Lacewings (genus Chrysopa)

Chrysoperla

They and their larvae, gobble up Aphids (genus Aphis) as though there were no tomorrow. If you find lacewings indoors during autumn and winter; leave them to over-winter in your home.

Lacewing eggs are normally laid on thin sticks. Eggs laid on thin sticks is believed that it helps to prevent cannibalism. Lacewing larvae are active predators.

Green Lacewing (genus Chrysopa) Larvae are most effective in humid areas including greenhouses and interior gardens. They are considered a very good natural control of a number of insects, including:

• Aphids (Greenfly) & Gnats (Blackfly)
• Spider mites and Red mites
• Thrips, whiteflies, long-tailed mealybugs
• Eggs of leafhoppers, moths and leafminers
• Small caterpillars, beetle larvae and tobacco budworms

Greenflies

Aphids (greenflies) are sucking insects which draw great quantities of sap, causing leaves and stems to become distorted. This distorted growth may be mistaken as herbicide injury. Some plant sap is excreted as honeydew, which makes the plant sticky. Sidewalks, cars, and patio furniture may become wet with honeydew. A sooty mold often grows in the honeydew and blackens stems, leaves and any other surface. Aphids may transmit plant pathogens.

Blackfly Gnat

There are over 1,800 known species of black flies (of which 11 are extinct). Most species belong to the immense genus Simulium. Most black flies gain nourishment by feeding on the blood of other animals, although the males feed mainly on nectar. They are usually small, black or gray, with short legs, and antennae. They are a common nuisance for humans.

A very special disease caused by gnats is a special kind of paralysis starting at the ankle level and progressing to knee level. This is due to the toxins secreted by the bug which many times keeps attached to the host body.

Lacewing Eggs

After a few days, the eggs hatch and tiny larvae emerge which are also known as" aphid lions" because of their voracious appetite. The larvae have sickle-shaped jaws (mandibles) with which they pierce prey and suck out body juices. Adults have chewing mouthparts. Adults are poor fliers, active at night and feed on pollen, nectar and honeydew (the exudate of aphids and other sucking insects). Some species are predaceous as adults to a limited extent.

The larvae, called "aphid lions", are extremely carnivorous and predaceous on many soft-bodied insects and mites, including insect eggs, thrips, mealybugs, immature whiteflies and small caterpillars. Larvae have sickle-shaped jaws that contain tubes with which they can inject prey with a paralyzing venom and then suck out the body fluids. They can consume over 200 aphids or other prey per week. There is no other better predator known to consume vast quantities of eggs and the soft bodies of aphids, mealy-bugs, spider mites, leafhopper nymphs, caterpillar eggs, scales, thrips, and white-flies. The lacewing larvae attack the eggs of most pests and, if the bodies are not to hard and fast moving, will attack the adult pest stage as well.

For more information, visit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuroptera

http://www.earthlife.net/insects/aphids.html