Pearly Green Lacewing

The Pearly Green Lacewing has a green body, pearly blue-green wings with black veins and several black markings on its head, thorax and under the abdomen. The second antennal segment is black and the main distinguishing feature is the pale roundish spot between the eyes. In winter they turn from green to pale yellow.

They can be found all year round, preferring cool and shady areas, including deciduous woods, woodland edges, scrubby grassland and hedgerows. They are usually seen between May and August. The adults hibernate in the winter.

They are fearsome predators, with adults primarily feeding on aphids but also flower nectar. The larvae are also predators, feeding on Aphids, scale insect species and caterpillars.

The females usually lay their eggs near aphid colonies.

It is common and widespread in most of England, Wales and southern Scotland.