Lacewing
Predator
Lacewings are delicate insects with an outsized role in natural pest control. Adult green lacewings often visit flowers, while their fierce larvae patrol leaves for aphids and other small prey. They are useful allies in borders, greenhouses and vegetable plots, particularly where young plants attract colonies of sap-sucking insects.
How to identify it
Adult green lacewings are about 10-20 mm long, pale green with translucent, finely veined wings and conspicuous golden eyes. Brown lacewings are darker but similarly delicate. Females often lay tiny oval eggs individually on slender stalks beneath leaves. The grey, brown or cream larvae are 4-10 mm long, flattened and sickle-jawed. After feeding, they spin a small silken cocoon and pupate before emerging as adults.
How it helps your garden
Lacewing larvae eat aphids greedily and may also take mites, thrips, small caterpillars, whitefly eggs and other soft-bodied insects. They help protect roses, peppers, beans, brassicas and greenhouse plants without disrupting other wildlife. Adults also visit flowers for nectar and pollen, contributing modestly to pollination while finding places to lay eggs near prey.
How to attract it
Grow long-season, single flowers such as alyssum, coriander, dill, angelica, yarrow and calendula, choosing RHS Plants for Pollinators where suitable. Keep some evergreen shrubs, leaf litter, hollow stems and dry crevices for shelter. Avoid pesticides and broad tidy-ups that remove eggs or cocoons. A diverse planting scheme with aphids at low levels gives females food cues and suitable nursery sites.
Tips
Check leaf undersides for stalked lacewing eggs before pruning or wiping pest colonies. The larvae can look odd but are beneficial hunters, so leave them where they are. Maintain flowering companion plants near crops to support adults between aphid outbreaks.
Lacewing: frequently asked questions
How does lacewing help the garden?
Lacewing larvae eat aphids greedily and may also take mites, thrips, small caterpillars, whitefly eggs and other soft-bodied insects.
How do I attract lacewing to my garden?
Grow long-season, single flowers such as alyssum, coriander, dill, angelica, yarrow and calendula, choosing RHS Plants for Pollinators where suitable.
How do I identify lacewing?
Adult green lacewings are about 10-20 mm long, pale green with translucent, finely veined wings and conspicuous golden eyes.
General guidance for encouraging wildlife in UK gardens. Page updated 19 Sep 2026.