Releasing Lacewings

There are real battles this season in my new garden plot. Soils had to be inoculated with organic matter, Minerals, and microbial life. Last summer it was a burned out lawn. It was brown and lifeless. This year, a 20' x 20' plot has produced and is producing enough food for 10 people weekly. The garden is managed 100% organically. There are no chemical pesticides, no synthetic fertilizers, and the beneficial insects and microbes are working well. I have had squash bugs. If you have ever had squash bugs you know the temptation to break out the weed burner and torch them. They did get a couple of my winter squash. However, my 2 little plants have produced 12 squash for winter storage and plenty of seeds for next year. The Praying Mantis and spiders are killing them! How do I know? well I dissected the midden from the spider webs. They get some of the bees, flys, and paper wasps too.

Spider debris on lower squash leaf

Garden Spider

I wanted to share my current release of Lacewings to clean up an impending aphid, cabbage worm infestation.

Cabbage aphids, taken with a cell phone

I noticed a few aphids last week. I ordered Lacewing eggs on cards. The shipment took 4 days to arrive.

Lacewings Arrival and deployment immediately

I deployed the 30 cards across the Cabbage family crops. The Brussel Sprout stalks are amazing. 3' to 4' tall and covered in produce. My kale is at different stages across the garden. I also just transplanted some cabbages. I always get aphids on these crops.

cards are perforated and have little hanger hooks

Brussel Sprout stalks, I placed the cards in the crown right next to the aphid clusters

Card place in crown, aphids and friends are going to be a great meal for the Lacewings

In the past I have used NEEM oil. However, as I have grown as a gardner I almost never use it. It hurts insects that are protecting my crops too. Like the spiders, praying mantis, ladybugs, and small parasitic wasps. This year, I am adding lacewing eggs. I feel like an expectant parent. It can take 3 to 10 days after their arrival for the aphid consuming larval machines to hatch. I will keep you updated on the lacewings arrival. I will be looking for the larva.

Lacewing Larva are excellent predators

Lacewing Life Cycle