If you have seen moving debris make it's way across your plant and think you might be losing your mind, it's not you, it's the Green Lacewing larvae.
The tiny insect behind the disguise is also called Aphid Wolf or Aphid Lion aka Jung Bug. The larval state of Green Lacewing, they have a ferocious appetite for any soft body insect, namely, aphids. Hence, they are natural pest control and a welcomed guest to any garden, eliminating several hundreds per week.
These larvae measure approximately 7mm but they can certainly pile on quite a load. A mix of body parts from their previous meals and other organic matter they picked up along the way are held in place by long bristles on the side of their bodies. It is a camouflage against predators but also a disguise to get close to their prey.
Their hooked jaws make them an effective predator and once they catch their prey, they will inject a digestive enzymes and suck up their liquified organs. Watch this lacewing larva going about his day au naturale.
