Brown lacewing

The adults and larvae of brown lacewings are both predatory. Adults are up to 6-10 mm long, mottled brown with long antennae and a fluttering style of flight. The wings are folded over the abdomen in an inverted ‘V’ shape and have numerous veins, giving a lacy appearance. Larvae are up to 5 mm long and have protruding sickle-shaped mouthparts and a tapering body that is longer and thinner than the green lacewing. They attack a wide range of important pests, including moth larvae and eggs, aphids, thrips and mites. Brown lacewing eggs are laid singly on the underside of leaves.