Explore 9 beneficial garden insects for a thriving garden
- Author: Saiqa Najeeb
- Last Updated On: August 11, 2023
Do you have any idea that there is an entire army of small but wonderful creatures that can transform your struggling patch of green into a thriving garden? Yes, there are a plethora of beneficial garden insects that will take your garden to another level.
This guide will introduce you to a range of beneficial garden insects that will offer countless benefits and help maintain the delicate balance of your garden.
Are you ready to explore these mighty creatures? Let’s get going!
Types of beneficial garden insects
The three categories of beneficial garden insects and mites are as follows:
Predators: They catch and consume other animals, like insects or mites. Ladybird beetles, lacewings, ground beetles, aphid midges (Aphidoletes), syrphid (hover) flies, and yellowjacket wasps are some of the predators. Insects that prey on other insects are called parasitoids. When parasitoids reach their immature stages, they eventually kill their host by growing on or within it.
Parasitoids: These organisms can attack their host at any stage (eggs, larvae, nymphs, pupae, and adults). The term “pollinator” refers to any insect that visits flowers to consume the nectar and pollen, such as honeybees, leafcutter bees, other wild bees, butterflies, moths, and other insects.
Pollinators: They move pollen between flowers of the same species and within them (pollination), which is crucial for the development of plant fruit and seeds.
1
Ladybird beetles
Appearance: The size, color, and pattern of numerous ladybird beetle species vary. Colors range from black to red to orange-red to almost yellow, depending on the species. The majority of species have colored markings or spots on their backs.
Body length: Adults have a body length of 1.0 to 5.0 mm, while mature larvae have a length of 1.0 to 7.5 mm.
Life Cycle: As adults, they overwinter. On the underside of leaves and branches, orange, elongated eggs are laid in groups. Typically, each year produces only one generation. Pests are consumed by both larvae and adults.
Insect Pests Attacked: Aphids, mites, whiteflies, mealybugs, scales, and other soft-bodied insects.
Monitoring: Inspect colonies of aphids for adults and larvae.
2
Lacewings
Appearance: Commonly occurring species of lacewings include one brown lacewing species, Hemerobius pacifus, and two green lacewing species, Chrysoperla carnea and Chrysopa oculata. White lacewing eggs can be found on long stalks on the underside of leaves or branches, either singly or in clusters. The only slight differences between the brown and green lacewing larvae are in the shape of their bodies and the brown lacewing’s propensity to turn its head side to side while walking.
Body length: Adults are 10.0–20.0 mm, while mature larvae are 6.0–10.0 mm.
Life Cycle: Chrysopa oculata overwinter as pupae. Chrysoperla carnea and Hemerobius pacificus overwinter as adults; Up to four generations per year, depending on temperature.
Monitoring: Check for feeding larvae on leaves and shoots with aphid or psylla infestations, or use limb taps.
Insect Pests Attacked: Aphids, whiteflies, thrips, leafhoppers, spider mites, mealybugs, psyllids, small caterpillars, scales, and insect eggs. Green lacewing larvae feed on insect pests. Brown lacewing larvae and adults both feed on pests. Green lacewings can be purchased commercially.
3
Syrphid (Hover) fly larvae
Appearance: Hoverfly larvae resemble flattened, legless maggots with tapered bodies and no distinguishable heads. They come in a variety of hues (yellow, green, and brown). Adults frequently visit flowers, hovering over them before landing to consume the nectar and pollen that are their only sources of nutrition. They frequently get mistaken for bees or wasps because of their similar coloring. In aphid colonies, hoverfly eggs are white, elongated, and have fine sculpting.
Body length: Adults have a body length of 8.0–15.0 mm, while mature larvae have a length of 10.0–15.0 mm.
Life Cycle: Depending on the species, they overwinter as larvae, pupae, or adults. eggs laid on plant parts with aphid infestations. Depending on the environment and location, several generations occur each year.
Insect Pests Attacked: Aphids, thrips, scales, and other small soft-bodied insects
Monitoring: Check for larvae that resemble maggots on leaves and shoots that have been infected by aphids. Adults often visit flowers.
4
Praying mantids
Appearance: Adults have a 5–10 cm length and can be green, brown, or yellow. In order to hold their prey while they consume it, mantids have an elongated thorax and grasping forelegs.
Life cycle: One generation every year. Overwinter as eggs in egg cases, which are attached to wood, bark, or other plant material.
