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Reference · Pests

Brown lacewings

Brown lacewings (Hemerobiidae) belong to the order Neuroptera. Unlike agricultural pests, these insects are highly beneficial predators found in a wide variety of habitats, including orchards, forests, and commercial crop fields, where they perform vital ecosystem services.

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Austromicromus Austromicromus Boriomyia Boriomyia Boriomyia concinnus Boriomyia concinnus Boriomyia nervosa Boriomyia nervosa Brown lacewing Boriomyia subnebulosa Brown lacewing Hemerobius Brown lacewing Micromus Drepanepteryx Drepanepteryx Drepanepteryx phalaenoides Drepanepteryx phalaenoides Hemerobius humulinus Hemerobius humulinus Hemerobius lutescens Hemerobius lutescens Hemerobius micans Hemerobius micans Hemerobius nitidulus Hemerobius nitidulus Hemerobius stigma Hemerobius stigma Hemerobius stigmaterus Hemerobius stigmaterus Megalomus Megalomus Micromus angulatus Micromus angulatus Micromus posticus Micromus posticus Micromus sauteri Micromus sauteri Micromus subanticus Micromus subanticus Micromus timidus Micromus timidus Pacific brown lacewing Hemerobius pacificus Sympherobius Sympherobius Sympherobius amicus Sympherobius amicus Sympherobius barberi Sympherobius barberi Sympherobius inconspicuus Sympherobius inconspicuus Sympherobius pygmaeus Sympherobius pygmaeus Sympherobius sanctus Sympherobius sanctus Tasmanian brown lacewing Micromus tasmaniae Variegated brown lacewing Micromus variegatus Wesmaelius Wesmaelius Wesmaelius malladai Wesmaelius malladai Wesmaelius nervosus Wesmaelius nervosus Wesmaelius quadrifasciatus Wesmaelius quadrifasciatus

Brown lacewings

The family consists of several genera that are well-adapted to diverse environmental conditions. Their primary food sources include aphids, mealybugs, whiteflies, and other soft-bodied insects. Both adult and larval stages are active hunters, making them effective biocontrol agents.

The life cycle follows a complete metamorphosis pattern: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The larval stage is particularly predatory; these larvae possess specialized, sickle-shaped mouthparts designed to grasp prey and extract fluids. This feeding behavior significantly reduces the population density of harmful pests.

In terms of agricultural impact, Hemerobiidae are essential for integrated pest management (IPM). They provide natural suppression of pest outbreaks, often acting as the first line of defense before human intervention is required, which helps maintain ecological balance.

Protection strategies focus on habitat conservation and pesticide reduction. To support brown lacewing populations, farmers should avoid the indiscriminate use of broad-spectrum insecticides. Integrating cover crops or maintaining field margins can provide necessary shelter and alternative prey for these predators to thrive during the growing season.