Beneficial Lacewings: Nature’s Pest Control Allies
Introduction
Broad spectrum pesticides can be harmful to beneficial insects, such as lacewings. Lacewings are voracious predators of soft-bodied pests that can damage plants. By creating a welcoming habitat for lacewings in your garden, you can harness their natural pest control abilities and reduce the need for harmful chemicals.
Lacewing Life Cycle
Lacewings complete their life cycle in about four weeks. Adult lacewings lay eggs, which hatch into tiny, alligator-like larvae. The larvae feed on aphids, mealybugs, and other pests, undergoing three stages of growth (instars) in just a few weeks. After the final instar, the larvae spin cocoons and emerge as adult lacewings.
Identifying Lacewings
Adult lacewings are easily recognizable by their delicate, lacy green wings and bottle green bodies. However, their eggs and larvae can be mistaken for other insects. Lacewing eggs are tiny and white, attached to leaves by fine filaments. The larvae have large, fierce jaws, brownish coloring with red stripes and spots, and rough skin.
Creating a Lacewing Larvae Habitat
Lacewings prefer gardens with a variety of plants, as they feed on nectar and pollen from blooming flowers. They are also attracted to the honeydew produced by aphids and other pests. To create an ideal habitat for lacewings, consider planting a variety of flowering plants, herbs, and vegetables. Avoid using broad spectrum pesticides, as they can harm lacewings and other beneficial insects.
Attracting Lacewings to Your Garden
To attract lacewings to your garden, you can purchase lacewing eggs or adults. If you purchase eggs, release them when temperatures are at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The recommended distribution is one larva for every 50 pests in slow-growing crops or one larva for every ten pests in fast-growing crops.
Benefits of Lacewings in the Garden
Lacewing larvae are voracious eaters, consuming their body weight in pests each day. They are particularly effective at controlling aphids, mealybugs, and other soft-bodied insects. By releasing lacewings into your garden, you can reduce the need for chemical pesticides and promote a healthier ecosystem.
Additional Tips for Encouraging Lacewings
- Provide a water source for adult lacewings.
- Allow some aphids and other pests to remain in your garden to provide food for lacewing larvae.
- Avoid disturbing lacewing eggs and larvae.
- Plant a variety of flowering plants to attract adult lacewings.
- Consider using companion planting techniques to attract lacewings and other beneficial insects.
By following these tips, you can create a welcoming habitat for lacewings in your garden and enjoy the benefits of their natural pest control abilities.
