Bug Identifier
Junk bug (Green lacewing larva)
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
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

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.