Green Lacewing Larva (Junk Bug)

Natural Habitat

Gardens, agricultural fields, and wooded areas worldwide.

Diet & Feeding

Carnivorous; primarily consumes aphids, mites, scale insects, and other soft-bodied pests.

Behavior Patterns

Known as junk bugs because they camouflage themselves by carrying debris such as dust, bark, and carcasses of their prey on their backs using specialized hooked hairs called bristles.

Risks & Benefits

Highly beneficial for biological pest control; though usually harmless to humans, they may occasionally provide a tiny, non-venomous defensive nip if handled.

Identified on: 5/25/2026