Green Lacewing vs Pacific Brown Lacewing

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Green Lacewing Pacific Brown Lacewing
Scientific Name Chrysoperla carnea Hemerobius pacificus
Order Neuroptera Neuroptera
Family Chrysopidae Hemerobiidae
Size 12-20 mm body, 30 mm wingspan 10-14 mm wingspan
Habitat Farmland Forests
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Worldwide Western North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Green Lacewing

Delicate green insects with lace-like wings and golden eyes. Larvae are ferocious predators nicknamed "aphid lions." Widely used in biological pest control.

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Did You Know?

Lacewing larvae are such effective predators they are nicknamed "aphid lions" — a single larva can devour 200 aphids per week during its development.

Pacific Brown Lacewing

A brown lacewing native to western North America found in coniferous forests. Important natural enemy of hemlock and spruce adelgids.

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Did You Know?

It is being studied as a potential biocontrol agent against the invasive hemlock woolly adelgid.