Plants That Attract Lacewings

The Green Guardians: Understanding Lacewings in Your Garden

In the intricate ecosystem of a garden, a delicate balance exists between plants, pests, and the beneficial insects that help keep problematic populations in check. Among these unsung heroes, lacewings stand out as highly effective biological pest control agents. Known for their ethereal, net-veined wings and often striking golden eyes, lacewings are much more than just beautiful insects; they are voracious predators in their larval stage, making them invaluable allies for gardeners seeking sustainable pest management solutions.

What are Lacewings?

Lacewings belong to the order Neuroptera, encompassing a diverse group of insects. The most commonly recognized and beneficial types in gardens are the green lacewings (family Chrysopidae) and brown lacewings (family Hemerobiidae). Adult lacewings are typically nocturnal, with delicate bodies, long antennae, and distinctive, often iridescent, lacy wings. While adults may feed on nectar, pollen, and honeydew, it is their larval stage that earns them their reputation as fierce garden protectors.

Their Role as Pest Predators

Lacewing larvae, often called “aphid lions,” are formidable predators with a remarkable appetite for soft-bodied pests. Equipped with powerful, sickle-shaped jaws, they stalk and devour aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, thrips, whiteflies, and even small caterpillars and insect eggs. A single lacewing larva can consume hundreds of aphids during its development, making them incredibly efficient biological control agents. By understanding their life cycle and needs, gardeners can actively encourage lacewings to take up residence, transforming their garden into a thriving hub of natural pest suppression.

Why Attract Lacewings? The Benefits of Biological Pest Control

Integrating beneficial insects like lacewings into your garden strategy offers a multitude of advantages beyond simply reducing pest numbers. It fosters a healthier, more resilient garden environment that thrives on natural processes rather than relying on synthetic interventions.

Targeted Pest Control

Lacewings are highly effective against a broad spectrum of common garden pests. Their primary prey, aphids, are ubiquitous and can quickly decimate plant health. However, lacewing larvae are not picky and will also target other problematic insects. This broad appetite means that by attracting lacewings, gardeners gain natural protection against multiple pest threats simultaneously. Unlike broad-spectrum chemical pesticides, lacewings target specific pest populations, leaving other beneficial insects and the wider ecosystem unharmed.

Reduced Reliance on Chemical Pesticides

One of the most significant benefits of encouraging lacewings is the opportunity to minimize or eliminate the use of chemical pesticides. Pesticides, while effective at killing pests, often indiscriminately harm beneficial insects, disrupting the natural predator-prey balance and potentially leading to a resurgence of pests in the long run. By cultivating a lacewing-friendly environment, gardeners can embrace an organic approach, reducing chemical exposure to themselves, their families, pets, and the wider environment, including local waterways and pollinators.

Promoting Garden Biodiversity

A garden that supports lacewings is typically a garden rich in biodiversity. Attracting these insects requires a variety of plants that offer food sources (nectar, pollen, honeydew), shelter, and suitable egg-laying sites. This diversity not only benefits lacewings but also provides habitat and sustenance for other beneficial insects, pollinators, and wildlife, creating a more robust and self-sustaining ecosystem. A biodiverse garden is generally more resilient to pest outbreaks and environmental stresses, as natural checks and balances are firmly in place.

The Lacewing Life Cycle and Horticultural Needs

To effectively attract and retain lacewings in your garden, it is crucial to understand their complete life cycle. Each stage has distinct needs, and a truly lacewing-friendly garden will cater to all of them, ensuring continuous presence and effective pest control.

Adults: Nectar and Pollen Feeders

Adult green lacewings primarily feed on nectar, pollen, and honeydew (a sugary secretion produced by aphids). Brown lacewings, while still attracted to these, may also supplement their diet with small insects. The availability of these food sources is critical for adult lacewing survival, reproduction, and energy for flight. Plants that offer easily accessible nectar and pollen, particularly those with small, open flowers, are essential for sustaining adult populations and encouraging them to lay eggs in your garden.

