[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]t this time of year one species of Lacewing (Chrysoperla carnea) is looking for a place to hibernate. This is the only species of lacewing which spends the winter as an adult insect, and it sometimes sneaks into houses in an effort to escape the cold outside temperatures.
Once inside a strange reaction occurs. Their bodies change colour from bright green to pink! This isn't a sudden colour change, like say a chameleon. It takes a few days, but it is a total change. Even the veins on their wings turn pink.
Why this happens is a bit of a mystery. I've read that this occurs due to the colder temperatures of autumn and the shorter days, but if this is the case then why would it happen inside heated buildings with electric lighting?
Another theory is that it's a camouflage thing to blend in with the autumn foliage colours, but again inside houses this is a bit useless. Perhaps it's just a genetic-body-clock-thingumabob (stop me if I'm getting too technical) because when mating time comes around in spring they change back to green again.
If you're a gardener you'll know that lacewings are valuable insects to have around as their larvae spend all day eating aphids. So if you have any Lacewings staying with you this winter be sure to look after them.
Scientific name: Chrysopidae
Size: Approx 2 to 3cm long
Distribution: Found throughout the UK
Months seen: April to October
Life span: Up to 10 months
Habitat: Most areas including parks, gardens, woodland edges, hedgerows and meadows
Food: Small insects, especially aphids
Special features: Green Lacewings get their name from their delicate lace-like wings which are held roof-like over the body.
They have green coloured bodies, long, thin, green antennae, and gold coloured eyes.
Green Lacewings hibernate as adults, and one species, Chrysoperla carnea will readily come into houses in autumn. At hibernation time their bodies change from pale green to a dull pink colour.
Both the adults and their larvae feed on aphids, greenfly and other small insects, so they are an ideal insect to have in the garden. The lacewing larvae frequently put the remains of their victims onto their own backs. This acts as camouflage, allowing the larvae to sneak up on more prey. These insects are so good at hunting aphids that they are reared for biological pest control.
The eggs are laid on hair-like stalks on leaves and stems, often in large groups.
There are at least 14 different species of Green Lacewing in the UK.
Sat Nov 10, 2012 9:08 am
