1. Natural Enemies

2. Biological Control The use of living natural enemies to control pests.
Includes:
Predators
Parasitoids
Pathogens

3. Predators Insect, mite or spider that attacks & feeds on its prey
Kill & consume more than one victim to complete development

4. Modes of Predation
Active Search
Ambush
Lures
Traps

5. Parasitoid
An organism that lives in or on the body of its host, at least during a part of its lifecycle
Kill & consume less than or equal to one victim in order to complete development
Parasitized aphids
Healthy aphids

6. Types of Parasitoids
Endoparasitoid
Ectoparasitoid

7. Endoparasitoid Develops inside the host
Associated with hosts in both concealed and exposed sites

8. Ectoparasitoid Develops outside of host
Typically associated with hosts in “protected” sites (I.e., tunnels, leafmines, rolled leaves)

9. Pathogens
Viruses
Bacteria
Fungi

10. Pathogens Process: Examples: Adhesion of spore to host cuticle
Spore germination
Penetration of the cuticle
Growth in hemocoel
Insect death
Examples:
Beauveria bassiana
Metarhizium anisopliae
This is a cabbage white butterfly with the effects of Bacillus thuringiensis

11. Predators and Parasitoids

12. Ants Social insects Predators
May tend aphids or other honeydew producing insects
Feed on sugars, fats, proteins and honeydew

13. Earwigs ¼” to 1” long Flattened body Pale to dark brown
Forceps-like cerci used to capture prey or defend themselves
Predators

14. Green Lacewings
Adults generally eat aphids, honeydew, nectar and pollen
Larvae are predators
They are commonly found on grass, weeds, cultivated row crops and shrubs

15. Green Lacewing Larvae Larvae are elongate
Large, sickle-shaped mandibles, inject a paralyzing venom
Feed on eggs and immature stages of aphids, caterpillars, leafhoppers, mealybugs, moths, spider mites, thrips and whiteflies

16. Green Lacewing Adult
Adults are greenish white with copper-colored eyes
About ¾” in length
Feed mostly on aphids, honeydew, nectar or pollen

17. Beetles
Adults and larvae of some species are predators

18. Ladybird Beetles
Both adults and larvae prey on aphids, scale insects, mealybugs, mites and other soft-bodied insects

19. Adult Ladybird Beetles
Oval shaped
Black with yellow or red markings OR orange or reddish with black markings
Range from 1/16” to 1/2” long

20. Ladybird Beetle Larvae
Larvae are elongate, somewhat flattened & covered with spines
Usually dark or black with brightly colored spots or bands
Some are white in color and resemble mealybugs

21. Rove Beetles Larvae and adults of most species are predators
Adults are brown or black, slender, with stubby wings
Larvae resemble adults
Prey on aphids, springtails, nematodes and fly maggots

22. Ground Beetles Larvae and adults of most species are predators
Adults are dark colored, often metallic
Larvae are elongate, dark brown or black
Prey on aphids, other beetles, chinch bugs, fly eggs, some caterpillars and moths

23. Praying Mantids Usually over 2” in length Brown or green in color
Prey on many different insects, including other beneficials

24. Minute Pirate Bugs
Small, oval, flattened, and black with white markings
Nymphs and adults are predators
Prey on corn earworms, small caterpillars, insect eggs, leafhopper nymphs, spider mites and thrips

25. Big-eyed Bugs
Gray, brown, black or tan with tiny spots, and bulging eyes
Prey on eggs and immature aphids, armyworms, hornworms, corn earworms, leafhoppers, lygus bugs, mealybugs, psyllids, spider mites and thrips

26. Stink Bugs Usually oval or shield-shaped
Brown, green or gray, many brightly colored
Prey on many insects, especially caterpillars

27. Stink Bugs Beneficial forms Plant feeders
Spines projecting from “shoulders”
Short, stout beaks
Plant feeders
Round “shoulders”
Long, thin mouth parts

28. Robber Flies ¼ to 1¼” in length
Face is usually very hairy with a groove between the eyes
Prey on many insects including beetles, grasshoppers, bees, leafhoppers, wasps and other flies

29. Syrphid Fly Adults Adults are bee mimics
Feed on pollen and aphid honeydew
Female will lay hundreds of eggs in an aphid colony, using honeydew as an ovipositional stimulant

30. Syrphid Fly Larvae
Some larvae are grayish or greenish with a slug-like appearance
Each larva can eat hundreds of aphids

31. Wasps Various sizes Slender, brown or black with a constricted waist
Fairly host-specific; most pests have a complex of parasitoids

32. Predatory Mites Often red or orange Legs are longer than spider mites
Front legs extended forward
Commonly attack two- spotted spider mites

33. Spiders 8 legs, 2 body parts Predators Hunt Spin webs Ambush
Crab spiders blend into their background to capture their prey
Trap door spider digs a hole in the ground and then covers it to create a trap door to get its prey
Orb weavers spin webs to capture food
The jumping spider will stalk and jump on its prey to capture unexpecting insects

34. Vertebrate Animals
Armadillos
Birds
Fish
Raccoons
Snakes
Squirrels

35. Photos: University of Florida
Authors: Jay Cee Turner, University of Florida Dr. Eileen A. Buss Dr. Norm Leppla
Photos: University of Florida
Entomology and Nematology Department
Copyright University of Florida 2002