Beneficial Insects By: Marcie Baldiviez

Are all insects pests?  Not all insects are pests, in fact, many insects can be very beneficial to all of us! NO!!!

What is a Beneficial Insect? Insects that prey on harmful pests in the home & in agriculture production.

Who do they benefit???  Farmers  Homeowners  Nurseries  YOU!!!

How do they benefit ???  Save Money $$$  Improve plant quality  Decrease pesticide use  Strengthen plants  Maintain healthy plants  Pollination  Save time

2 Types of Beneficial Insects  Predators  Parasites

Predators  Organisms that kill & feed on their prey  Generally larger than their prey  Consume several-to-many prey over the course of their development

Parasites Parasites  Generally smaller to the same size as their hosts  Weaker than their prey  Lay eggs on or within a host insect  Immature larva use host for food over time  A parasite will use only one or a few insects for food

So who is beneficial??? Praying Mantis LacewingsGround Beetle Ladybug Honey Bee Small Wasps Assassin Bug Stinkbug

Praying Mantis  Predator  Sits & waits  Grabs prey with their modified front legs  Eats many pests  Change color according to their environment

Ladybug  Both adult & larvae ladybug are beneficial  Prey on aphids  Scales  Mites  Reduce Infestation

Ground Beetle  Common under logs & debris  Feed on a variety of insects Feeds on caterpillars that attack trees & shrubs!!!

Lacewing Both adults & larvae are predacious Feed on aphids, scales, mealybugs, mites, & insect eggs Found in grass, weeds, & on tree foliage Can eat 100 or more insects a day!!!

Honey Bee Great Pollinator Produces honey & beeswax Protects against pests

Assassin Bug Preys on other insects! Characterized by the elongated, narrow head with the 3 segmented beak folded under the head

Small Wasps & Stink Bug Very Small Preys on small pests Feeds on insects Characterized by disagreeable odor *Can be a pest to crops Wasp Stink Bug

Review of Beneficial Insects Benefit – Farmer & Homeowner Kill pests & Pollinate There are 2 types- Predators & Parasites A few examples are: Ladybug, Lacewing, & Honey Bee

The End Resources  ology/ornamentals/beneficials.html ology/ornamentals/beneficials.html ology/ornamentals/beneficials.html  ets/benefici/ ets/benefici/ ets/benefici/   yg/hyg-14.htm yg/hyg-14.htm yg/hyg-14.htm And Remember….Beneficial Insects are our Friends!!!