GREEN LACEWING EGGS FACT SHEET & Release Instructions
(Chrysopa rufilabris)
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)
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Green Lacewing Eggs on Cards:
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Green Lacewing "Ready to Go" Larvae:
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