Chrysoperla carnea - common green lacewing

Chrysoperla carnea is known as the common green lacewing. It is common in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The 12- to 20-mm long adult is light green and has copper-colored eyes. Each egg is laid on foliage at the end of a slender stalk of silk. The larvae are predators of small insects such as aphids. The larvae pupate in silken cocoons on the undersides of leaves. The adults feed on pollen and honeydew.

Order: Neuroptera
Family: Chrysopidae
Species: Chrysoperla carnea

Photograph: © 2010 RKD Peterson
Date of Photograph: 6 September 2010
Location: Bozeman, Montana (45o43’41”N  111o08’11”W)

 

lacewing larva

Green lacewing larva feeding on aphid. © 2007 RKD Peterson