Larvae of Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) are effective predators for controlling insect pests of various crops. Increased awareness of the nutritional substrate that promotes their development will help in management of this predator for biological control of pests. Developmental time, reproduction, and survival rate of C. carnea feeding on seven diets were recorded: eggs of Trichoplusia ni (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), and Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae); larvae of T. ni and P. xylostella; and aphids Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) and Rhopalosiphum padi (L.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae). The intrinsic rate of growth (r_m), net reproductive rate (R₀), and finite rate of augmentation (λ) were greater when the lacewing larvae were fed B. brassicae (r_m = 0.198, R₀ = 1171, λ = 1.21) and R. padi (r_m = 0.198, R₀ = 1181, λ = 1.21) aphids; generation time (T) was greater when they ate eggs of T. ni (T = 38.7 days) and less when fed eggs of P. xylostella (T = 35.3 days). This research will contribute to knowledge of growth of C. carnea and to integrated management of pests of crops.