Green lacewings

Definition

Members of the family Chrysopidae (order Neuroptera), a diverse group of predatory insects recognized by their delicate, highly veined membranous wings, long filiform antennae, and often golden compound eyes. Adults and larvae are both predatory, with larvae—known as aphid lions—being particularly voracious biocontrol agents of soft-bodied pests. The family comprises approximately 85 genera and 1,300–2,000 species worldwide, with Chrysopa and Chrysoperla among the most frequently encountered genera in North America and Europe.

Etymology

Common name refers to the pale green body coloration and the lace-like appearance of the reticulate wing venation; family name Chrysopidae from Greek chrysos (gold) and ops (eye), alluding to the metallic golden eyes of many species.

Example

Chrysoperla carnea, a common green lacewing in European agroecosystems, is mass-reared for augmentative biological control of aphids in greenhouse vegetable production.

Synonyms

• Chrysopidae
• common lacewings

Related Terms

• Neuroptera
• aphid lion
• Brown lacewings
• Biological control
• reticulate venation
• holometabolous

Usage Notes

The term 'green lacewings' is preferred over simply 'lacewings' because most Neuroptera are technically lacewings in some form; 'common lacewings' is an acceptable alternative. In nonscientific literature, assignment to genera Chrysopa versus Chrysoperla is often unreliable due to historical taxonomic instability and their morphological similarity. Distinguished from brown lacewings (family Hemerobiidae) by generally larger size, brighter green coloration, and more elaborate wing venation with crossveins forming a characteristic 'chrysopid' pattern.