Green lacewings for natural pest control - aphids, spider mites and more.

Description

Green lacewings are generalist predators that attack many plant pests. They help control aphids, thrips, spider mites, whitefly, mealybugs, scale, leafhoppers, caterpillars and most soft-bodied insects, making them a grower favorite. Lacewing larvae can devour over 200 pests a week during their 2-3 week life stage. 

Green lacewing larvae are alligator shaped, often referred to as 'aphid lions'. Because of their nocturnal behavior, they are hard to detect in the crop. Lacewing larvae are tiny upon emerging from the egg, but grow to 3/8 of an inch long.Green lacewing adults feed only on pollen and nectar only.

We offer both Chrysoperla rufilabris and Chrysoperla carnea. They differ in habitat preferences. Carnea are versatile, living in a wide range of habitats, but thriving in dry/hot field conditions and rufilabris preferring warm/humid environments like greenhouse and orchards.  Carnea are only offered in 1k larvae, all other lacewings are rufilabris.

Of all available commercial predators, lacewings are the most voracious and have the greatest versatility for pests in greenhouses, field crops and landscapes, making them a top choice as a biological control agent. Use lacewing eggs for an affordable biocontrol option, lacewing larvae for immediate pest infestations and adults for establishing a population in a greenhouse or conservatory setting as part of an organic IPM plan.

Application Rates

Larvae

1-5 larvae/sq. ft. weekly or as needed. 

Adults

0.25/sq. ft. 

Eggs

5-25/sq. ft. 

Release Instructions

Eggs on cards

• Carefully tear or cut the segments along the perforations
• Hang cards throughout the crop, protected from sunlight if possible
• Eggs will turn from green to gray before hatching
• Control ants as they will feed on the eggs

Loose eggs in rice hulls

• Eggs may be hatching upon arrival, but if not, hold for a few days and watch for larvae. During summer months larvae will emerge sooner.
• Rotate the bottle gently upon arrival to distribute the eggs evenly. 
• To release, sprinkle the contents of the container over the targeted plants, but go slowly to ensure they don't all go in one spot. 
• Misting foliage before release may help the eggs to stick. 
  

Larvae in rice hulls or hexcel

• Always release larvae the same day as arrival.
• Sprinkle larvae over the target area onto the foliage.
• For the hexcel, pre-fed larvae are still developing inside the individual cells. Peel back one side of the material an inch at a time and tap the larvae onto the target area. Next peel off the back side and keep in the crop for the remaining larvae to crawl out.
• Do not cold store the larvae.
•  See all release instructions here. 

If release is not possible upon receipt, because of weather conditions for example, the eggs can be stored at no lower than 50°F for up to 48 hours. To minimize egg mortality, humidity should be approximately 75%. Warmer temperatures will speed up larval emergence, do not store in the heat. Lacewing larvae are versatile predators and an important part of many IPM programs. Shipped fresh and quality guaranteed. 

Green Lacewing Tech Sheet pdf

Orders for Green Lacewings must be received by noon on Friday for shipment the following week. Larva hex cells orders must be in by 10am on Thursday.  If the deadline is past, please call us and we will help you find a solution ASAP. (360) 656-6680