Green lacewings
Chrysopidae
Other
Family-level entry for the delicate green-winged insects whose larvae - the "aphid lions" - are voracious generalist predators of aphids, mites, thrips, whiteflies, scales, mealybugs, and other soft-bodied pests, making them one of the most important native biological-control insects in the vegetable and perennial garden. The adults are crepuscular or nocturnal and feed largely on nectar, pollen, and aphid honeydew, so they depend on flowering insectary plants for the carbohydrate and protein that fuel egg-laying; a few genera (notably Chrysopa) keep predatory adults. Because the larvae hunt the same aphids the adults rely on for honeydew, a planting that offers both umbel and composite flowers and a tolerated aphid population sustains a resident, reproducing population rather than a one-time visit.
Plan for this species
Location-fit plant set for Chicago, IL: host and specialist plants first, then nectar, fruit, seed, foliage, and shelter plants that still fit the current and mid-century climate read.
0 essential relationships / 6 supporting plants
Host/specialist links: 0
Forage/pollination links: 6
Shelter links: 0
Relationship roles: 1
Anise hyssop
Supporting / Nectar plants
Boneset
Supporting / Nectar plants
Cilantro
Supporting / Nectar plants
Common yarrow
Supporting / Nectar plants
Cosmos
Supporting / Nectar plants
Dill
Supporting / Nectar plants
Plants in the catalog
Nectar plants · 11
Adult lacewings nectar at the accessible corymbs; their larvae are voracious aphid predators.
Foliage plants · 1
Green lacewing larvae are generalist predators that hunt aphids and other soft-bodied insects, including the aphids and adelgids that feed on fir foliage; they forage over and shelter in conifer canopies. Graded plausible - the tie is to the prey on the tree rather than to the fir itself, and a wind-pollinated conifer offers no nectar reward.
Range
Cosmopolitan family; the common genera Chrysoperla and Chrysopa are widespread across North America, with roughly 85 species on the continent.
Sources & citations
Cite this page
Use this citation for the Plotwright wildlife record. Use the source cards below to explore the references that informed its taxonomy, range, conservation, host plants, foraging, and habitat.
Plotwright. (n.d.). Green lacewings (Chrysopidae). Retrieved 2026, August 20, from https://plotwright.com/wildlife/green-lacewings
Sources used for this record
This record is compiled from the sources below.
Wikipedia: Chrysopidae
Family reference for green lacewing taxonomy, larval aphid-lion predation, adult pollen/nectar/honeydew feeding, biological-control use, and Apiaceae/Asteraceae attraction.
GBIF: Chrysopidae
GBIF backbone entry for the family Chrysopidae, corroborating family-level taxonomy and its cosmopolitan occurrence range.
iNaturalist: Chrysopidae
iNaturalist family taxon page for Chrysopidae, corroborating family identity and observed North American range.
Xerces Society: Planting for Helpful Predators
Xerces Society garden guidance on green lacewings as aphid-eating natural enemies and the insectary flower plantings that sustain nectar-feeding and pollen-feeding adults.