Help me identify this insect? (pics)

lapk78 · March 29, 2012

I was inspecting my hanging Mexi Bell and found this hiding within one of its flowers. It's approx. 2mm long. It looks almost scorpion-like, but I'm pretty sure that's not what it is. Any thoughts?

-Lyle

lapk78 · March 29, 2012

My best guess is perhaps a very young antlion...?

ChrisK · March 29, 2012

Lacewing larva.

VC Scott · March 29, 2012

Lacewing like to eat aphids!

Elizabeth · March 29, 2012

Oh yeah, keep that baby lacewing happy - it's a good guy. If you see any similar ones that are black and red, they are ladybug larvae. Flowers in the aster (cosmos, coreopsis, etc.) and umbelliferae (yarrow, carrots and the like) will encourage the adults of both to stick around and lay more eggs.

tjg911 · March 29, 2012

could be either, my 1st thought was it looked like an ant lion so i googled it but lacewing looks possible too. both are very good beneficial insects and should not be harmed. they might eat the tarnished plant bugs and their larvae.

https://www.google.com/search?q=ant+...w=1161&bih=619

https://www.google.com/search?q=lace...w=1161&bih=619

tom

lapk78 · March 30, 2012

Wow. Who knew that growing a garden on my apartment balcony would foster knowledge of entomology? After looking through some images (thanks Tom!) I think it's gotta be a lacewing. Man, I'm really digging (pun intended) this website; lots of knowledge and experience pooled into one place! Thanks all for dropping the knowledge into my head! Too bad that I tossed the larva off the balcony. Sorry lil lacewing... come back!

-Lyle

March 29, 2012	#5
Elizabeth Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: San Diego Coastal - Zone 10b Posts: 204	Oh yeah, keep that baby lacewing happy - it's a good guy. If you see any similar ones that are black and red, they are ladybug larvae. Flowers in the aster (cosmos, coreopsis, etc.) and umbelliferae (yarrow, carrots and the like) will encourage the adults of both to stick around and lay more eggs. __________________ Elizabeth If I'm going to water and care for a plant it had better give me food, flowers or shade.

March 29, 2012	#6
tjg911 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: zone 5b northwest connecticut Posts: 2,570	could be either, my 1st thought was it looked like an ant lion so i googled it but lacewing looks possible too. both are very good beneficial insects and should not be harmed. they might eat the tarnished plant bugs and their larvae. https://www.google.com/search?q=ant+...w=1161&bih=619 https://www.google.com/search?q=lace...w=1161&bih=619 tom __________________ I need a hero I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the end of the night He’s gotta be strong And he’s gotta be fast And he’s gotta be fresh from the fight I need a hero I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the morning light He’s gotta be sure And it’s gotta be soon And he’s gotta be larger than life

March 29, 2012	#2
lapk78 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2011 Location: San Antonio, TX Zone 8B Posts: 118	My best guess is perhaps a very young antlion...?

March 29, 2012	#3
ChrisK Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 1,448	Lacewing larva.

March 29, 2012	#4
VC Scott Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: San Marcos, CA Posts: 352	Lacewing like to eat aphids!

March 30, 2012	#7
lapk78 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2011 Location: San Antonio, TX Zone 8B Posts: 118	Wow. Who knew that growing a garden on my apartment balcony would foster knowledge of entomology? After looking through some images (thanks Tom!) I think it's gotta be a lacewing. Man, I'm really digging (pun intended) this website; lots of knowledge and experience pooled into one place! Thanks all for dropping the knowledge into my head! Too bad that I tossed the larva off the balcony. Sorry lil lacewing... come back! -Lyle