Junk Bug (or Trash Bug / Debris-carrying Lacewing Larva)
Scientific Name: Ceraeochrysa spp. or Leucochrysa spp. (Green Lacewing Larva)
Order & Family: Order: Neuroptera; Family: Chrysopidae
Size: Typically 6 to 10 millimeters (roughly 0.25 to 0.4 inches) in length, excluding the debris pile.
Natural Habitat
Typically found on plants, tree trunks, and sometimes structures in gardens and wooded areas where prey is abundant.
Diet & Feeding
Carnivorous predator. Feeds voraciously on soft-bodied insects like aphids, mealybugs, thrips, mites, and insect eggs.
Behavior Patterns
The larva covers its back with a 'backpack' of debris—which can include empty prey skins, lint (as seen in the photo), lichen, and plant matter—using hooked bristles on its back. This serves as camouflage and physical defense against predators like ants and birds.
Risks & Benefits
Generally beneficial. They pose no risk to humans (though they can pinch slightly if handled). They are excellent for natural pest control in gardens due to their appetite for aphids and other plant pests.
Identified on: 2/14/2026