Junk Bug (Green Lacewing Larva / Trash Bug)

Found on plant foliage in gardens, fields, and forests where aphids and other soft-bodied pests are abundant.

Carnivorous predator; feeds voraciously on aphids (earning them the nickname 'Aphid Lions'), mealybugs, mites, thrips, and insect eggs.

Larvae of certain lacewing species construct a camouflage shield on their backs using debris, lichen, and the hollowed-out exoskeletons of their prey. This protects them from predators like birds and ants while they hunt.

Highly beneficial to humans as biological pest control in gardens and agriculture. They pose no significant risk, though they may deliver a perceptible but harmless nip if handled.