[Eric Vinje]

Hi Chantel –

Lacewing larvae vigorously attack their prey, injecting a paralyzing venom then drawing out the body fluids of the victim. Besides aphids, they feed on citrus mealybugs, cottony cushion scale, spider mites, thrips, young caterpillars, insect eggs, etc. Larvae will devour up to 200 pest insects per week and are known to be cannibalistic if no other food source is available. Lacewing are shipped as eggs packaged in a carrier of rice hulls. Use 1,000 eggs per 2,500 square feet (50 x 50 foot area), as close as possible to pest infested areas.

Newly hatched lacewing larvae are about 1/8″ long, gray-green in color, and live on the undersides of plant leaves. Because they are so difficult to find after they hatch, we recommend placing the container/ vial on top of your refrigerator, or some place consistently warm, to speed their hatch. Check them every day and as soon as you see movement release them. Keep in mind, that lacewing larvae are very cannibalistic, so you do not want to wait after you see movement.

RELEASE INSTRUCTIONS

1.) Apply when a few tiny (1/32nd of an inch) larvae are seen moving about the container.
2.) Gently turn and shake the container to mix the contents.
3.) Spread the material evenly over the pest infested area.
4.) A second release, two weeks later, may be necessary.

Tip: Ants feed on the honeydew that sucking insects (aphids, mealybugs, thrips) produce and will vigorously protect these pests from their natural enemies. If possible, control ants prior to release.

Note: Most growers experienced with using beneficial insects prefer lacewing to ladybugs as they tend to stick around longer — they do not fly off!

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