Green lacewings

Taxonomy

Domain	Eukarya
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Arthropoda
Subphylum	Hexapoda
Class	Insecta
Subclass	Pterygota
Infraclass	Neoptera
Superorder	Neuropterida
Order	Neuroptera
Suborder	Hemerobiiformia
Family	Chrysopidae
Subfamily	Chrysopinae
Tribe	Chrysopini

Scientific Name

Chrysoperla

Common Name

green lacewings

As a biological control

Green lacewings (Chrysoperla spp.) are general predators of a wide variety of insects, including aphids, and soft-bodied insect larvae. The most common species sold is Chrysoperla rufilabris, a native of southeastern US mostly associated with trees/shrubs, and C. carnea, a native western species found most commonly in agricultural settings. Chrysoperla comanche is also sold. They are one of the most widely available insects used in biological control, functioning as a sort of general predators. They are usually sold as eggs, most often mixed with a carrier such as rice hulls to be sprinkled around plants. Some suppliers apply the eggs to cards that can be hung on plants. Less commonly adults, or pupae shipped in cells, may also be purchased. Shipped insects should be released soon after receipt as the larvae are cannibalistic and eggs should not be chilled. Ants are an important predator of the eggs and may disrupt the effectiveness of a release if abundant. Adults are not predatory but feed on nectar and pollen.

Commercial Suppliers

Chrysoperla rufilabris Company State Country A-1 Unique Insect Control CA USA American Insectaries, Inc. CA USA The Beneficial Insect Co. NC USA BioLogic Company PA USA Gardens Alive IN USA Great Lakes IPM, Inc. MI USA The Green Spot Ltd. NH USA Harmony Farm Supply and Nursery CA USA Integrated Fertility Management WA USA IPM Laboratories, Inc. NY USA MR Durango, Inc. Insectary CO USA Nature Insect Control (NIC) ON Canada Planet Natural MT USA Rincon-Vitova Insectaries, Inc. CA USA Territorial Seed Company OR USA

Chrysoperla carnea Company State Country A-1 Unique Insect Control CA USA American Insectaries, Inc. CA USA The Bug Factory, Ltd. BC Canada Buglogical Control Systems AZ USA Crop King OH USA Great Lakes IPM, Inc. MI USA Harmony Farm Supply and Nursery CA USA Hydro-Gardens CO USA Integrated Fertility Management WA USA Koppert Biological Systems MI USA Nature Insect Control (NIC) ON Canada Park Seed Co. SC USA Plant Products Co. Ltd. OH USA Rincon-Vitova Insectaries, Inc. CA USA Syngenta Bioline, Inc. CA USA Biobest Biological Systems ON Canada

Chrysoperla comanche Company State Country Harmony Farm Supply and Nursery CA USA Integrated Fertility Management WA USA

Unspecified Chrysoperla spp. Company State Country ARBICO Organics AZ USA Beneficial Insectary CA USA Biofac Crop Care TX USA Buglogical Control Systems AZ USA Evergreen Growers Supply OR USA Extremely Green Gardening Company MA USA Greenfire CA USA Green Home CA USA Heaths Organic Pest Control, Greenhouse, and Nursery NH USA IPM Laboratories, Inc. NY USA Kunafin Trichogramma Insectaries TX USA Natural Pest Controls CA USA Peaceful Valley Farm Supply CA USA Planet Natural MT USA Tip Top Bio-Control CA USA EcoSolutions, Inc. FL USA