Junk Bug (Lacewing Larva)

Gardens, forests, agricultural fields, and occasionally indoors on plants; anywhere aphids or other soft-bodied prey are found.

Carnivorous predator; feeds primarily on aphids, mites, thrips, mealybugs, whiteflies, and insect eggs.

The larva covers its back with the empty exoskeletons of its prey, bits of lichen, and plant debris as camouflage to hide from predators and sneak up on prey; they are voracious hunters during this stage.

Generally beneficial as biological pest control due to their appetite for garden pests. They can bite humans if handled, causing a sharp but harmless nip, but pose no serious health risks.