Community identification
Green Lacewing Larva (Trash Bug)
Chrysoperla spp.
- Order & Family
- Neuroptera: Chrysopidae
- Size
- Approximately 1 mm to 10 mm in length
Natural Habitat
Gardens, agricultural fields, forests, and suburban landscapes worldwide
Diet & Feeding
Voracious predator of aphids, mites, scale insects, and other soft-bodied garden pests
Behavior Patterns
Many species carry debris, such as lichen and the carcasses of their prey, on their backs for camouflage; they are active hunters with sickle-shaped mandibles
Risks & Benefits
Highly beneficial as biological pest control; may occasionally nip humans if handled, but they are not dangerous