Life Cycle: Many insects, including aphids, beetles, and flies, were attacked. Feeds on pests as well as being beneficial. Mantids grasp their prey with their spined front legs and hold them while they eat.
5
Minute pirate bug (Anthocoris spp., Orius spp.)
Appearance: Anthrocorid adults have smooth, flattened bodies and narrow, pointed heads. Their backs are marked with distinct, clear markings.
Body length: Adult body length is 2.0–4.0 mm, while mature nymph body length is 1.8–3.7 mm.
Lifecycle: Overwinter as adults. Activates early in the season. 3 to 4 generations are produced annually.
Insect Pests Attacked: Whiteflies, small caterpillars, aphids, spider mites, thrips, psyllids, and other insects were among the pests that were attacked.
Monitoring: Orchard limb taps will detect nymphs and adults.
6
Aphid midge (Aphidoletes spp.)
Appearance Adults of the predaceous midge look like this. Aphidoletes aphidimyza are tiny (3mm long), delicate, long-legged brown flies that are active at night and thus go unnoticed.
Body length: Adults have a body length of 3.0mm, while mature nymphs have a body length of 3.0mm.
Lifecycle: Overwinter as pupae in the soil. Aphids lay eggs in colonies. Every year, several generations are born.
Insect Pests Attacked: Aphids
Monitoring: Look for tiny orange maggot-like larvae or tiny paprika-like eggs in aphid colonies. It may be necessary to look beneath the aphids to find them.
7
Big-eyed bug (Geocoris spp.)
Appearance: Adults and nymphs are oval, slightly flattened, about 4 mm long, brownish or yellowish in color, with a wide head and large, bulging eyes.
Life Cycle: There are five nymphal instars. A single, oblong egg with a pale color is laid by females on a leaf. Soon after being laid, the egg develops reddish eyespots. Common on low-growing plants and crops.
Insect Pests Attacked: Flea beetles, insect eggs, mites, tiny caterpillars, and other bugs were among the pest insects attacked.
8
Predatory mites
Appearance: In British Columbia, the two most prevalent species of predatory mites are the western predator mite, Typhlodromus occidentalis (Nesbitt), and Zetzellia mali. They can be distinguished from their prey by their larger size, pear-shaped bodies, and translucent coloration. In contrast to pest mite eggs, which are round, their eggs are opaque and oval. Compared to pest mites, they move quickly and are extremely active.
Body length: Adults have a body length of 0.25 to 0.4 mm, while mature nymphs have a body length of 0.2-0.38 mm.
Life Cycle: Winter as adults during the life cycle. become active in the spring and, depending on temperature, give birth to several generations each summer.
Insect Pests Attacked: Spider mites, and fungus gnat larvae were the pest insects attacked. Monitoring: Visual leaf inspection or brushing of leaves for microscopic analysis.
9
Parasitic wasps
Appearance: The names of parasitic wasps typically correspond to their family names and come in a variety of sizes and shapes.
Aphids that have been parasitized (also known as “mummies”) have an inflated appearance, are frequently tan or black, and resemble hardened shells. When adult wasps have emerged from those, tiny round exit holes will start to appear in them. Some parasitic wasp larvae may leave their host, like caterpillars, and construct tiny white cocoons next to the host carcass where they will pupate.
Body length: Adults have a body length of 1.0-24.0 mm, while mature larvae have a length of 1.0-26.0 mm.
Life Cycle: Different species have different life cycles and annual generation rates.
Insect Pests Attacked: caterpillars, aphids,and whiteflies.
Monitoring: No monitoring strategy has been developed. Check aphid colonies for “mummies”.
Check out this short guide on Attracting Beneficial Bugs to Your Garden: A Natural Approach to Pest Control
10
Birds
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Garden birds can be both a blessing and a curse. Although you may accept their affinity for insects, when they start gorging on ripe blueberries and tomatoes, they start to become a nuisance. Row covers or bird netting can be draped over your plants to deter birds from eating them, but this tactic isn’t always feasible. Birds can be startled by noise, fluttering objects, and anything that looks like a predator.
Consider edging your lawn using strings attached to stakes, along with aluminum pie plates or discarded CDs. Birds may flee due to the loudness and sun flashing on the bright surfaces. Use a thin nylon line instead of a string if you want; it will hum and vibrate in the breeze.
Take Away!
As we come to the end, you have got to know about these awesome creatures. These beneficial garden insects perform invaluable roles by creating harmonious partnerships with nature.
You can pick the garden insects as per your garden needs and watch your gardening game soar in no time. It’s time to welcome these allies into your garden!
