Biological Control Strategies Using Green Lacewings

Green lacewings (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) are polyphagous predators whose larvae consume a broad spectrum of soft-bodied pests, including aphids, thrips, whiteflies and mites. Their efficacy hinges on the deployment of both conservation and augmentative strategies. Conservation approaches encompass habitat manipulation to provide floral resources, shelter and alternative prey; augmentative tactics involve mass rearing and periodic release of lacewing larvae or adults. Mass-rearing protocols often incorporate factitious prey or supplemental diets to optimise developmental rates, fecundity and survival. Landscape diversification through cover crops and flower strips sustains adult longevity and reproduction by offering nectar and pollen. In greenhouse and field trials, integrated deployment of lacewings has reduced pest densities to below economic thresholds, contributing to reduced pesticide inputs and enhanced crop resilience. Recent advances have refined release rates, timing and dietary regimens to maximise control in diverse agroecosystems, from open-field vegetables to protected crops. Implementation at the farm level demands alignment with integrated pest management principles, ensuring lacewing populations are supported by ecological infrastructures that bridge crops and non-crop habitats.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent investigations have revealed that strategic selection and density of floral plantings can enhance lacewing community richness and persistence. Experiments comparing single-crop and mixed-crop flower arrangements showed that sulphur cosmos and specific intercrop mixes attracted higher abundances of Chrysopidae and other key predator families. Predator population dynamics were closely linked to plant phenology, with highest lacewing activity coinciding with peak bloom. These findings demonstrate the potential of tailored floral diversification to maintain robust lacewing assemblages in agricultural landscapes.

Biological Control Strategies Using Green Lacewings publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in biological control strategies using green lacewings across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Biological control: Use of living organisms to suppress pest populations to economically acceptable levels.

Factitious prey: Non-natural or substitute food sources provided during mass rearing of beneficial insects.

Flower strips: Deliberate plantings of nectar- and pollen-rich species to support natural enemies.

Integrated pest management (IPM): A coordinated approach combining cultural, biological and, where necessary, chemical tactics to control pests sustainably.

Functional response: The relationship between prey density and the rate at which a predator consumes prey.

References

1. Lifecycle Completion and Reproductive Improvement of Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), Following a Prey Shift Routine During Larval Development. Biology (2024).
2. Effect of Cosmos, Crotalaria, Foeniculum, and Canavalia species, single-cropped or mixes, on the community of predatory arthropods. Scientific Reports (2022).
3. Using flower strips to promote green lacewings to control cabbage insect pests. Journal of Pest Science (2021).
4. Assessment of Chrysoperla comanche (Banks) and Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) as Biological Control Agents of Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) under Glasshouse Conditions. Insects (2020).
5. Biological control of mealybugs with lacewing larvae is affected by the presence and type of supplemental prey. BioControl (2016).