Control insect pests in your garden with beneficial insects - the natural organic way.

Not all bugs are bad. There are many beneficial insects that prey on pests in gardens, flower beds and in landscapes. Attracting and keeping beneficial insects in attendance are important to insect pest management so that pesticide sprays are unnecessary. Beneficial insects include predator bugs, parasites, and pollinators.

Common Predatory Beneficial Insects

(This is by no means a complete list)

Assassin Bugs

Description: Assassin bugs are about 3/4 of an inch long with a flattened body, narrow head, and solid curving beak. Nymphs are similar to the adults, but are smaller and wingless.

Preys on: Assassin Bugs are general predators that prey on many types of insects, including flies and caterpillars.

How to Attract: These bugs are naturally present in most gardens.

Bigeyed Bugs

Description: True to its name, this is a small bug with big eyes. They have block spots on their heads and thoraxes. They move quickly. The nymphs are similar to adults, but are wingless.

Preys on: Bigeyed Bugs prey on aphids, leafhoppers, plant bugs, spider mites, and small caterpillars in field crops and orchards.

How to Attract: Bigeyed Bugs are attracted to soybeans, pigweed and goldenrod.

Braconid Wasps

Description: The adults are very slender with threadlike waists. They can be black or brown. They lay their eggs on the prey and the larvae, which are small cream colored grubs, feed on or in the insects.

Preys on: These wasps prey on codling moths, hornworms, cabbage worms, elm bark beetles, aphids, corn borers, armyworms, and other insects.

How to Attract: Braconid Wasps are attracted to nectar producing plants that have small flowers such as dill or parsley. These bugs are sold commercially, but try attracting them with flowers before resorting to purchasing.

Ground Beetles

Description: Large beetles that are brown or blackish-blue in color. Their larvae are black or brown grubs with 10 sections and taper toward the rear.

Preys on: There are over 2,500 species of ground beetles that feed on slugs, snails, cutworms, cabbage root maggots, Colorado potato beetle larvae, gypsy moths, and tent worms.

How to Attract: Attract ground beetles by providing permanent perennial beds for them to live in. They prefer places to hide and groundcovers. In orchards, plant a groundcover of white clover.

Hover Flies

Description: These flies like to hover over flowers. They are yellow and black striped or white and black striped. The larvae are a translucent green or grey.

Preys on: The larvae prey on many species of aphids.

How to Attract: Hover flies are attracted to nectar and flower producing plants.

Lacewings

Description: Lacewings have netted wings that look like lace. Their bodies have small heads and are green or brown in color. The larvae is a mottled brown or yellow.

Preys on: Lace wings are general predators that feed on a variety of insects.

How to Attract: Attract Lacewings with nectar and pollen producing plants. Provide a water source. These bugs are sold commercially, but try attracting them with flowers before resorting to purchasing.

Lady Bugs

Description: Lady bugs are shiny round beetles that vary in color from red with black dots to black with red spots. The larvae have short spines and knoblike projects coming off its body.

Preys on: Lady bugs prey on a variety of insects including aphids, mealy bugs, spider mites, scales, and other soft body insects.

How to Attract: Attract these bugs with nectar and pollen producing plants. These bugs are sold commercially, but try attracting them with flowers before resorting to purchasing.

Nematodes

Description: Beneficial nematodes are microscopic worms and parasites.

Preys on: Beneficial nematodes help control root weevils, crown borers, and corn rootworms. They also break down organic material.

How to Attract: Beneficial nematodes are sold commercially.

Praying Mantid

Description: Adult praying mantids are large, green or brown, long insects with big eyes. The nymphs are similar to adults, but are wingless.

Preys on: Praying Mantids prey on just about all insects, including other beneficial insects and their own species.

How to Attract: Provide sites for over-wintering eggs by planting perennial beds. To protect native species, avoid purchasing mantids.

Spined Soldier Bug

Description: Adult spined soldier bugs are black speckled, have pointy shoulders, and have a shield shaped body. The nymphs are similar to adults, but are wingless.

Preys on: These bugs prey on caterpillars, grubs, armyworms, soft larvae, and Mexican bean beetle larvae.

How to Attract: Provide shelter by planting permanent perennial beds. These bugs are sold commercially, but try attracting them with flowers before resorting to purchasing.

Tachinid Flies

Description: Tachinid flies look like houseflies. They can be grey, brown, or black. The larvae are maggots that feed inside a host.

Preys on: Tachinid flies prey on cutworms, army worms, tent caterpillars, cabbage loopers, gypsy moth larvae, sawflies, sting bugs and squash bugs.

How to Attract: Attract these bugs with nectar and pollen producing plants. Do not destroy caterpillars with white eggs on their backs. These will kill the pest and hatch and provide more flies.