
Community identification
Junk bug (Green lacewing larva)
Mallada signatus (Chrysopidae family)
- Order & Family
- Order Neuroptera, Family Chrysopidae
- Size
- 3 mm to 10 mm in length
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.