Larvae: Voracious Predators

Female lacewings lay their distinctive eggs, often on silken stalks, near aphid colonies or other pest infestations. Once hatched, the larvae, sometimes called “aphid lions,” immediately begin their search for prey. They are incredibly active and will consume large numbers of soft-bodied insects as they grow through several instars. The presence of ample prey is paramount for larval development. Therefore, a successful lacewing strategy indirectly involves tolerating a low level of pest presence initially to ensure a food source for the growing larvae, or providing plants that are known to host these pests.

Overwintering and Shelter Needs

As temperatures drop in autumn, adult lacewings seek sheltered locations to overwinter. This can include leaf litter, dense shrubbery, hollow plant stems, cracks in tree bark, or even garden structures. Providing undisturbed areas with leaf mulch, native grasses, or perennial plants can offer crucial overwintering sites, encouraging a resident population to return in spring. Without suitable shelter, lacewings may disperse or succumb to harsh winter conditions, requiring new populations to migrate in each season.

Key Plant Characteristics That Attract Lacewings

Understanding the specific botanical features that appeal to lacewings is fundamental to designing an effective planting scheme. It’s not just about choosing the right species, but also considering the form and structure of the flowers and the overall plant habit.

Small, Accessible Flowers

Adult lacewings, with their relatively small mouthparts, prefer flowers that offer easily accessible nectar and pollen. This typically means flowers with a shallow corolla or those arranged in flat-topped clusters (umbels). Plants from the carrot family (Apiaceae), such as dill, fennel, and coriander, are particularly effective due to their characteristic umbrella-like flower heads. Other examples include members of the daisy family (Asteraceae) with exposed centers.

Continuous Bloom Period

To support lacewing populations throughout their active season (typically spring through fall), it is crucial to provide a continuous supply of nectar and pollen. This can be achieved through succession planting, where different plants are chosen to bloom at various times, ensuring there are always flowers available. Including a mix of annuals, perennials, and herbs with staggered bloom times will maintain a consistent food source for adult lacewings.

Shelter and Oviposition Sites

Beyond food, lacewings need places to rest, hide from predators, and lay their eggs. Plants with dense foliage, such as ornamental grasses, shrubs, or herbs with feathery leaves, can provide excellent shelter. Female lacewings often lay their eggs on the undersides of leaves or stems, particularly those with a texture that offers some protection or near potential prey. A diverse planting scheme with varying plant heights and structures will offer these essential resources.

Presence of Prey (Indirect Attraction)

While not a plant characteristic in itself, the presence of pest insects on plants is a primary driver for lacewing larvae. Adult lacewings are attracted to areas with high pest concentrations, as this signals a ready food source for their offspring. Therefore, a truly lacewing-friendly garden might include some plants that are known to attract specific pests (like roses for aphids, or brassicas for various caterpillars), ensuring that when lacewing larvae hatch, their food is immediately available. This highlights the importance of tolerating a low level of pest activity rather than aiming for complete eradication.

Top Plants for Attracting Adult Lacewings (Nectar & Pollen Sources)

Many plants are known for their ability to lure adult lacewings, primarily by providing abundant and accessible nectar and pollen. Integrating a variety of these plants into your garden design will create a continuous feast for these beneficial insects.

Dill (Anethum graveolens)

A classic choice for attracting beneficial insects, dill produces abundant clusters of tiny yellow flowers arranged in flat umbels. These structures make nectar and pollen highly accessible to lacewings and other small beneficials. Dill is also an excellent host plant for swallowtail butterfly caterpillars, adding to its ecological value.

Coriander/Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum)

Similar to dill, coriander (cilantro) produces delicate white to pale pink flowers in small umbels. Allowing some plants to bolt and flower provides a vital food source for adult lacewings, helping to sustain populations that will later prey on pests in your vegetable beds.

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)

With its distinctive licorice scent and tall, feathery foliage, fennel produces large, flat-topped yellow umbels that are a magnet for lacewings, hoverflies, and other beneficials. Both edible and ornamental varieties can be used, offering both culinary and ecological benefits.

Angelica (Angelica archangelica)

A stately biennial or short-lived perennial, angelica produces impressive globe-like clusters of greenish-white flowers atop tall stems. These complex flower heads are highly attractive to a wide array of beneficial insects, including lacewings, providing a significant nectar and pollen source.

