Strange Little Bug

[jeffashman]

Saw this interesting little (5mm) bug on the back patio. Not sure what it is. Looks like it has stuff stuck all over it's back. UPDATE: On doing some research, it is a Green Lacewing larva. They cover themselves with junk that they find. Pretty interesting.

may25202201 by Jeff Ashman, on Flickr

may25202202 by Jeff Ashman, on Flickr

 

[Jeff15]

Wow, perhaps it's a Martian.....

 

[jeffashman]

Wow, perhaps it's a Martian.....

Turns out, it is a Green Lacewing larva...

 

[Jeff15]

I am glad you found what it was, I thought you might have stumbled on something alien........

 

[K9Kirk]

Nice find/capture, Jeff. I assume it covers itself so it doesn't appear as food to a bird or some other insect. At least that's what I would do in 'insect world'. It's a scary place full of real monsters.

 

[jeffashman]

Nice find/capture, Jeff. I assume it covers itself so it doesn't appear as food to a bird or some other insect. At least that's what I would do in 'insect world'. It's a scary place full of real monsters.

Thanks! While I was researching it, I found one pic where it had covered itself in ant pieces, heads, bodies, legs, along with bits of grass, leaves, and dirt. I think it probably qualifies as a monster in it's own right with those mandibles. Just thankful they are tiny, and not the size of, say a small car...

 

[Dean_Gretsch]

Very cool discovery and info. Never would have guessed it was alive. When I looked at your first pic, I thought you were pulling our leg and photographed dryer lint

 

[K9Kirk]

Thanks! While I was researching it, I found one pic where it had covered itself in ant pieces, heads, bodies, legs, along with bits of grass, leaves, and dirt. I think it probably qualifies as a monster in it's own right with those mandibles. Just thankful they are tiny, and not the size of, say a small car...

Yeah, like the giant carpenter ants in the old 1954 B&W movie, "Them."

 

[jeffashman]

Very cool discovery and info. Never would have guessed it was alive. When I looked at your first pic, I thought you were pulling our leg and photographed dryer lint

I thought the same, like it was a piece of berber carpet walking around.

 

[Photo Lady]

I thought the same, like it was a piece of berber carpet walking around.

thats what i was thinking..