Junk bug (Green Lacewing Larva)

Natural Habitat

Found in gardens, forests, agricultural fields, and landscapes with high aphid populations.

Diet & Feeding

Aggressive predators; they primarily eat aphids but also consume mealybugs, scales, thrips, and other small insects.

Behavior Patterns

Notable for their unique camouflage of 'carrying' corpses of their prey and plant debris on their backs to hide from predators. They use curved, hollow mandibles to inject enzymes and suck out the prey's fluids.

Risks & Benefits

Highly beneficial to ecosystems and gardeners as biological pest control. They are harmless to humans, though they may occasionally deliver a painless minor pinch if handled.

Identified on: 3/12/2026