Woolly apple aphid predator - brown lacewing, Micromus tasmaniae

The brown or Tasmanian lacewing may be frequently found feeding on woolly apple aphid and other aphid species (right). Both the adult (left) and larval (right) stages are predatory. This is an Australian species which is thought to have been introduced to New Zealand accidentally. It was first recorded in 1869.

Woolly apple aphid outbreaks have been recorded in New Zealand in association with destruction of large numbers of these lacewings, due to pesticide toxicity. The importance of lacewing predation may, therefore, be underestimated. However, these same pesticides are known to be toxic to another woolly aphid predator, the European earwig, and the outbreaks may have resulted from destruction of several predatory species.