Junk Bug (Green Lacewing Larva)

Found globally in gardens, forests, and agricultural fields, often on the undersides of leaves.

Aggressive predators of soft-bodied insects like aphids, mites, thrips, and scale insects.

Called 'junk bugs' because they camouflaging themselves by attaching the drained carcasses of their prey and other debris to hooked bristles on their backs. They undergo complete metamorphosis: egg, larva, pupa, and adult.

Highly beneficial to ecosystems and gardeners as natural pest control. While harmless, larger larvae may occasionally nip human skin with their pincers if handled, causing minor irritation.