photoartflightFirst Junk Bug of the Season
I had not seen any Junk Bugs in our gardens so far this year until now. Some call them garbage bugs, or even trash bugs. We noticed this one working it’s way around the plants when were checking our gardens. It is actually a lacewing larva or sometimes they just get called a “junk bug” because of the junk it carries around on its back for disguise. The junk bug is actually a killer. The heap is often made up of dead bodies from the prey it eats. The junk bug, also known as an aphid lion, is a voracious predator, common around the world. The bug is actually the larval stage of the green lacewing, a delicate and lovely flying insect. The tiny larvae comes up with all sorts of creative disguises to confuse predators. I have seen these in other gardens, but never tried to find out what they were until a couple of years ago. But they do make interesting photo subjects!
photoartflight 
What an exciting creature.
They are different & interesting! If you did not know what they are you would probably not see them as a bug!
I didn’t know it excisted, at least not here in Belgium 🙂
Hi! I do not know if it is in Belgium! But they are here and are interesting photo subjects!😊
A fun subject, indeed! One of my most popular posts from many years ago was of one of these that had stuck white fluff all over it. I was surprised when that fluff moved and I saw it had legs!
It is an interesting subject and fun to photograph! The first time I saw one we were working in the garden and noticed it was on a different plant after I first noticed it! Then I saw it move! Then what is this! Never knew it existed before that!
Excellent photos, Reed! Extraordinary looking insect.
Thanks so much Belinda! They are interesting to photograph & watch!
I’ve not seen your junk bug lacewing larva but I have seen Emerald Moth larvae-Synchlora aerata that cover themselves with bits of debris.Just the opposite of your carnivorous lacewing arva, they are trying to not be eaten. Nice iPhone study of these, Reed.
Thanks so much Steve! I guess I am getting old & lazy and seem to use my iPhone more than my cameras lately!
I’m not quite there yet but not too far behind you, Reed. 🙂
It seems the older we get the faster time seems to go!😊