Community identification
Junk bug (Green lacewing larva)
Chrysoperla carnea
- Order & Family
- Neuroptera: Chrysopidae
- Size
- 3 mm to 10 mm in length
Natural Habitat
Gardens, agricultural fields, and wooded areas worldwide
Diet & Feeding
Predatory; feeds on aphids, mites, scale insects, and insect eggs
Behavior Patterns
Larvae often carry debris or the husks of their prey on their backs for camouflage; they are active hunters with sickle-shaped mandibles
Risks & Benefits
Highly beneficial for biological pest control in gardens and farms; can occasionally deliver a sharp but harmless nip to humans if they crawl on human skin