establish themselves in a greenhouse. The larvae can consume up to 80 aphids each day!
- The female lacewing lays her eggs in the lower leaves. Each female lays around 100-150 eggs during their lifetime. Optimal conditions are between 59-79F with a relative humidity greater than 30%, but they are active within a very wide temperature range (39-88F).
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Release Rate: Preventive 0.1/100 ft2 , High 10/100ft2 as needed.
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If release is not possible nearly immediately upon arrival of the lacewing eggs, because of weather conditions, for example, the eggs can be stored at no lower than 50°F (10°C) for up to 48 hours. To minimize egg mortality, humidity should be approximately 75%. Warmer temperatures will speed up larval emergence, but the eggs should not be held at more than 80°F (26°C).
When targeting caterpillars, lacewing used in conjunction with Trichogramma wasps (see Caterpillar Control) can be very effective. Since Trichogramma attack only the egg stage, the lacewing offers a second line of defense; it feeds on eggs and young caterpillars.
