Junk bug or Trash bug (Green Lacewing Larva)
Scientific Name: Chrysoperla spp. (Larval stage)
Order & Family: Neuroptera; Chrysopidae
Size: Approximately 2 to 8 mm (excluding the pile of debris)
Natural Habitat
Gardens, agricultural fields, and wooded areas, typically on leaves or stems of plants where aphids are present.
Diet & Feeding
Carnivorous; they primarily eat aphids, but also consume mealybugs, thrips, mites, and other soft-bodied insects.
Behavior Patterns
These larvae exhibit camouflaging behavior by collecting debris, including empty exoskeletons of their prey, lichen, and dirt, onto bristles on their back. This 'trash' pile hides them from predators.
Risks & Benefits
Highly beneficial to gardens and ecosystems as voracious predators of pests like aphids. They are harmless to humans, although they can give a very mild, noticeable nip if handled.
Identified on: 2/26/2026