Showing posts with label Red Lacewing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Red Lacewing. Show all posts

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Red Lacewing (Dysochrysa furcata) family Chrysopidae

The first Lacewing has appeared and I am always pleased to see them asI know summer is well on its way. They usually fly into my bedroom as this is the only light which is on.
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.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Lacewing / Antlion - Red Lacewing (Dysochrysa furcata) family Chrysopidae

Sometimes called 'doodlebugs' - This antlion was not easy to get a photograph of as they disappear so easily once you start digging into their cone-shaped nest and look like this:

I am sure you have seen them in your garden.
The sides are built at a 45 degree angle and once the ant falls in, he cannot get out again. The larvae is extremely small, about 2-3mm.
Lacewing larvae are carnivorous and differ in appearance and habit, but all have elongated mouthparts modified for sucking out the fluids of their prey.
Their anus is sealed so that waste products of their diet can be stored until excreted as a white pellet after emergence.

They spin a spherical cocoon for pupation.