Junk Bug (Green Lacewing Larva)
Scientific Name: Mallada signatus (or similar Chrysopidae)
Order & Family: Order: Neuroptera, Family: Chrysopidae
Size: 3 mm to 10 mm in length.
Natural Habitat
Gardens, woodlands, agricultural fields, and urban shrubs.
Diet & Feeding
Carnivorous; primarily feeds on aphids, mites, thrips, and other small soft-bodied insects.
Behavior Patterns
Known for camouflaging themselves by carrying debris such as dead prey, lichen, or plant matter on their backs to hide from predators.
Risks & Benefits
Highly beneficial for the ecosystem as a natural pest controller; they can occasionally provide a harmless but sharp defensive pinch to human skin.
Identified on: 6/22/2026