Chrysoperla carnea - against Aphids & Thrips

Chrysoperla carnea – Biological Pest Control for Aphids and Soft-Bodied Pests

Important: Beneficial insects are only shipped to Germany, France, Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg due to their short shelf life and the need for fast delivery. Orders ship once a week (Wednesdays) – please read the shipping disclaimer carefully to avoid delays.

What’s Included

✔ 1 sachet plus 3 application boxes for easy distribution across your plants.
Suitable for approximately 5–30 plants, depending on plant size and infestation level.

How Chrysoperla carnea Works

• Aphid control: Larvae actively hunt and consume aphids at all life stages.
• Mealybug reduction: Targets young mealybug nymphs before colonies expand.
• Whitefly control: Attacks eggs and larvae to help prevent outbreaks.
• Broad pest control: Also preys on thrips larvae, scale crawlers and small caterpillars.

Highly effective: Under good conditions (around 18–30 °C), each lacewing larva can consume up to 500 prey insects before pupating into a non-predatory adult.

Best Conditions for Use Indoors

• Temperature: 18–30 °C.
• Humidity: Above 40 % relative humidity for best performance.
• Plant choice: Compatible with most houseplants; avoid very sticky or heavily waxed leaves that impede movement.

Tip: If pest populations are high, release additional sachets or repeat applications for faster knock-down.

How to Apply Chrysoperla carnea on Houseplants

The larvae are supplied in sachets for controlled, gradual release.

• Small plants: 1 application box per plant.
• Larger plants (e.g. Monstera, Ficus): 2–3 application boxes per plant.
• Plant shelves or collections: About 1 application box per 0.5–1 m².
• Hang or place application boxes close to infested areas, away from direct heat sources and strong airflow.
• Do not open the sachets: lacewing larvae leave through the pre-cut openings.

🔄 Reapply every 4–6 weeks if you want ongoing protection or if pest pressure remains high.

Target Pests

• Aphids: Rapid population reduction across all life stages.
• Mealybugs: Effective on young crawler stages.
• Whiteflies: Targets eggs and early larval stages.
• Thrips larvae: Helps suppress outbreaks in combination with other measures.
• Scale insect crawlers: Attacks newly hatched mobile stages.

❌ Not effective against fungus gnats, spider mites or root pests.

Storage and Handling

• Store at room temperature (18–22 °C) until release.
• Use immediately on arrival for maximum effectiveness.
• Do not refrigerate; cold conditions can damage larvae.

Pesticide Compatibility

Lacewing larvae are very sensitive to many sprays.

• Avoid: neem oil, insecticidal soaps and broad-spectrum insecticides on treated plants.
• Best practice: stop chemical treatments at least 5–7 days before introducing larvae.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

• Larvae do not seem to establish: Check humidity and, if needed, increase moisture by grouping plants or using a humidifier; ensure there are enough pests present and avoid strong draughts.
• Aphids still visible: Lacewing larvae are aggressive predators but need time to work through heavy infestations. For severe cases, combine with other natural enemies such as Aphidoletes aphidimyza and support control with yellow sticky traps for whiteflies and thrips.

Why Choose Chrysoperla carnea for Houseplants?

• Multi-pest control: Works on aphids, mealybugs, whiteflies, thrips larvae and more.
• Chemical-free: No conventional pesticides, suitable for homes with pets and children when used as directed.
• Lasting activity: Larvae remain active for several weeks before pupation.
• Simple handling: Place sachets and application boxes and let the larvae find the pests.

Order Chrysoperla carnea Today

Use Chrysoperla carnea as part of a biological pest management strategy to keep aphids and other soft-bodied pests under control without routine spraying.

📦 Included: 1 sachet with lacewing larvae and 3 application boxes, suitable for roughly 5–30 plants depending on size and pest levels.