Green Lacewing Larva (Junk Bug / Debris Carrier)
Scientific Name: Mallada signatus (and other species in Chrysopidae family)
Order & Family: Order Neuroptera; Family Chrysopidae
Size: 3mm to 10mm in length
Natural Habitat
Found in gardens, forests, agricultural fields, and often on low-lying vegetation or trunks.
Diet & Feeding
Mainly eats aphids, spider mites, mealybugs, and other small soft-bodied insects using sickle-like mandibles.
Behavior Patterns
Larvae carry a 'trash packet' of dead insect husks and lichen on their backs for camouflage. They are active hunters that use this debris to hide from predators like ants and birds.
Risks & Benefits
Highly beneficial as biological pest control for gardens. They do not carry diseases, though they may occasionally deliver a minor, non-toxic 'nip' if handled by humans.
Identified on: 2/4/2026