Description
Lacewings are excellent aphid hunters, feeding on mite larvae and aphids. A female lays about 350 eggs near aphid colonies. This means that the descendants of an individual can together consume up to 200,000 aphids or 4,200,000 mite eggs. The lacewing box is also regularly used as a form of biological control.
The box consists of a straw-filled chest with obliquely placed slotted slots on the front and underside. The striking red color is deliberately tuned to attract lacewings. The box is placed as a wintering residence. In the winter months, up to 90% of all lacewings die. Hanging a professional lacewing box can reduce this number to 5%.
If the box is not immediately taken into use by lacewings, the chance is real that ladybugs will occupy it.
