Debris-carrying Lacewing Larva (Junk Bug)
Scientific Name: Chrysoperla spp. (representative of Family Chrysopidae)
Order & Family: Order Neuroptera, Family Chrysopidae
Size: 3 mm to 10 mm in length
Natural Habitat
Found on a variety of plants, shrubs, and trees in gardens, meadows, and agricultural areas.
Diet & Feeding
Carnivorous; it primarily feeds on aphids, mites, scale insects, and other soft-bodied garden pests.
Behavior Patterns
Larvae of some species use hooked hairs on their backs to attach remains of prey, lichen, and other debris to camouflage themselves from predators like birds and ants.
Risks & Benefits
Highly beneficial to ecosystems and gardens as a natural pest control agent. They are harmless to humans, though they may occasionally deliver a minor, non-toxic nip if handled.
Identified on: 12/27/2025