Green Lacewing

Green lacewings are delicate insects with pale green bodies and large, clear wings that have detailed patterns of veins. They have noticeable golden or copper-coloured eyes. Adult lacewings usually measure between 15 and 20 millimetres long, and when resting, they hold their wings folded over their bodies like a tent. They have long, thin antennae and fly in a weak, fluttering way. Green lacewings are found widely across the UK and are also common throughout Europe, Asia, and North America. They live in gardens, hedgerows, the edges of woodlands, and meadows where there are plenty of aphids. Adult lacewings are mostly active at night and are often drawn to lights. The larvae, which are sometimes called aphid lions, are hungry predators with curved, sharp jaws. Many species spend the winter as adults, often finding shelter inside buildings where they might be seen during mild weather.