What is a lacewing?
Q: What is a lacewing?
A: A lacewing is an insect in the large family Chrysopidae of the order Neuroptera. There are about 85 genera and (differing between sources) 1,300–2,000 species in this widespread group. However, in America and Europe, the two genera Chrysopa and Chrysoperla are very common.
Q: How do adult lacewings defend themselves?
A: Many adults of Chrysopa can defend themselves by giving out a vile smell from glands at the front of their thorax. They have 'ears' at the base of their front wings which allow them to detect bat echolocation sounds so they can close their wings and drop down to avoid being eaten.
Q: How do lacewings escape spider webs?
A: Lacewings are able to escape spider webs because they are so light that they do not create much vibration to alert the spider. Instead of struggling like most insects, the lacewing bites through the strands holding its legs and antennae. When it is stuck only by its wings, it become completely immobile then slowly slides downwards out of the web due to tiny hairs on its wings preventing sticky spider silk from touching its surface.
Q: What does a larva lacewing eat?
A: The larvae of a lacewing are voracious predators attacking other insects of suitable size such as aphids, caterpillars and other insect larvae or eggs when they touch them with their maxillae which injects a digestive secretion into the prey that can dissolve organs within 90 seconds.
Q: Where can you find Lacewings?
A: Lacewings can be found all over world but especially in America and Europe where two genera Chrysopa and Chrysoperla are very common.
Q: Are there many species of Lacwings?
A: Yes there are about 85 genera with 1,300–2,000 species making up this widespread group worldwide.
