Community identification
Junk bug (Green Lacewing Larva)
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.