Green Lacewing Larvae - Chrysoperla rufilabris
How To Say It: kriss-oh-PER-luh roo-fih-LAB-ris
Already hatched and hungry. Pest control that starts on release day.
Need fast, active pest control? Green lacewing larvae, nicknamed "aphid lions," arrive hatched and ready to hunt. Release them straight onto affected plants and they go to work on aphids, whiteflies, mites, thrips, and other soft-bodied pests.
While the green lacewing eggs are economical for prevention or light pest pressure, they come with a wait. Depending on temperature, eggs take anywhere from a few days to two weeks to hatch. Larvae skip the waiting stage. There's no incubation, no watching for color changes, and no guessing when the hatch will happen. With green lacewing larvae, you get the predatory stage, ready to go.
What Green Lacewing Larvae Are
The larva is the hunting stage of the green lacewing, a beneficial insect common across North America. The adults are the delicate green insects with lacy, see-through wings you might notice near porch lights on summer evenings. The larvae look nothing like their parents. They're small, flattened, grey-brown and striped, and built like miniature alligators, with a pair of curved, pincer-like jaws out front. They're harmless to people, pets, and plants.
Pest Targets
- Aphids
- Whiteflies
- Spider mites
- Thrips
- Mealybugs
- Scale (crawlers)
- Small caterpillars
- Psyllids
- Many other insect eggs and immature or soft-bodied stages
How Lacewing Larvae Hunt
Lacewing larvae are active, roaming generalists. They don't wait for prey. They crawl leaf to leaf and seize pests with their hollow jaws. Because they eat such a wide range of soft-bodied insects and eggs, one release can knock back several pest problems at once. They're also competitive with each other. When prey runs short, larvae will turn on one another, so spreading them evenly across your plants gets you the most coverage and the most pest control.
When to Use Larvae
- Active infestations: pests are visible and damage is already showing
- Hot spots: a single plant or bed that needs targeted, immediate help
- Cooler conditions: eggs hatch slowly below 68°F, while larvae stay active down to 54°F
-
Kick-starting a program: release larvae for immediate knockdown, then follow with eggs for ongoing waves of control
Where Larvae Fit in the Life Cycle
Egg → larva → pupa → adult.
The larval stage is the only one that eats pests, lasting roughly 2–3 weeks before the larva spins a cocoon and pupates. Adults emerge feeding on nectar and pollen, and they can lay eggs near pest colonies to start a new generation.
Temperature Range
Green lacewing larvae are active between 54–95°F, with peak activity at 59–82°F.
Application Rates
These are general starting points. Actual application should be adjusted based on pest pressure, pest species, plant type, and infestation severity.
| Pest Pressure | Rate | Frequency |
| Light | 1 insect per sq. ft. | Monthly |
| Moderate | 1 insect per sq. ft. | Bi-weekly |
| Heavy | 1 insect per sq. ft. | Weekly, as needed |
Release Instructions
- Release on the day your order arrives. Larvae are shipped ready to work and are not meant to be held.
- Open the container and gently sprinkle the larvae and carrier material over infested leaves, focusing on pest colonies.
- Spread them across multiple plants or areas rather than releasing all of them in one spot.
- Set the open container at the base of, or inside, an infested plant so any remaining larvae can crawl out on their own.
Pairing & Compatibility
Lacewing larvae cover a lot of ground above the soil, but no single predator covers every pest in every zone. Pairing them with specialists and soil-dwellers closes the gaps.
Foliar Partners
- Green Lacewing Eggs (Hanging Cards or Rice Hulls): follow up a larval release with eggs to keep new hunters hatching in the weeks ahead
- Amblyseius swirskii: thrips and whitefly eggs and nymphs
- Orius insidiosus (Minute Pirate Bug): hunts thrips at every life stage, plus mites and aphid eggs
- Cryptolaemus montrouzieri (Mealybug Destroyer): for heavier mealybug infestations
- Aphidius colemani / Aphidius ervi: aphid parasitoids that lay their eggs inside live aphids
- Lindorus lophanthae or Aphytis melinus: dedicated scale control, since lacewing larvae take scale crawlers but won't clear established scale
-
Trichogramma spp.: parasitizes moth eggs before they hatch into caterpillars
Predatory mites: pest mite control, including the two-spotted spider mite - Ladybugs (Hippodamia convergens): generalist predator for pest eggs and soft-bodied stages
Soil-Dwelling Partners
- Hypoaspis miles (Stratiolaelaps scimitus): works the top layer of soil for fungus gnat larvae and thrips pupae
- Dalotia coriaria (Rove Beetle): a fast-moving generalist in the growing medium
- Beneficial Nematodes (Sf): target thrips pupae and fungus gnat larvae below the surface
Safe, Sustainable Pest Management
- 100% natural
- Safe around people and pets, and safe for edible plants
- IPM-compatible
- No protective equipment required
Storage
Larvae are best released immediately and are not suited to storage. Unfed larvae will begin eating each other in the container. If a short delay can't be avoided, keep the container cool and out of direct sunlight and release as soon as possible.
FAQs
Why choose larvae instead of lacewing eggs?
Larvae start hunting as soon as they're released, while eggs need days to weeks to hatch depending on temperature. Choose larvae when pests are already causing damage, and eggs for prevention or ongoing coverage over larger areas.
How fast do lacewing larvae start working?
Right away. They're already in their predatory stage when they arrive and begin searching for prey once released onto your plants.
Do lacewing larvae bite?
Their pincer-like jaws are made for grabbing small insects. They may give a slight pinch if handled, but they don't sting and aren't harmful to people.
Why can't I see the larvae after releasing them?
Lacewing larvae are small, well camouflaged, and constantly on the move, often on the undersides of leaves. Fewer visible pests over the following days is the best sign they're working.
Will ants interfere with lacewing larvae?
Ants often "farm" aphids for their honeydew and will defend colonies from predators. If ants are active on your plants, control them before or alongside your release for best results.