As gardeners, we are often tempted to think of all insects as bad, especially the less attractive insects. But there are plenty of beneficial insects that make your garden a well functioning ecosystem. Beneficial insects feed on pests, clean up debris and help pollinate. That's why it is so important to not spray insecticides randomly. You do not want to kill all the good guys, too. If you spot a pest, like aphids, wait awhile and see if any beneficial insects jump in to take care of the problem for you. Hopefully, they will stick around.
1. Syrphid or Hover Flies
Photo: Susan Ellis, Bugwood.org
These little guys masquerade as bees, but they are actually flies. You can tell the difference by the wings; Syrphid flies have only 2. The adults actually do hover in mid-air, before darting off. It’s the larvae that do the actual feasting on aphids, while the adults spend their time flitting from flower to flower and aiding pollination.
2. Lady Beetles or Ladybugs
Photo: Peggy Greb. Bugwood.org
These beetles and their alligator looking larvae can virtually vacuum the aphids, mealy bugs and spider mites out of your garden. Not all lady beetles are beneficial, but these Spotted Pink Lady Beetles are munching on Colorado potato beetle eggs.
3. Parasitic Wasps
Photo: Reyes Garcia III. Bugwood.org
There is no need to fear these wasps; they have no interest in hurting you. There are several species of parasitic wasps that inject their eggs into other insects and the larvae eat their way out. Perhaps you’ve seen parasitic wasp larvae poking out of a tomato hornworm.
4. Green Lacewing
Photo: Clemson University - USDA Cooperative Extension Slide Series, Bugwood.org
One of the prettiest beneficial insects, this delicate little insect with the large, translucent wings can devour a deceptively large amount of soft bodied pests, like aphids, Scale and thrips. Their larvae can even help out with caterpillars.
5. Ground Beetles
Photo: Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org
