I.D. Help Tiny White Eggs on stilts

[Junebug]

While checking on my chids this morning I came across this small group of tiny eggs on stilt supports. They were on an undamaged Wilsonara leaf. Any ideas as to who the momma might be? Thanks.

[camille1585]

I know what it is, but just can't remember the name of it. I saw something about them on a show on Animal Planet probably around a year ago. The eggs are laid on stilts because they are a favorite food of some other insect, that happens to usually be too dumb to figure out that there are eggs at the top of those stilts! The name is at the tip of my tongue, and if I remember it, I'll tell you.

[Junebug]

Originally Posted by camille1585

I know what it is, but just can't remember the name of it. I saw something about them on a show on Animal Planet probably around a year ago. The eggs are laid on stilts because they are a favorite food of some other insect, that happens to usually be too dumb to figure out that there are eggs at the top of those stilts! The name is at the tip of my tongue, and if I remember it, I'll tell you.

Thanks, Camille.

I can always count on you to answer questions concerning bug topics. I saw the same type of eggs on a phal leaf last week. I just wiped the eggs off with my finger. I haven't seen any creepy crawlies, just the usual...Gulf Fritillary butterflies, dragonflies, wasps, spiders, and ants. I haven't wiped this batch of eggs off yet because it might be a beneficial insect.

[camille1585]

I remember now! Those are lacewing eggs. And lacewings are beneficial insects, the larvae and adults feed on aphids, mites,mealies, and other soft bodied pests. Someone I was working with in entomology (she was doing research on lacewing) in the Netherlands told me that they can eat over a 100 aphids a day. A larvae will eat hundreds of food items during its development and they are one of the most efficient beneficial insects out there. I'm trying to find a pic of the larvae (which is somewhere on my computer) so you don't kill them once they're roaming on the orchid looking for bad bugs.

And I like answering bug questions! My area of expertise is plant-insect interactions, but I'm interested in everything plant and bug related. If I don't know a bug I'll look it up, I always love to know more.

[camille1585]

I couldn't find my photos, they must be on my external hard drive back in france. But here's a nice pic from google:
lacewing larva
And a page from U of Kentucky about lacewings: all about lacewings

Size wise these guys are roughly the same as ladybug larvae once they're grown, so about a 1/2 inch I would say.

[Hedge]

I was very interested in seeing this as I have many lacewings, but I had no idea they're so interesting. The larvae are very similar to ladybirds apart from colouring to my ignorant eye.

[Junebug]

Originally Posted by camille1585

I remember now! Those are lacewing eggs. And lacewings are beneficial insects, the larvae and adults feed on aphids, mites,mealies, and other soft bodied pests. Someone I was working with in entomology (she was doing research on lacewing) in the Netherlands told me that they can eat over a 100 aphids a day. A larvae will eat hundreds of food items during its development and they are one of the most efficient beneficial insects out there. I'm trying to find a pic of the larvae (which is somewhere on my computer) so you don't kill them once they're roaming on the orchid looking for bad bugs.

And I like answering bug questions! My area of expertise is plant-insect interactions, but I'm interested in everything plant and bug related. If I don't know a bug I'll look it up, I always love to know more.

Cool! If lacewings are beneficial they can lay all the eggs they want.

Thanks for your help. I really appreciate it.

[Junebug]

Originally Posted by camille1585

I couldn't find my photos, they must be on my external hard drive back in france. But here's a nice pic from google:
lacewing larva
And a page from U of Kentucky about lacewings: all about lacewings

Size wise these guys are roughly the same as ladybug larvae once they're grown, so about a 1/2 inch I would say.

Hey Camille,

I found a picture of the delicate looking adult lacewing and realized that I have run across them while doing yard work. I've probably seen their larva too but may have mistook it for an earwig.

After learning that the adult feeds on honeydew it all made sense and now I can see why the lacewing would be attracted to my shade house. It's probably because my orchids have been producing alot of honeydew on their buds and new growth.

Thanks again for your help.