Meet the Green Lacewing: A Tiny Hero in Your Landscape

March's Beneficial Bug Highlight - Green Lacewing

Here in the Treasure Coast of Florida, where vibrant landscapes and lush ornamental plants are a big part of our lifestyle, maintaining a healthy, pest-free lawn is essential—but how we do it matters just as much. Not all bugs are bad news in our area. One little insect we love to highlight — and encourage our clients to welcome — is the green lacewing (Chrysopidae family), one of the most underrated allies in our fight against damaging pests. Delicate, almost fairy-like in appearance, these beneficial insects play a mighty role in maintaining balance in your lawn and ornamental gardens.

Meet the Green Lacewing

Green lacewings are slender, soft-bodied insects that are known for their beautiful, shimmering, lacy, almost transparent wings, and striking golden eyes; but their real value lies in their appetite — especially during their larval stage.

While the adults feed on nectar, pollen, and honeydew, it’s their larvae that do the real heavy lifting when it comes to pest control. Often referred to as “aphid lions,” lacewing larvae are voracious predators, feeding on common plant pests like aphids, mealybugs, thrips, whiteflies, scale insects, and even small caterpillars. In fact, a single lacewing larva can consume hundreds of aphids in its short lifetime, usually over the course of its 2-3 week feeding frenzy!

Why They're a Blessing for Your Landscape

By helping control these soft-bodied pests naturally, green lacewings reduce the need for chemical interventions, making them a wonderful ally for anyone practicing eco-conscious or organic gardening. They work quietly and efficiently behind the scenes, contributing to a healthier, more resilient landscape.

We are always committed to balancing effectiveness with environmental responsibility, we see the green lacewing as beneficial insects that help:

• Reduce pest populations naturally, without disrupting the ecosystem.

• Protect pollinators like bees and butterflies, which are often harmed by broad-spectrum pesticides.

• Support soil and plant health by keeping infestations in check without leaving harmful residues behind.

• Encourage biodiversity, which is the cornerstone of a thriving, resilient landscape.

How We Support Lacewing Activity

Encouraging lacewings in your yard can be as simple as planting nectar-rich flowers like dill, cosmos, or yarrow, and minimizing broad-spectrum pesticide use. At Greenland Environmental, we take pride in working with nature — not against it. Part of our integrated pest management approach is protecting beneficial insects like the green lacewing, which in turn help keep your lawn and ornamentals thriving.

We’re careful to:

• Use selective treatments that won’t harm helpful bugs.

• Educate our clients about the benefits of biological control.

• Recommend companion planting and habitat-friendly practices that support lacewing reproduction and survival.

💚 A Greener Way to Control Pests

The green lacewing is just one example of how nature provides the tools we need to care for our lawns sustainably. By working with—rather than against—the environment, we can create beautiful outdoor spaces that are as healthy as they are vibrant.

If you ever spot one of these delicate winged wonders in your landscape, consider it a good omen: your lawn is on the right track.