Family Chrysopidae - Green Lacewings

This page contains pictures and information about Green Lacewings that we found in the Brisbane area, Queensland, Australia.



Green Lacewings are small in size. They are bright green in colour with clear wings, long thread-like antennae. They have relatively large, golden, iridescent eyes. They are active at night and may come to house attracted by window light.

Those Green Lacewings are common in gardens and bushland. Adults have a slow, fluttering flight. They usually feed on nectar. When rest, they like to hide under the bottom side of the leaf.


Larvae Eggs

Their larvae are predators to small insects, such as aphids. Some of them covered themselves with debris. Eggs laid on long slender stalks.


Golden Eye Lacewing

Italochrysa insignis, body length 20mm
This Lacewings are common in Brisbane. They will release a strong smelling liquid when disturbed.


Green Lacewing II

Photo: Keith Power, Toowoomba
Mallada signata

Reference and Link:
1. Insects of Australia, CSIRO, Division of Entomology, Melbourne University Press, 2nd Edition 1991, pp 539.
2. Insects of Australia and New Zealand - R. J. Tillyard, Angus & Robertson, Ltd, Sydney, 1926, p318.
3. Wildlife of greater Brisbane - Queensland Museum, p98.