lacewing

[ leys-wing ]

noun

1. any of several insects of the family Chrysopidae, having delicate, lacelike wings wings and golden or copper-colored eyes, the larvae of which are predaceous on aphids and other small insects.

lacewing

/ ˈleɪsˌwɪŋ /

noun

1. any of various neuropterous insects, esp any of the families Chrysopidae ( green lacewings ) and Hemerobiidae ( brown lacewings ), having lacy wings and preying on aphids and similar pests

Word History and Origins

Origin of lacewing¹

First recorded in 1850–55; lace + wing

Example Sentences

Between thirty and forty species of lacewing flies are known to occur in our own country.

From Project Gutenberg

The pretty lacewing knows what an appetite her ever hungry larvæ will have, and so she protects them against each other.

From Project Gutenberg

You see it looks a little like the lacewing larva, and it, too, belongs to the Neuroptera.

From Project Gutenberg

Lacewing-flies of the genus Chrysopa are commonly called golden-eye flies.

From Project Gutenberg

May says she supposes the larva of the lacewing is a little monster like that of the corydalus.

From Project Gutenberg