Recognition of beneficial insects and their importance in alfalfa production is emphasized so that care will be taken to avoid mortality due to chemical insecticides whenever possible. Current insecticide recommendations may be found in OSU Extension Facts F-7150, which can be obtained from the county extension office. They reach a length of about one-half inch when fully grown. In Oklahoma, lady beetles are the most common naturally-occurring control agent on aphids. Lacewings Larvae of this group are called aphid lions.
Adults are green or brown with large lace-like wings.
Aphid lions use long sickle shaped mandibles to grasp small insects and suck out body fluids. They are important in limiting aphid populations in alfalfa. They possess a long beak on the front of the head and grasping front legs for use in capturing aphids, small caterpillars, or other prey. Larger wasps may parasitize alfalfa weevil larvae or caterpillars such as earworms and armyworms. Each species of wasp usually attacks only a certain group of insect pests.