Any of a group of insects found throughout the world. Lacewings take their name from the intricate veining of their two pairs of semitransparent wings. They have narrow bodies and long thin antennae. The larvae (called aphid lions) are predators, especially on aphids. (Families Hemerobiidae (brown lacewings) and Chrysopidae (green lacewings), order Neuroptera.)
The eggs of the golden-eye lacewing (
Chrysopa aculata) are laid on the ends of plant stalks.
© RM 2009. Helicon Publishing is division of RM.