Check out the camouflage on this green lacewing larva (family Chrysopidae) I found on the boardwalk! Some larvae of this family are debris carriers, collecting debris and food remains on their backs to hide from birds and perhaps sneak their way into aphid colonies! - Randi Bowman, Research Intern #CorkscrewSwampSanctuary #AudubonFL #invertebrates | Audubon's Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary

Lacewing larvae are often called "aphid lions" because they are known for attacking and eating aphids. They use their sickle-shaped, hollow mandibles to pierce prey and suck out their body fluids. Adult lacewings have net-like, lacy wings that are held like a tent over their back. Bird cherry-oat aphids are pests of small grains such as wheat, oats and barley. They damage plants by using their piercing-sucking mouthparts to feed on plant sap. More importantly for growers, these aphids vector Bar