They feed on aphids and small bugs and the larvae has a pair of short sickle-shaped jaws (antlions).
Most of the Lacewing family come in beautiful colors. Their wings seem so fragile like those of the dragonfly.
They are of medium, about 2 inches in length.
It looks like a dragon fly crossed with a grasshopper. I have never seen a lacewing, Joan. Stunning photos. Thanks for sharing.And thanks for visiting my post. No we didn't have rusks with our coffee (nothing like it in the local supermarkets) We had a fruity digestive cookie instead.
ReplyDeleteThey do come in beautiful colours Joan and some nice shots how come summer hasent come to Joburg yet :)
ReplyDeleteLOL!! A good description Jo. You should have made the rusks yourself. I have two very easy recipes if you want them? :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Philip. You are always a few weeks behind, even the other side of the mountain here. Pretoria is divided by a small mountain and I have measured up to 10 degrees difference in the temps on each side.
ReplyDeleteSo antlions are larvae! I didn't know that, how interesting. Those wings are so pretty, they look very delicate. Thanks for posting how big they are, I was wondering that. Awesome shots Joan :)
ReplyDeleteThe details are amazing! Great macro shots.
ReplyDeleteRegarding your comment: I'm thinking of the big monitor lizard, so the iguana is smaller.
Thanks for the heads up. I will be on the lookout for them around here as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks Wendy. There is so much I have learnt about these insects over the last few years which is interesting. How is it possible that something so pretty can be so ugly as a larvae? :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Jose. Did you see the Water and/or Rock Monitor / Leguan when in Mala Male? Including the tail it is about 3 foot/1 meter. I like to compare but unfortunately pictures cannot tell sizes. :)
ReplyDeleteSorry, they keep on changing names of these things, like our birds, so I put them all in as I do not know which ones you call it. :)
You are welcome Jonker. They will come and fly around an outside light too at night. You might also have one there which is a lovely green.
ReplyDeleteI am always amazed on how you can get all these bugs to cooperate long enough for you to get a shot of them.
ReplyDeleteWhen ever I try, they just want to play and keep jumping on the lens.
I can see from your excellent close ups why they are called Lacywings. i am not sure beautiful should be used with bugs, handsome might be better. but i did freak out when you said if flies IN your bedroom. do not want one in my bedroom for sure. i would freak out.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting bug. We have many weird looking bugs in Hong Kong but this one is so different.
ReplyDeleteMarvelous pattern behind those clear wings. Summer coming for you means winter for me. I'm not too excited about that.
ReplyDeleteIf they feed on aphids they could be an interesting insect to breed for biological control.
ReplyDeleteGreat Pictures,anyway.
2 inches is medium?? People are so entomophobic around here, that even one inch is considered large.
ReplyDeleteAmazing detail on that medium creature.
Interesting Joan!
ReplyDeleteThe ant-lion do exist in our area, but I was not aware that they emerges so early. Being a child, dropping ants in doodlebug pits was a great fun for me.
Just call me the Bug Whisperer Mike. :) Maybe if you talk to them they will co-operate more. LOL!! After all, people keep on telling me to talk to my plants and thtey definitely do not have ears like bugs have. :)
ReplyDeleteLOL!! A lot of people feel as you do about bugs Sandra but during the time I have had my blog, I think I have changed quite a few peoples minds about them so maybe I can change yours too. They are fascinating critters. :)
ReplyDeleteYou should have these too Friend of HK. That one bug you posted recently certainly is like nothing we have here and it is fascinating for me to see them so keep posting please. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Gaelyn. I don't think anyone can be excited about winter, most of all me. :)
ReplyDeleteYou are right about that Andrea and I wonder why they dont? The larvae (antlions) make short work of ants in the area too so in all its stages, it is quite useful to have around.
ReplyDeleteYes, I guess large and small are something each person has different ideas about, especially when it comes to bugs but there are so pretty and usefull, how could one not like them, no matter what the size?
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of a story. Many years ago when my son was in school they had a competition. The driver of a car had to be blinfolded and the passenger had to guide them through obsticles. Try it and see if their "a little to the left/right" is the same as yours. LOL!!
I used to drop ants in them too in order to show them to clients who were with me. :) SO many people have seen the holes they make but do not know what makes them.
ReplyDeleteAmazing colors...your shot is so detailed...wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary. It is so nice seeing them again.
ReplyDeleteI can where it got its name...glad you are heading into your summer..sorry we are heading out of ours....Michelle
ReplyDeleteWhat a fragile looking insect. I'm so glad for you that summer is forth coming!
ReplyDeleteB.
Love your Spanish proverb!
Each year I look out for the sign that nature gives out to say summer is approaching. Thanks Michelle.
ReplyDeleteThey are Becky. The wings seem so light, I wonder how they can ever fly with them.
ReplyDelete