Queen Anne’s Lace (Daucus carota)

The wild ancestor of the cultivated carrot, Queen Anne’s Lace produces intricate, flat-topped white flower clusters that are incredibly appealing to lacewings. Caution: While beneficial, Queen Anne’s Lace can be invasive in some regions; consider planting cultivated carrots or other members of the Apiaceae family if invasiveness is a concern.

Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus)

These cheerful annuals, particularly varieties with single, open flowers, offer an accessible landing pad and ample pollen for lacewings and other pollinators. Their extended blooming period ensures a continuous food source throughout the summer and fall.

Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus)

While large sunflowers may seem less accessible, varieties with open centers or those that produce multiple smaller heads are excellent pollen sources. The sheer abundance of pollen can support numerous beneficial insects, including lacewings, as well as provide bird food.

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

A hardy perennial, yarrow produces flat-topped clusters of tiny flowers, typically white, yellow, or pink. These flower heads are ideal for small beneficial insects like lacewings, offering both nectar and a convenient landing platform. Yarrow is also drought-tolerant and provides good ground cover.

Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum)

Often used as a cover crop, buckwheat produces masses of small, white to pinkish flowers that are incredibly rich in nectar and pollen. It blooms quickly and continuously, making it an excellent choice for a short-term boost to beneficial insect populations in specific garden areas or as an intercropping plant.

Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)

This low-growing annual forms a carpet of tiny, fragrant white, pink, or purple flowers. Sweet alyssum is a powerhouse for attracting lacewings and other beneficials, providing a continuous supply of easily accessible nectar. Its compact growth makes it perfect for edging, ground cover, or interplanting around vegetables.

Aster (Asteraceae family)

Perennial asters, with their daisy-like flowers, offer an abundant source of nectar and pollen, especially in late summer and autumn when other food sources may be dwindling. Their open flower structure is highly appealing to lacewings and a wide range of pollinators.

Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)

Often misunderstood and unfairly blamed for hay fever (which is usually caused by ragweed), goldenrod is a vital native plant that blooms profusely in late summer and fall. Its dense clusters of small yellow flowers are a magnet for lacewings, bees, and butterflies, providing essential resources for overwintering insects.

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

While often considered a weed, dandelions are one of the earliest blooming plants in spring, providing crucial nectar and pollen when other sources are scarce. Allowing a few dandelions to bloom in an undisturbed corner of the garden can significantly support emerging beneficial insect populations, including early lacewings.

Plants That Support Lacewing Larvae (Indirectly via Pest Presence)

While adult lacewings are attracted to nectar and pollen-rich flowers, their larvae require a diet of soft-bodied pest insects. Therefore, a lacewing-friendly garden also considers plants that naturally attract or host these prey species, ensuring that when lacewing eggs hatch, there is an immediate and abundant food supply for the “aphid lions.”

Any Plant Prone to Aphid Infestations

Paradoxically, some of the best “lacewing support” plants are those that commonly attract aphids and other soft-bodied pests. Roses, for instance, are frequent targets for aphid colonies, providing a readily available food source for lacewing larvae. Similarly, young vegetable plants such as brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, kale), beans, peas, and fruit trees can experience aphid outbreaks. By planting a diverse range of susceptible plants, you create potential breeding grounds for pests, which in turn signals to adult lacewings that the area is suitable for egg-laying. The key is to tolerate a low level of pest activity, enough to feed the beneficials, without letting pest populations explode out of control.

Importance of Diversity to Host Various Pests

A monoculture, or a garden with only a few types of plants, is often more susceptible to large-scale pest outbreaks. A diverse planting scheme, on the other hand, can host a wider variety of beneficial insects and their prey. While lacewings are generalist predators, different plants might attract different primary pests (e.g., spider mites on cucurbits, mealybugs on houseplants brought outdoors). By offering a mix of plant types, you ensure a continuous and varied food source for lacewing larvae, making your garden a more attractive and sustainable habitat for them.

Designing a Lacewing-Friendly Garden Ecosystem

Creating a garden that actively attracts and sustains lacewings is about more than just selecting a few plants; it involves a holistic approach to garden design that considers the needs of these beneficial insects throughout their life cycle.

