Friends of the flowers

Having never seen one before, when our first Lacewing came into the garden, I was a little bemused as to what it was. A bright green body with stunning lace-like wings, veined with a turquoise pattern, they really had my attention. I am glad I did my research before considering it a pest, as Lacewings are voracious feeders on Aphids, a real pest which has plagued my plants and flowers more recently.

"Lacewings are common insects in British gardens and are easy to recognise by their transparent lace-like wings, which are nearly twice as long as the abdomen. Lacewing larvae are voracious consumers of aphids and insect eggs.

Lacewings can be encouraged to remain in your garden by providing homes for their winter hibernation, which can be bought from some garden centres. They will be ready to lay eggs and help to control your aphids when they emerge from hibernation in the spring."

http://www.royensoc.co.uk/insect_info/what/lacewings.htm

Lacewing eggs are formed individually in hardened sacks, which are suspended on a stalk which safeguards them from predation. Once hatched the younglings feed ferociously on Aphids and other such like garden pests.

I will make sure that there are plenty of bug houses ready for this winter, in the hope of helping these new found friends in readiness for next spring!

Eggs picture from http://www.evergreengrowers.com/green-lacewing-eggs.html accessed 14/06/2015.