Junk Bug, Trash Bug, or Aphid Lion (Green Lacewing Larva)

Found primarily in gardens, agricultural fields, and wooded areas on foliage. They occasionally wander indoors onto walls or window sills.

Carnivorous predator. They are voracious eaters of soft-bodied insects, primarily aphids, but also mealybugs, thrips, spider mites, and insect eggs.

These larvae exhibit a unique camouflage behavior where they pile the sucked-dry carcasses of their prey, along with lichen and bits of plant matter, onto bristles on their backs. This creates a moving trash pile that protects them from birds and allows them to hunt without being detected by ants.

Highly beneficial. They are considered an excellent natural form of pest control for gardens and crops. They are harmless to humans, although they can deliver a minor, non-venomous nip if handled or provoked.