while field herping.....

[ssssnakeluvr]

well....lacewings are little green bugs with lacy wings...and eat aphids...and stink if you pick them up...

[stonyloam]

They sure do, used to catch them just for that reason. “The adult antlion belongs to the order Neuroptera, which includes dobsonflies and lacewings, is the most primitive order of insects with complete metamorphosis”. Credit that to Mark Swanson at the antlionpit.com. I guess it most likely would grow up to be a dobsonfly. You can sometimes find them under the porch light at night.

[adamanteus]

well....lacewings are little green bugs with lacy wings...and eat aphids...and stink if you pick them up...

I never knew that! Stink of what?

[stonyloam]

Don't know, but they do! It's been about 40 years since I tried it, but do remember they smell. I assume that it is some form of defense mechanism. Now I may have to go out and try it again.

[ssssnakeluvr]

not sure what the smell is, but it's probably a defense mechanism...I know I wouildn't eat anything that smelled like that!!!!

[adamanteus]

Next time I see one, I'm going to sniff it! I've never noticed it before......something to look forward to!

[stonyloam]

James: I think you have to squeeze it just a tiny bit (not enough to hurt it) to get the desired results. Ummmmmm! I'm not sure I'd tell a lot of people you are going around sniffing bugs, they may think that is kind of strange, even in the UK.

[adamanteus]

In the UK it would be considered eccentric behaviour...and therefore acceptable!

[Sputnik]

I loved them when I was a child. Used to call them "Goldaugenprinzessin" - "golden eyed princess". Can't say I ever noticed them smelling though.

[adamanteus]

Slightly off topic....anyone ever noticed that earthworms (especially in large quantities) smell like chocolate?