Junk bug (Green lacewing larva)

Natural Habitat

Gardens, agricultural fields, and low-growing vegetation

Diet & Feeding

Carnivorous; feeds primarily on aphids, mites, scale insects, and other soft-bodied garden pests

Behavior Patterns

The larvae carry debris, such as dust, bark, and carcasses of their prey, on their backs for camouflage and protection from predators. They are active hunters known for their voracious appetite.

Risks & Benefits

Extremely beneficial to ecosystems and agriculture as biological pest control; harmless to humans, though they may occasionally deliver a sharp but harmless nip if handled.

Identified on: 12/31/2025