Mealybug Destroyer

Description:

Very tiny wee beastie I spotted among some aphids and ladybug larvae. Maybe 1/8" long! Took out my magnifying lens and saw it has 6 legs in the front, crawls like a caterpillar, with caterpillar like "prolegs" only at the very end. Hind end kinda hops along to keep up with the front. It's actually quite fast for a critter that size! Fuzzy white "fingers" extend in rows along the length of it's body. Seemed to be eating the aphids? At first I thought "Wooly aphid", but it looks nothing like it as it turns out.

Habitat:

On a bush with aphids, fraternizing with ladybug larvae and ants. Typical aphid scene.

Notes:

This is a really cool little critter. Will it turn into something else? What are these white fingers? It's body? Secretions? Will it get bigger? Very fascinating. Sorry all I had was my Iphone. I'll remember to bring my real macro camera later and re-take some better shots.