Red-lipped Green Lacewing
Chrysoperla rufilabris
This record describes Chrysoperla rufilabris (species). Recorded family: Chrysopidae. Recorded order: Neuroptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adults Adults of C. rufilabris are distinguished by their near-entirely red genae ('cheeks'), black cross veins, and pointed hind wingtips. Because they overwinter as adults (unlike our other members of the pudica group), they turn brown during the colder months. This trait is otherwise shared by several members of the carnea group. Larvae Larvae of C. rufilabris are distinguished by having two dark stripes on the dorsum of the head capsule (not including markings at the eye), three pairs of prominent white spots on the thorax, often with the hindmost pair connected by a slight band, and typically an otherwise dark body color lacking pale markings through the middle of the abdomen (or if pale marks are present, not divided into 3 discrete longitudinal stripes). The legs are often (though not always) entirely black, unlike in allies.
Wikipedia reference for Chrysoperla rufilabris: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysoperla_rufilabris.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Neuroptera (Antlions, Lacewings, and Allies)
- Family
- Chrysopidae (Green Lacewings)
- Subfamily
- Chrysopinae
- Tribe
- Chrysopini
- Genus
- Chrysoperla (Common Green Lacewings)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
e. NA (NS-MB south to FL & TX) Canada: NB, ON; United States: DC, FL, GA, IN, KS, LA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, TX, VA, WI
Seasonal Activity
flies in Canada June 9 to mid-September
Diet and Behavior
Life History
C. rufilabris overwinter as adults, turning tan to brown at about the same time that deciduous trees start to lose their leaves.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Chrysoperla rufilabris (Burmeister 1839)
About Antlions, Lacewings, and Allies: the wider group
Order-level background for Neuroptera, the group containing Chrysoperla rufilabris. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Neuroptera (lacewings, antlions, owlflies) includes ~6,000 described species. Green lacewing larvae are called 'aphid lions' - a single larva can consume up to 200 aphids per week.
Ecological role of the group
Antlion larvae build conical pit traps in sandy soil - an engineering feat studied by physicists for insights into granular mechanics. Adult lacewings are important pollinators of night-blooming flowers.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lacewings are commercially reared and sold as biological pest control agents. The global biological pest control market, which heavily features lacewings, was valued at $6.6 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $16.4 billion by 2033.
Recorded sources for this group: USDA IPM, biological control market research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Red-lipped Green Lacewing (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by John R. Maxwell; Additional contributions by anitagould , Ted Kropiewnicki , v belov , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Red-lipped Green Lacewing
What is Red-lipped Green Lacewing?
Red-lipped Green Lacewing (Chrysoperla rufilabris) is a species in the family Chrysopidae, within the order Neuroptera.
How do you identify Red-lipped Green Lacewing?
Adults Adults of C. rufilabris are distinguished by their near-entirely red genae ('cheeks'), black cross veins, and pointed hind wingtips. Because they overwinter as adults (unlike our other members of the pudica group), they turn brown during the colder months. This trait is otherwise shared by several members of the carnea group. Larvae Larvae of C. rufilabris are distinguished by having two dark stripes on the dorsum of the head capsule (not including markings at the eye), three pairs of prominent white spots on the thorax, often with the hindmost pair connected by a slight band, and typically an otherwise dark body color lacking pale markings through the middle of the abdomen (or if pale marks are present, not divided into 3 discrete longitudinal stripes). The legs are often (though not always) entirely black, unlike in allies.
Where is Red-lipped Green Lacewing found?
Range: e. NA (NS-MB south to FL & TX) Canada: NB, ON; United States: DC, FL, GA, IN, KS, LA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, TX, VA, WI
When is Red-lipped Green Lacewing active?
Red-lipped Green Lacewing: seasonal activity - flies in Canada June 9 to mid-September.
What is the life cycle of a Red-lipped Green Lacewing?
C. rufilabris overwinter as adults, turning tan to brown at about the same time that deciduous trees start to lose their leaves.