LACEWING

any of many species of neuropteran insects, especially those in the green lacewing family Chrysopidae and in the brown lacewing family Hemerobiidae, of the order Neuroptera. The green lacewing, sometimes known as the golden-eyed lacewing, has long delicate antennae, a slender greenish body, golden- or copper-coloured eyes, and two pairs of similar veined wings. It is worldwide in distribution and flies near grasses and shrubs. The lacewing is also known as a stinkfly because it emits a disagreeable odour as a protective device. The female green lacewing secretes slender stalks and deposits one egg on top of each stalk; this prevents the larvae from devouring unhatched eggs. The larva has prominent sucking mouthparts and well-developed legs. The larva, often called an aphidlion, captures and drains body fluids from aphids and other soft-bodied insects. After about two weeks of continuous feeding, the larva spins a silken, pearl-sized cocoon on the underside of a leaf and remains in the pupal case approximately two weeks. The brown lacewing resembles the green lacewing but is smaller in size, brown in colour, may have dark spots on the wings, and does not secrete stalks for its eggs. Some lacewing larvae hold debris (including the bodies of their victims) on their backs with hooks or bristles; this camouflage allows the lacewing larva to surprise its victims and also protects it from enemies.