Junk bug (Green lacewing larva)

Natural Habitat

Gardens, agricultural fields, orchards, and wooded areas where prey is abundant.

Diet & Feeding

Predaceous; primarily eats aphids, mealybugs, scale insects, and other soft-bodied pests.

Behavior Patterns

Larvae are known as 'trash carriers' or 'junk bugs' because they pile the carcasses of their prey and other debris on their backs for camouflage and protection from predators.

Risks & Benefits

Highly beneficial to the ecosystem as they provide natural pest control in gardens; they are harmless to humans, though they may occasionally nip if handled.

Identified on: 6/25/2026