Junk bug (Green Lacewing Larva)

Natural Habitat

Gardens, agricultural fields, forests, and residential areas near plants.

Diet & Feeding

Strictly carnivorous; they primarily consume aphids, mealybugs, scale insects, and mites.

Behavior Patterns

Larvae carry a 'trash' bundle on their backs consisting of dead prey carcasses, lichen, and debris to provide camouflage from predators. They are aggressive hunters often called 'aphid lions'.

Risks & Benefits

Highly beneficial to the ecosystem and gardeners as an effective natural pest control. Occasionally they may give a harmless, minor nip to humans if they crawl on skin, but they are not venomous.

Identified on: 3/5/2026