Creature Kit
Loopy Lacewing
If you have already purchased a Butterfly Skye's Creature Kit and would like to use your mail order code to order an Loopy Lacewing please click here now !
You might not know what a Loopy Lacewing is...but they are very exciting to watch! Lacewings hatch from eggs and the larvae will move very quickly around your Creature Cottage to hunt their food. They like to stick things to their backs for camouflage, and will even stick the exoskeletons of their prey to their backs to give them a great disguise!
Information about Lacewings
Lacewings are insects from the order Neuroptera and are closely related to antlions. They are soft bodied insects with long (lace-like) wings. The larvae of the lacewing eat aphids, moth eggs and other small insects, while the adults commonly eat plant nectar to supplement their diet along with other soft bodied insects. Lacewing larvae are commonly used by farmers for the biological control of aphids and other agricultural pests. Lacewings are common throughout most of Australia and can be found in most habitats.
Lacewing Life Cycle
Lacewings undergo complete metamorphosis and have 4 distinct life stages. Green lacewings lay eggs on the tips of long silken stalks spun on leaves, stems of plants or even the sides of houses. This prevents the first larvae hatched from eating the other eggs. Once hatched the larvae will hunt aphids and other possible food and are very active. They will stick the exoskeletons of their prey as well as grass and sticks to their backs in order to camouflage themselves. The larvae will moult 3-5 times before it is ready to form a cocoon so that it can pupate. After 1-2 weeks the adult lacewing will emerge and will fly away to find food and a mate. The adults are commonly attracted to lights at night time.
Taking Care of Your Loopy Lacewing
You will receive 5-10 loopy lacewing larvae, some food for them as well as some grass for them to hide in. You will need to feed them once per day. you can feed them the food provided as well as any live aphids you can find (or other small insects).