The insectorderNeuroptera, or net-winged insects, includes the fishflies, snakeflies, lacewings and antlions. The adults of this order possess four membranous wings, with the forewings and hindwings about the same size, and with many veins. They have chewing mouthparts, and undergo complete metamorphosis.
There are three suborders:
Megaloptera (dobsonflies, fishflies, and alderflies),
Raphidiodea (snakeflies), and
Planipennia (dusty-wings, lacewings, antlions, and owlflies).
Lacewings of Kentucky - University of Kentucky Entomology
Green and brown lacewing adults are also predators and feed on the same prey as the larvae: aphids, insect eggs, etc. Becasue lacewing larvae are well-known for feeding on aphids, they are often called "aphid lions." Lacewing adults do not fly very well, and are often eaten by flying predators such as birds and dragonflies.
Like green lacewing larvae, brown lacewing larvae are predators, but some species cover themselves with debris and with the skins of their prey as a way to protect themselves from larger predators.
While the adult Green Lacewing feeds primarily on nectars and pollens, in the larvae stage of the Green Lacewing are voracious natural predators of a large number of pest insects including garden aphids.
Green Lacewing Larvae are very active and can kill up to 600 aphids while in their larvae stage which lasts from two to four weeks.
In situations where lacewing larvae are being deployed to control pest insects in large crops such as corn, tobacco or apples you will need larger concentrations of lacewings, generally 5 times that amount per acre to be effective.
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