Layered Planting (Ground Cover to Tall Plants)

Employing a layered planting strategy, from low-growing ground covers like sweet alyssum to medium-height herbs and taller flowering perennials, creates a diverse habitat. This offers varied microclimates, shelter from predators, and different heights for egg-laying and foraging, appealing to lacewings at various stages of their life.

Diversity is Key

A biodiverse garden is a resilient garden. Incorporate a wide range of plant species, including native plants where possible, to provide varied food sources (pollen, nectar, honeydew), shelter, and host plants for mild pest infestations that feed lacewing larvae. Aim for a mix of flowering herbs, annuals, perennials, and shrubs.

Succession Planting (Continuous Blooms)

Plan your garden to ensure something is always in bloom from early spring to late autumn. This continuous supply of nectar and pollen is crucial for adult lacewing sustenance and encourages them to remain and reproduce in your garden throughout the growing season. Stagger the planting of annuals or select perennials with different bloom times.

Providing Water Sources

Like all living creatures, lacewings need water. A shallow bird bath with stones for landing, a small saucer of water, or even a damp patch of soil can provide essential hydration. Ensure water sources are refreshed regularly to prevent mosquito breeding.

Minimizing Pesticide Use

This is perhaps the most critical aspect of creating a lacewing-friendly environment. Even “organic” or “natural” pesticides can be detrimental to beneficial insects. Avoid broad-spectrum insecticides entirely. If pest pressure becomes unbearable, opt for highly targeted solutions, or consider introducing lacewing larvae purchased from a reputable supplier after discontinuing pesticide use for several weeks.

Creating Overwintering Habitats

Don’t be too tidy in the fall. Leaving some spent perennial stalks, a layer of leaf litter, or creating a brush pile in an out-of-the-way corner provides vital overwintering shelter for adult lacewings and other beneficial insects. These undisturbed areas allow lacewings to survive the winter and emerge in spring, ready to begin their pest-fighting work.

Ongoing Maintenance for a Thriving Beneficial Insect Habitat

Once you’ve designed and planted your lacewing-friendly garden, ongoing care and observation are essential to ensure its continued success as a haven for beneficial insects.

Observing Your Garden

Regularly walk through your garden and observe. Look for adult lacewings, their characteristic stalked eggs, and the presence of their larvae. Also, monitor pest populations. A healthy garden ecosystem often has a low, manageable level of pests, which acts as a food source for beneficials without causing significant plant damage. Seeing a few aphids is not a sign of failure; it’s often a sign that the ecosystem is functioning and lacewings will soon follow.

Patience and Persistence

Establishing a thriving beneficial insect population takes time. It won’t happen overnight, especially if your garden has previously relied on chemical interventions. Be patient, continue to provide the necessary resources, and gradually, you will see an increase in lacewing activity and a reduction in pest pressure.

Avoiding Broad-Spectrum Pesticides

Reiterate this crucial point: the use of broad-spectrum pesticides negates all efforts to attract lacewings. Even organic options like neem oil or insecticidal soaps, while less toxic, can still harm lacewing larvae or deter adults. Use them only as a last resort, on specific affected plants, and preferably after observing for beneficial insect activity.

Watering and General Plant Health

Healthy plants are more resilient to pest attacks and can recover more quickly from any minor damage. Ensure your plants receive adequate water and nutrients. Stressed plants often attract pests, which in turn brings in beneficials, but overall plant health is paramount for a stable garden ecosystem.

Conclusion: Cultivating a Balanced and Resilient Garden

Attracting lacewings to your garden is a powerful step towards embracing a more sustainable, ecologically sound approach to gardening. By understanding their needs throughout their life cycle – from adult nectar and pollen sources to larval prey and overwintering habitats – gardeners can intentionally design and manage landscapes that actively support these incredible biological control agents.

The commitment to cultivating a lacewing-friendly garden not only reduces reliance on chemical pesticides but also fosters a richer, more diverse ecosystem. It transforms your garden into a dynamic space where nature’s own pest management team is on patrol, ensuring healthier plants, a thriving environment, and a more enjoyable gardening experience. Embrace the beauty and efficacy of these green-winged guardians, and watch your garden flourish with a newfound balance and resilience.