Insects of Southern Australian Broadacre Farming Systems - Grains ...

Lifecycle
Complete metamorphosis.
The females of many green lacewing species lay their
eggs on the end of thin stalks. These may be attached
to wood, leaves or other plant parts. Female brown
lacewings lay eggs directly on vegetation. After hatching,
larvae moult on average three times (sometimes four or
five depending on the species) before they spin a silken
cocoon in which they pupate.
Development is usually rapid (approx. three weeks for
brown lacewings at temperatures of 25-30°C), with
numbers most prevalent in spring and autumn when
large populations move to areas rich in prey. Many
species of lacewings go through several generations a
year.
Confused with/similar to
Lacewing adults can be distinguished from other
winged insects by the presence of numerous veins
and forked veins in wings. They can be confused with
dragonflies (Odonata) and stoneflies (Plecoptera)
but lacewings usually have longer antennae and
softer bodies than dragonflies. Lacewings can also be
confused with flying termites. Lacewings do not have
two thin processes (cerci) at the end of the body
(abdomen) as in stoneflies.
Distribution/habitat
Lacewings are common throughout most of Australia
and can be found in almost all habitats. They are common
on native vegetation, such as flowering eucalyptus, and
in house gardens. Their numbers increase where there is
an abundance of prey, such as aphids.
Pests attacked/impact on pests
Most larvae are active predators and have large sickleshaped
sucking jaws, which they use to catch small
insects and suck out their insides.
Brown lacewing larvae and adults are both predatory,
while only green lacewing larvae are predatory. Some
adults of lacewing species supplement their diet with
pollen and are omnivorous.
Predatory lacewings prefer sap-sucking insects such
as aphids, mites, scale insects and moth eggs, but as
generalists they will eat a wide range of prey.
Ute Guides, Southern (pp.137-138)/ Western (pp.113-114)
Lacewing larvae are easily distinguished by the
prominent jaws at the front of their head that take up
almost all of the head region. Green lacewing larvae
commonly cover themselves in debris and the bodies of
their prey as camouflage.
SECTION 4 COMMON Pest, Beneficial AND EXOTIC Species
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Insects of Southern Australian Broadacre Farming Systems Identification Manual and Education Resource © 2012