Bug Identifier
Green Lacewing Larva (Junk Bug)
Community identification

Green Lacewing Larva (Junk Bug)

Chrysopidae family (genus Ceraeochrysa)

Order & Family
Order: Neuroptera; Family: Chrysopidae
Size
Approximately 3mm to 10mm
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Gardens, forests, and agricultural fields worldwide

Diet & Feeding

Voracious predators of aphids, mites, scale insects, and other soft-bodied pests

Behavior Patterns

They are 'debris-carriers' that camouflage themselves by stacking the husks of their prey and other organic matter onto their backs; they are active hunters with sickle-shaped mandibles

Risks & Benefits

Highly beneficial for biological pest control in gardens and crops; they are harmless to humans, though they may occasionally give a tiny, non-venomous nip if handled