
Community identification
Junk bug (Green Lacewing Larva)
Chrysoperla rufilabris
- Order & Family
- Neuroptera, Chrysopidae
- Size
- 3 mm to 10 mm
Natural Habitat
Gardens, agricultural fields, and wooded areas with dense vegetation.
Diet & Feeding
Carnivorous; they eat aphids, mealybugs, scale insects, insect eggs, and other soft-bodied pests.
Behavior Patterns
Larvae carry debris, such as dust, plant material, and the dried corpses of their prey, on their backs as camouflage. They are highly active hunters with a 'search and strike' movement.
Risks & Benefits
Highly beneficial as biological pest control for gardens. They are harmless to humans, though they may occasionally deliver a minor, non-venomous nip if handled.