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Green wood boring insect with lacy wings? #745390

Asked April 20, 2021, 5:33 PM EDT

We discovered a damaged rim joist on a project in Green Mountain Falls just west of Colorado Springs. We have some pictures of the green insect; it does not look like the pictures of Emerald Borers I see online. Can you tell us what it is?

El Paso County Colorado

Expert Response

Thank you for your question and pictures. 

What you have appears to be a green lacewing. Below is a link provided by Colorado State University. Please read it and let us know if you have any additional questions. 

https://webdoc.agsci.colostate.edu/hempinsects/PDFs/Green%20Lacewings%20with%20Photos.pdf

An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 20, 2021, 7:13 PM EDT
Thank You,

I noticed that the picture looked like a Green Lacewing but I couldn’t find anything that showed lacewings boring into wood.

We found this behind a ledger board that was installed 20 years ago for a deck.

I have attached another picture of the area. 

Is this normal for Green Lacewings?

Kimber Janney
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<personal data hidden>
www.kivaconstruction.com

image

On Apr 20, 2021, at 5:13 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

The Question Asker Replied April 21, 2021, 10:38 AM EDT

Thank you for the follow up. 

It is quite common for insects to "re-use" holes or habitats that have been built by other insects.

Green lace pupae can be found located on the underside of leaves or hidden in places on plants.
Adults emerge in 10-14 days. Adults feed on nectar, pollen and honeydew, as well as on small arthropods. The green lace you found could've also been searching for food. 

An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 21, 2021, 10:54 AM EDT

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