Junk bug (Green Lacewing Larva)

Scientific Name: Chrysoperla rufilabris (or other species in Chrysoperla/Ceraeochrysa)

Order & Family: Neuroptera; Chrysopidae

Size: 1/8 to 1/2 inch (3 to 13 mm) in length.

Natural Habitat

Gardens, orchards, crops, and various vegetation worldwide.

Diet & Feeding

Voracious predators that eat aphids, mites, scale insects, and other small soft-bodied insects.

Behavior Patterns

Larvae of some species practice 'debris carrying,' where they pile the sucked-dry husks of their prey, lichen, and organic matter onto their backs for camouflage. This protects them from predators like birds and ants.

Risks & Benefits

Highly beneficial to humans as biological pest control for gardens and agriculture. They are harmless to humans, though they may occasionally deliver a minor, non-toxic nip if handled.

Identified on: 1/4/2026