#aphidlion

[xxyikesmanxx]

I work at Walmart and this aphidlion larva surprise bit the shit out of me out of nowhere he will live forever in infamy and in an alcohol specimen tube

RIP brave warrior

[jonnysinsectcatalogue]

Green “Goldeneye” Lacewing - Chrysopa oculata

One advantage that the addition of YouTube has brought to this blog is the ability go back and revisit old posts. For them, new posts can be created with new information based on the research and observations I've examined since and the pictures that weren't uploaded during the initial find! This post is one such example, but it will mostly focus on the showcase of photos rather than new research. After uploading the Green Lacewing video post to my channel, I remembered these images from 4 years ago and revisited them. For the time they were taken, I think they're incredible! It certainly helps that Lacewings are among the most beautiful insects in their adult form thanks to their intricate wings, delicate body and pleasing coloration.

Though beautiful and a beneficial insect for pest control in the garden, it may surprise you (it definitely surprised me) to learn that Lacewings have earned the moniker of "Stinkfly" since a few species can emit an unpleasant odor from thoracic glands if threatened. It wouldn't be unusual for an insect to emit an odor and stink it up if it felt threatened, but I won't try to coax the odor out of a Lacewing. Though they are insects and as such as very sturdy, they should be respected and not handled roughly. More importantly, not all Lacewings have the ability to use an odorous defense (although some Chrysopa species do seem to have that ability), so not all of them can even be considered "Stinkflies". It must be quite an odor to have caused such a stir! Personally, I prefer Lacewing; it's more fitting of their beauty and elegance, even if they begin their lives as ravenous insect eaters...which are called "Trash Bugs" due to their tendency to carry insect carcasses on their back as a means of camouflage! Trash Bugs metamorphosing to Stinkflies...what a world we live in. For me, it's Aphid-Wolves/Aphidlions to Lacewings. I hope to see them again next summer.

Pictures were taken on June 18, 2019 with a Samsung Galaxy S4. To see more of this individual, you can view this video post here or view the full video uploaded on YouTube.

[aliquid-de-magis]

okay, okay, i've got another one! tell me if this is closer or farther away:

this one is an aphidlion

(the antlion is so named because it is a terrifying predator to ants)

so uhh, i came across a post where you mentioned letting yourself get bitten by unknown stripey bugs at summer camp and you gave this drawing:

and i thought, that feels like an antlion

I appreciate your contribution! It definitely wasn't that, though. That guy looks really cool, but my test subject (or was I the test subject?) was much slimmer.

I've never seen an antlion before, but I must say, that looks nothing like an ant nor a lion.

[norfolknaturalist]

Lacewings, Part 2: Hatching out of the stalked egg would be a creature much like this one that I spotted at MacGregor Point Provincial Park, August 2017. This is a Lacewing Larva, of the Green Lacewing Family (Chrysopidae). These insects are sometimes called "aphid lions" because of their voracious predation upon aphids. They use their sickle-shaped mandibles to pierce prey and suck up the liquefied interior. This particular larva was sucking up spilled hot chocolate, apparently an alternative food source. . . . . . . . #nature #ontario #lacewinglarvae #lacewinglarva #neuroptera #lacewings #chrysopidae #insectlarva #insects_of_our_world #larvae #aphidlion #entomology #entomologyphotography #ontarioprovincialparks #macgregorpoint #macgregorpointprovincialpark #naturephotography #insect (at MacGregor Point Provincial Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CDYsXP6pQIF/?igshid=1adag4yny0660

[northwest-nug-run]

Lacewing larvae eating noctuid moth eggs. Check out the video in the next post. #lacewinglarvae #aphidlion #predatorinsects #eatthembeforetheyhatch #ommp #organic #organicgardening #organicoregon #undersiege #nwnr

[seedkeeping]

Beautifully arranged “aphid lion” eggs on the underside of a canna lily leaf. A lacewing placed these here on now-hardened mucus strings to protect them from predation - and while I didn’t see aphids nearby, the mama lacewing often strategically locates her babies near a delicious aphid community for a nice birthday feast. #lacewingeggs #aphidlion #welcometotheneighborhood #farmecosystem