On my recent prairie outings, I ran across a couple of Green Lacewings (Family Chrysopidae). These insects are quite common, often seen on weeds and tall grasses. They range in size from 3/8″ to 3/4″. Their name comes from their anatomy … 4 pale green, oval wings. One of the striking things of these interesting insects is their prominent eyes, which are typically a bright golden or coppery color.
An interesting fact about the lacewings: their small, flat larvae are sometimes called “aphid lions”, due to preying on aphids (and other soft-bodied insects) … hmmm, a real gardener’s friend! Here are a couple of my favorite shots:
