Junk bug (Green lacewing larva)

Natural Habitat

Found in gardens, forests, and agricultural fields on various plants and trees.

Diet & Feeding

Carnivorous; they primarily eat aphids, mites, thrips, and other small soft-bodied insects.

Behavior Patterns

Notable for 'masking' themselves by carrying a pile of debris, such as dust, plant fibers, and the dead carcasses of their prey, on their backs for camouflage and protection.

Risks & Benefits

Highly beneficial as biological pest control for gardens and farms. They pose no risk to humans, though they might occasionally deliver a minor, harmless nip if handled.

Identified on: 3/25/2026