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Green lacewing (Chrysoperla carnea)

Description

Chrysoperla carnea, commonly called green lacewing or aphid lion, is a small insect native to Canada, belonging to the Neuroptera family.

Adults are delicate insects, 2 cm long. They are pale green, with translucent oval wings and long antennae. The eggs are laid on plants, generally near aphid colonies. Each egg is attached to a thin stem (pedicel) 1 cm long. The larvae are predatory, with strong mandibles (mouthparts) that enables them to seize their prey.

Adults are active at dusk and feed on pollen, flower nectar and aphid honeydew. Their larvae on the other hand feed on thrips, whiteflies, moths, beetles, eggs, small larvae, mealy bugs, psyllids, and mites. These little monsters have large hollow hooked jaws that pierce into the prey on contact and secrete digestive enzymes that melts it into its exoskeleton, sucking up the prey’s body juice.

The number of lacewings needed for effective control depends on the pest population and climatic conditions.These insects are extremely effective under certain conditions, especially in protected or enclosed areas such as a greenhouse.

Availability

Store

Commercial

Targeted crops

Cannabis
Ornemental crops
Cucumbers
Peppers

Targeted pests

Aphids
Whiteflies
Thrips
Soft-bodied insects (caterpillars and nymphs)
invertebrate eggs

Life cycle

The life cycle varies with temperature (4 weeks to 3 months).
The optimum conditions are a temperature of 20 ° C to 31 ° C and a relative humidity of 70%.
The eggs are laid on plants, generally near aphid colonies.
The females lay their eggs on the leaves near aphid colonies.
Larvae emerge from the eggs after 3 to 6 days.
One larva can consume 100 to 600 aphids during its development.
The larval stage lasts 15 to 20 days.
Pupation occurs on a leaf, the larvae built a small white cocoon hairy. Adults emerge from the cocoon after 10 to 14 days.

Formats

Containers

GL0046 - Chrysoperla carnea - 500 larvae
GL0047 - Chrysoperla carnea - 1000 Larvae
GL0042 - Chrysoperla carnea - 2000 eggs on jute yarn
GL0043 - Chrysoperla carnea - 2000 eggs (vial)

Introduction rate

Larval stage
Introduction	Quantity	Surface	Frequency	Duration
Low infestation	10 larvae	per m ²	per 14 days	as needed
Hot spot	50 larvae	per m ²	per 7 days	as needed

Egg stage
Introduction	Quantity	Surface	Frequency	Duration
Low infestation	50 eggs	per m ²	as needed	as needed

Product data sheet(s)

Green Lacewing (Chrysoperla carnea) Larvae

Green Lacewing (Chrysoperla carnea ) eggs

Additional information

Targeted pest

Targeted production

Did you know

Biological control as a scientific endeavor began more than 130 years ago (beginning in the 1880s).

Source : Encyclopedia of Insects (Vincent H. Resh et Ring T. Cardé, 2003)