Lacewing larvae - Chrysoperla carnea

What Are Aphids & How Do I Identify Them?

Aphid is a name for a large group of insects, many of which can cause serious damage to plants. They extract sap from plants causing a reduction in plant growth, reduced yields, and sometimes defoliation. Aphids can also secrete toxic substances into the plants. The Aphids take proteins from the sap and then excrete the excess sugar left in the sap back onto plants. This causes a sticky mess on the leaves, which black molds often grow on.

Aphids are soft bodied and often shed white skins onto leaves. Adult Aphids can be green, yellow, pink, black, grey or brown.

What Are Lacewing Larvae & How Can They Help?

Chrysoperla carnea is the Latin name for the species of Lacewing used for the biological control of Aphids. The larvae of these Lacewing are highly effective predators of Aphids (also known as Greenfly & Blackfly). One Lacewing larvae can consume up to 200 aphids. Our Lacewing larvae are at the 2nd instar stage and will be effective predators for your infestations.

Once the Lacewings have developed into adulthood they will no longer feed on the Aphids but will instead serve as useful pollinators for your garden. Lacewing larvae will also feed on Leafhoppers, Glasshouse Thrips (Greenhouse Thrips / Black Tea Thrips), Clover Mites & more insect pests.

Where Should I Use Lacewing larvae?

Lacewing larvae can be used to treat plants both inside and outside, in a variety of environments permitting they match the temperature conditions required by the larvae.

What Conditions Do The Lacewing Larvae Require?

Apply Lacewings only when temperatures are above 15℃. Activity will increase with higher temperatures.

When Should I Use Lacewing Larvae?

For indoor use of Lacewing larvae they should be released from March to September.

For outdoor use of Lacewing larvae they should be released from May to September.

How Do I Apply Lacewing larvae?

The larvae are supplied in a buckwheat husk carrier material, with some food. This prevents the larvae from feeding on each other while in transit.

The best way to apply your Lacewing larvae is to apply them directly onto Aphid colonies. Lacewing larvae are easy to apply to low growing crops or plants with wide leaves and can be poured from the shaker bottle directly onto the Aphids.

If applying to high growing crops or plants, use our Distribution Boxes. These little boxes can be filled with Lacewing larvae and carrier material directly from the applicator bottle. They can then be hung onto stems or leaves of your plants. The larvae will then emerge out of the applicator boxes onto the plants. 

Full instructions will be provided on delivery.

How Many Lacewing Larvae Do I Need?

Apply the Lacewing larvae at around 10-30 per square metre. Apply higher quantities onto areas of plants suffering from higher infestations of Aphids.

Once the larvae develop into adults they do not feed on Aphids, so repeat applications of larvae may be required for new or larger infestations.

Chemical Pesticides

Lacewing larvae are living creatures and can be affected by any chemical pesticides used within the previous few weeks. As a general guide, refrain from using Natural Pyrethrum or SB Plant Invigorator 2 days prior to use. Other chemical insecticides can have long lasting residues that could harm the Lacewing larvae and other predators for much longer periods. Refrain from using these products or check with Dragonfli for information on the effect of these products on our predators.