Gauteng Smallholder December/ January 2018 | Page 35

INSECTS
A bug that feeds on the bad bugs
S
mallholders tend to fret
about insects that
threaten their crops,
livestock, pets, gardens or
humans. However, there are
insects which we should
befriend, because they prey
on other insects that are
pests.
Lacewing
Lacewings are just such a
family of predators and the
Yellow, Green and Brown
lacewings are most common
in Gauteng.
The green lacewing, some-
times known as the golden-
eyed lacewing, has long
delicate antennae, a slender
greenish body,
golden- or
copper-
coloured eyes,
and two pairs
of similar
veined wings.
It is worldwide
in distribution
and flies near
grasses and
shrubs.
Adults have
elongated
bodies
reminiscent of
dragonflies,
but they have four wings
which each have many veins,
which give them the netlike
or "lace" appearance.
Larvae have different body
shapes and are similar in
appearance to ladybug larvae
but have very large mandi-
bles. Several families are
found within the order, but
most of the pest controllers
are located within the
Chrysopidae family.
Green lacewings have a 3 cm
body and their wings have no
markings.
Ceratochrysa antica are
yellow and slightly larger than
the green lacewing. Their
wings also have no markings.
Chrysemosa jeanneli are
smaller than the green
lacewings with grey bodies
and grey wings. They have a
distinctive black spot on the
mid hind margin of their
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wings, which meet up when
their wings are at rest.
Lacewings lay their pale
green oblong eggs on the tips
of threadlike stalks attached
to plants. The immature
lacewings hatch within a few
days.
Lacewing larvae are reddish
cream in colour and are
tapered in shape. They have
distinct legs, and have
prominent mouth parts used
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