These Delicate Lacewings Can Destroy Thousands of Aphids

Garden Betty

They aren’t called aphid lions for nothing! Lacewings are known for being very aggressive in the garden, but luckily, they’re on your side.

They have a voracious appetite for aphids and other insects, and will happily destroy an entire population of pests—saving your plants while maintaining the natural balance in your garden.

Want to attract more lacewings and make sure they stick around? Here’s how.

The best way to attract an abundance of lacewings to your garden is to grow an abundance of flowers that bloom from spring through fall when they’re active.

Lacewings love the nectar-rich Asteraceae family (such as coreopsis and sunflowers) and the Apiaceae family when it’s flowering (such as dill and parsley—which is all the more reason to allow your plants to bolt).

They prefer simple flowers that have “landing pads” and easy access to nectar and pollen.

Lacewings actually love all the same flowers as most of the other beneficial insects in your garden, so if you already grow them for bees, hoverflies, and other pollinators, you’re all set.

An important thing to remember, when buying flowers from a nursery or starting them from seed, is to make sure they’re free of neonicotinoids. These systemic insecticides harm good bugs along with the bad ones, so double-check with the nursery or seed supplier that their plants and seeds have never been treated with neonics.

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Garden Betty