Lacewing magnet – Backyard Heroes

Discover the green lacewing (Chrysoperla carnea), the most elegant and effective pest controller in the European garden. With its translucent, lacy wings, golden eyes, and delicate green body, the lacewing is one of Europe's most beautiful insects — and also one of its most valuable. For behind that ethereal beauty lies a surprisingly effective hunter: lacewing larvae can devour up to 200 aphids per week, making them one of the most powerful natural alternatives to pesticides that nature has to offer.

This premium magnet features stunning wildlife photography that captures the characteristic lacy wings and golden eyes of this enchanting insect.

Conservation Status: Least Concern

• Population: Widespread in Europe (locally declining due to pesticide use)
• Habitat: Gardens, parks, hedges, and wildflower meadows throughout Europe
• Major Threats: Pesticide use, loss of nectar-rich flowers, overly tidy gardens
• Ecological Role: Exceptional pest controller of aphids, mites, and small caterpillars; pollinator as an adult insect
• Special Feature: Larvae can eat up to 200 aphids per week — one of the most effective natural pest controllers

Fascinating Facts:

• Lacewing larvae can devour up to 200 aphids per week — an indispensable ally for the organic gardener
• Adult lacewings feed on nectar and honeydew — they are also valuable pollinators
• They overwinter as adult insects in sheltered spots — their green color changes to orange-brown in winter as camouflage
• Females lay their eggs on thin stalks above aphid colonies — so the larvae are directly with their food
• Lacewings are nocturnal as adult insects and are attracted to light
• Their lacy wings are so fine they are almost transparent — a marvel of biological engineering

How to attract lacewings to your garden?

• Plant nectar-rich flowers such as fennel, dill, yarrow, and cosmos
• Build an insect hotel with hollow stems and wood for overwintering
• Avoid pesticides — lacewings are extremely sensitive to chemicals
• Provide water sources with shallow edges
• Leave some aphids — they are food for lacewing larvae!

Read our complete rewilding guide for your garden → and discover how to build an insect hotel.

We partner with organizations that make a real, measurable contribution to wildlife protection. Together, we are building a community of wildlife ambassadors — one magnet at a time.

With the purchase of this magnet, we donate €2.00 to wildlife protection – directly contributing to the conservation of the lacewing and its habitat.

Part of our Backyard Heroes collection — transform your fridge into a tribute to the European garden's most elegant pest controller.