Junk bug (Green lacewing larva)
Scientific Name: Chrysoperla rufilabris
Order & Family: Neuroptera: Chrysopidae
Size: 3 mm to 10 mm
Natural Habitat
Gardens, orchards, forests, and fields on leaves or stems
Diet & Feeding
Aphids, mealybugs, scale insects, and other soft-bodied pests
Behavior Patterns
Larvae carry debris and insect carcasses on their backs for camouflage; they are active hunters during the day.
Risks & Benefits
Highly beneficial to gardens as natural pest control; may occasionally bite humans with a minor, non-toxic pinch if handled.
Identified on: 12/31/2025