The lacewing is only about one-half inch long. It has two pairs of pretty, light-green wings that are so thin and delicate they look like spun glass. This insect is a real friend to farmers.
When laying eggs, the female first deposits a spot of “glue” on a branch or stem. Before this hardens she flips her tail upward, producing a long thread-like stalk. This stalk quickly hardens, and then she deposits one egg on the end of the stalk. She repeats this time after time, but spacing them far enough apart so they will not eat one another when they hatch, since they are very hungry little creatures.
In about a week, the yellow or grayish larvae hatch. The mother lacewing has deposited her eggs close to aphids, scales, mites, leafhoppers or thrips. These become food for the larvae for about two weeks; then they are ready for a change. Attaching themselves to the underside of leaves, they spin threads of white silk, wrapping themselves in cocoons for a 12-day change.
While in the cocoon, each larva develops specially designed cutting jaws. Using these, it slices around the top of its cocoon, leaving a small section as a hinge and anchor post. Pushing the lid open, it crawls out and spins another thread on which it dangles from the anchor. Soon its wings dry and it has become an adult lacewing. Now it returns to what it enjoys best - eating aphids for the rest of its life. As it does this, it becomes a friend to farmers by helping protect their crops from these harmful pests.
Isn’t it interesting to see how the female lacewing makes such careful preparations for her young, first by making the eggs look like part of a plant, and then placing them where they will immediately find food when they hatch. It is another example of how God has given instincts to His creatures so they may fill their part in His total plan of creation.
God’s ways with us are far more important than with these insects. He has given us superior intelligence, so that we may see and know about Him and His wonders. He has also given us a conscience to remind us that we are sinners and need a Saviour. He has also given us hearts and minds capable of receiving this Saviour, and it is through Him and His death on the cross that we can go to heaven. He tells us, “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:2323For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)). Have you accepted this wonderful gift?
ML-08/29/1999