Green Lacewing larvae are aggressive, broad-spectrum biological pest control agents, consuming aphids, whiteflies, mites, thrips, mealybugs, scale, small caterpillars, and other soft-bodied pests at a rate of up to 50 aphids per day. Available as eggs in rice hulls, eggs on hanging cards, larvae, or adults. Each option is suited to a different stage of pest management. Safe for people, pets, and edible plants. IPM compatible.
Known to gardeners as the "Aphid Lion”, green lacewing larvae are an extremely versatile biological pest control agent. A single larva can eliminate up to 50 aphids a day, and aphids are just the beginning. Whether you're managing an active infestation or building long-term protection into your growing space, there's a lacewing option suitable for what you need.
What Are Green Lacewings?
Green lacewings (Chrysoperla rufilabris) are a powerful general predator widely used in integrated pest management programs. In their larval stage, they have a voracious appetite, actively targeting a wide range of soft-bodied pests over 2–4 weeks. Adults transition to feeding on pollen, honeydew, and nectar. In doing so, adults help pollinate your garden while seeking out pest populations to lay their eggs near. Females can lay up to 200 eggs in their lifetime!
What Pests Do Green Lacewings Control?
Larvae (predatory stage):
- Aphids
- Whiteflies
- Spider Mites
- Thrips
- Mealybugs
- Scale (crawlers)
- Small Caterpillars
- Psyllids
- Many other soft-bodied insects and their eggs
Adults: Feed on pollen, honeydew, and nectar. Not predatory, but contributes to garden health and population establishment.
How Green Lacewings Work
Green lacewings are available in four forms, each suited to a different pest management need:
Eggs in Rice Hulls — Preventative Care / Light Infestation
Eggs are mixed into rice hulls and dispensed into hanging boxes, which protect them from predators and prevent larvae from preying on each other at hatch. Eggs hatch in 7–14 days at temperatures above 70°F.
Best for: preventative programs and light pest pressure where you want a steady hatch over time.
Eggs on Hanging Cards — Preventative Care / Light Infestation
Pre-loaded hanging cards make placement simple. Hang directly on plant limbs, out of direct sunlight. Same hatch timeline as rice hull eggs: 7–14 days at 70°F+.
Best for: easy, mess-free preventative deployment across multiple plants.
Larvae — Active Infestations
Larvae are warm-stored and ready to hunt immediately. They hatch and begin feeding within 3–5 days (significantly faster than eggs) and resemble tiny alligators with brown or grey stripes and a humpbacked body. Each larva can consume up to 50 aphids per day during its 2–3 week predatory stage.
Best for: responding to active, established infestations where fast results matter.
Adults — Population Establishment in Large Areas
Adults are bright green with slender bodies and distinctive copper-colored eyes. They live 4–6 weeks, pollinating your garden and actively seeking out pest populations to lay their eggs near, creating a self-sustaining biological control cycle. Adults are not predatory themselves, but their egg-laying behavior seeds future larval predator populations.
Best for: establishing a long-term predator presence across large growing areas.
Application Instructions
Eggs in Rice Hulls
- Gently disperse eggs and rice hulls into the included hanging boxes.
- Hang boxes on infested plant limbs, out of direct sunlight.
Hanging boxes included by quantity:
| Quantity | Hanging Boxes Included |
| 1,000 | 5 Boxes |
| 2,500 | 5 Boxes |
| 5,000 | 10 Boxes |
| 10,000 | 15 Boxes |
| 100,000 | 100 Boxes |
Eggs on Hanging Cards
- Hang cards directly on an infested or target plant limb.
- Keep out of direct sunlight.
Larvae
- Release immediately upon receipt for best results.
- Gently disperse larvae evenly across the infested plant.
- Leave the container near the infested plant to allow any remaining larvae to make their way out.
Adults
- Release immediately upon receipt for best results.
- Release in the morning or evening.
- Remove the lid and gently tap the container to release.
- Use the included cardboard insert to regulate the release rate across the target area.
Application Rates
| Format | Rate | Frequency |
| Eggs | 1 per sq. ft. | Monthly, as needed |
| Larvae | 1 per sq. ft. | Bi-weekly, 3-5 times |
| Adults | 1 per 10 sq. ft. / 5,000 per acre | As needed |
Storage
| Format | Storage Temperature | Max Storage | Notes |
| Eggs | 39-46°F | 48 hours | Hatching can take 7-14 days when kept at +70°F. For best results, hatch eggs inside packaging to ensure viability and to keep safe from ants. Introduce near pest populations, out of direct sunlight. Eggs turn grey when ready to hatch. |
| Larvae | 70°F+ | 24 hours | Displays cannibalistic behavior. Incubated and ready to hatch upon arrival (or shortly after), avoiding the 7-14 day wait for eggs to hatch. |
| Adults | Do Not Store | Introduce Immediately | Delicate shipping. Introduce when temperatures are cooler. |
Pro Tips
- Use larvae when you need fast results. They're warm-stored and begin feeding within days, much quicker than hatching from eggs.
- Eggs are the most cost-effective format for preventative programs. Deploy on hanging cards or in rice hull boxes before pest pressure builds.
- Adults work best for large-scale population establishment; pair with an egg or larval release for a multi-stage approach.
- Avoid applying alongside broad-spectrum insecticides, which are harmful to lacewings at all life stages. Check chemical compatibility before combining treatments.
- For heavy aphid infestations, consider pairing with Aphidius colemani or Aphidoletes aphidimyza for complementary aphid control strategies.
Safe, Natural Pest Control
- 100% natural — no synthetic chemicals
- Safe around people and pets
- Safe for edible plants and food gardens
- Compatible with IPM (Integrated Pest Management) programs
- Leaves no residue
- No protective equipment required