Identification
• Brown lacewings resemble green lacewings, but are smaller and brown-colored.
• The larvae resemble green lacewing larvae but do not carry trash on their backs.

Host range
• Brown lacewings are predatory as adults and larvae and feed on aphids, scales, spider mites, and other soft-bodied arthropods.

Life cycle
• They have complete metamorphosis. Eggs are laid on plants and are unstalked. The larvae are active and roam about looking for prey. Pupation is in a loose cocoon in a protected place.

Other information
• Brown lacewings are found in more wooded areas than green lacewings and are often less common.
• They are highly prized as predators, mostly because some species appear to be adapted to cool conditions. Brown lacewings may be important in keeping pest numbers low early in the growing season.