Yeah, leaving leaf coverage is great for all kinds of larvae. Leaving them alone also slows weeds from growing and as the leaves break down they fertilize the soil.
The modern problem is that there are not enough critters roaming around to naturally step on foliage to break them down.
Last year I hit my front yard with the mower on the highest setting to just crunch leaves a tad and take down the weeds a bit. I laid down red clover which I sort f regret, but it's able to be tall enough to poke through the leaves.