Community identification
Lacewing Larva (Junk Bug)
Family Chrysopidae
- Order & Family
- Neuroptera; Chrysopidae
- Size
- 3 mm to 10 mm (long, before covering themselves in debris)
Natural Habitat
Gardens, agricultural fields, and wooded areas worldwide.
Diet & Feeding
Carnivorous; primarily eats aphids, mealybugs, scale insects, and other soft-bodied pests.
Behavior Patterns
Known as 'junk bugs' because they pile the carcasses of their prey and other debris on their backs for camouflage and protection from predators. They are aggressive hunters with sickle-shaped mandibles.
Risks & Benefits
Highly beneficial to ecosystems and gardeners as natural pest control. While harmless to humans, they may occasionally provide a minor, non-toxic pinch if they land on skin.