GREEN LACEWING EGGS FACT SHEET & Release Instructions

Looking like tiny "alligators", lacewing larvae voraciously attack almost any prey they can grab, using pincer-like jaws. After injecting a paralyzing venom, they suck the body fluids from their helpless victim. During the 2-3 weeks it takes lacewings to develop through the larval stage, they'll eat up to 200 aphids or other insect eggs, larvae, and adults a week, growing up to 1/2" long in the process. Then, they spin a silky cocoon, pupate a few days, and hatch into a beautiful yet fragile, light green adult lacewing with large, shiny eyes. Adults range in size from 1/2-3/4" long, and feed only on honeydew, nectar, and pollen. Adults live 4-6 weeks during which time females lay up to 200 eggs. Lacewing eggs are "planted" on foliage at the ends of short filaments, apparently as a means of protection. In a few days, more lacewing larvae hatch out (also known as "aphid lions").

Lacewing eggs ship as freshly laid green eggs, 1000 to a small cup, mixed with rice hulls to give them space. If some of the eggs are turning grey or you see any microscopic movement, it means they're starting to hatch, and you should release them immediately. If there's no activity yet, leave the containers at room temperature until movement is seen. Lacewing larvae are grey-brown in color and very tiny when just hatched, so you may need a magnifying glass to see them. For best results, release the lacewing eggs and larvae in your garden soon after hatching. Lacewing eggs come with a quantity of previously frozen moth eggs as a food source for the hatching larvae, but if this runs out before they're released, larvae turn to cannibalism.

Eggs and larvae can be hand sprinkled wherever desired. Even if you put them in the wrong place, they'll search almost 100 feet for their first meal. One way to distribute lacewing eggs and larvae is with a pill bottle with a small 1/8 - 1/4" hole in the cap. If it's inconvenient to release them immediately, lacewing eggs may be refrigerated for a few days at 38-45¡ F. to delay hatching, but be careful not to freeze them.

Typical lacewing release rates range from 5000 - 50,000 eggs per acre, depending on infestation levels. You can't apply too many. It's best to start early in the season with a relatively low number of lacewings, then make repeat releases every 2-3 weeks, increasing quantities as more pests appear. Once the peak pest infestation period has passed, releases can be decreased and eventually stopped. Nectar, pollen, and honeydew sources such as an assortment of flowering plants or Beneficial Insect Food help stimulate adult lacewings to lay eggs. Lacewings should be reintroduced in the spring, as they overwinter with difficulty.

Order NOW Green Lacewing Eggs (Chrysopa species)

1,000 / $13.99

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4,000 / $31.20

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Green Lacewing Eggs on Cards:

1,000 / $13.99

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2,500 / $26.99

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5,000 / $38.99

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Green Lacewing "Ready to Go" Larvae:

1,000 / $36.99

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