Debris-carrying Lacewing Larva

Natural Habitat

Variable; often found on plants, trees, and shrubs where aphids are present.

Diet & Feeding

Predatory; primarily consumes aphids, mealybugs, scale insects, and other small, soft-bodied arthropods.

Behavior Patterns

Larvae of some species camouflage themselves by carrying debris, such as parts of their prey, lichen, or plant matter, on their backs to avoid predators.

Risks & Benefits

Highly beneficial to agriculture and gardening as they are aggressive predators of common plant pests. They pose no significant risk to humans, though they can occasionally bite if handled clumsily (harmless but slightly painful).

Identified on: 3/9/2026