Green Lacewing Eggs in Rice Hulls - Chrysoperla rufilabris
How To Say It: kriss-oh-PER-luh roo-fih-LAB-ris
Nature's aphid lions offer a broad range of pest control
If aphids, whiteflies, thrips, or spider mites are getting the upper hand in your garden, green lacewing eggs in rice hulls offer a natural, chemical-free path to relief. Chrysoperla rufilabris, commonly known as green lacewings, are best recognized in their larval stage for an appetite that's earned them the nickname "aphid lions."
Lacewing larvae are generalist predators that feed heavily on aphids but will just as readily take down many types of other garden pests. Unlike the adults, which feed mainly on nectar and pollen, it's the larval stage that does the hunting. Eggs are shipped in rice hulls to protect them in transit and ensure a healthy hatch, so the larvae emerge ready to start feeding right where you release them. They're an excellent choice for gardeners looking to tackle a broad range of pests with a single, sustainable release.
Pest Targets
- Aphids
- Whiteflies
- Spider mites
- Thrips
- Mealybugs
- Scale (crawlers)
- Small caterpillars
- Psyllids
- Many other insect eggs and immature or soft-bodied stages.
What Green Lacewings Are
Chrysoperla rufilabris is a common beneficial insect found throughout North American gardens. That long green bug with clear, veined wings hovering near a porch light at dusk, or the small green winged insect drifting across a patio in summer, is very likely an adult lacewing. The delicate, net-like wing pattern is where the name "lace wing" comes from. As a green flying bug with a slender body, it's harmless to people and pets. The larval stage looks nothing like the adult, instead it resembles a tiny brown-and-grey striped alligator.
Lacewing Life Cycle
Egg → larva → pupa → adult:
- Egg: Hatches in 7–14 days at 70°F+.
- Larva: The "aphid lion" predatory stage, active for 2–3 weeks.
- Pupa: A brief resting stage before the adult emerges.
- Adult: Feeds on pollen and nectar, can restart the cycle by laying eggs.
Temperature for Green Lacewing Eggs to Hatch
Lacewing metabolism speeds up dramatically in warm weather and slows to a crawl in the cold.
- Hot (80°F to 95°F): Eggs will hatch very rapidly, often in just 2 to 4 days.
- Moderate (70°F to 77°F): Expect them to take about 4 to 7 days.
- Cool (Under 68°F): Development stretches out to 7 to 14 days.
Temperature for Green Lacewing Larvae
Green lacewing larvae are active between 54-95°F, with peak activity in optimum temperatures of 59-82°F.
How to Tell When Green Lacewing Eggs Are Ready to Hatch
Instead of counting the days, watch their color.
- Bright Green / Yellow-Green: Freshly laid or still deeply incubating.
- Dark Gray / Lavender: Mature and ready to hatch. Release them immediately at the first sign of graying or when the first few tiny larvae begin to wiggle out.
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 |
Storage
Fresh eggs hatch within 7–14 days. Best hatched inside original packaging. Eggs turn grey shortly before hatching. If you are not able to release them right away, store in a cool, dark place, 50-60 °F for 48 hours. They should be released at the first sign of hatching
Application Method
- Gently distribute the eggs and rice hulls into the included hanging boxes.
- Hang boxes on infested plant limbs, out of direct sunlight.
Pairing & Compatibility
For full-canopy-to-root-zone coverage, above ground predators work the leaf surfaces, and soil-dwelling beneficials catch anything that drops into the growing medium.
Foliar Partners
- Amblyseius swirskii – thrips and whitefly eggs and nymphs
- Orius insidiosus (Minute Pirate Bug) – a generalist that hunts thrips at every life stage plus mites and aphid eggs
- Cryptolaemus montrouzieri (Mealybug Destroyer) – for heavier mealybug loads
- Aphidius colemani / Aphidius ervi – aphid parasitoids that lay eggs inside live aphids
- Lindorus lophanthae or Aphytis melinus – dedicated scale control, since lacewing larvae go after scale crawlers but aren't a full solution for established scale populations
- Trichogramma spp. – parasitizes moth eggs before they hatch
- Predatory mites - controls pest mites, including the two-spotted spider mite
- Ladybugs (Hippodamia convergens) - generalist predator for eggs and soft-bodied stages of pest insects
Soil-Dwelling Partners
Covering the pests where green lacewings don't reach
- Hypoaspis miles (Stratiolaelaps scimitus) – patrols the top layer of soil for fungus gnat larvae, thrips pupae, and other soil-stage pests
- Dalotia coriaria (Rove Beetle) – a fast-moving generalist in the growing medium
- Beneficial Nematodes (Sf) – target thrips pupae and fungus gnat larvae in the soil
Safe, Natural Pest Control
- 100% natural
- Safe around people/pets, safe for edible plants
- IPM-compatible
- No protective equipment required.
FAQs
What is a lacewing?
A lacewing is a common beneficial insect used in biological pest control. Only the larval stage actively hunts pests. Adults feed on pollen and nectar and lay eggs near aphid colonies.
Do lacewing larvae bite?
Lacewing larvae have small pincer-like mouthparts they use to grab prey, and they can pinch if handled directly, but they don't bite or sting people in any harmful way.
How long does the lacewing life cycle take?
Eggs typically hatch in 7–14 days at 70°F and above. Larvae then hunt for 2–3 weeks before pupating, and adults live another 4–6 weeks. A single generation can take roughly 6–8 weeks from egg to adult, depending on temperature.
Should I buy lacewing eggs, larvae, or adults?
Eggs are the more economical option for larger areas and work well for prevention or light pest pressure. Larvae are hatched upon or shortly after delivery. Adults do not eat pests, instead, they lay eggs near pest population and the larvae will start feeding after hatching.
Why didn't my lacewing adults control my pest problem?
Adults feed on flower pollen and nectar, not on pests. Green lacewing adults establish a new population by laying eggs near pest activity, so control comes once those eggs hatch into larvae. For pest control, choose larvae or eggs instead.