Beneficial Insects You Want in Your Garden
Not every bug is a pest.
Many insects are working for you.
Lady Beetles
Both adults and larvae eat:
- Aphids
- Scale insects
- Small soft-bodied pests
Lady beetle larvae look very different from adults and are often mistaken for pests.
Lacewings
Lacewing larvae are aggressive predators.
They eat:
- Aphids
- Thrips
- Small caterpillars
- Mite eggs
Hover Flies
Adult hover flies resemble small bees.
Their larvae eat aphids.
Adults feed on nectar and pollen.
Parasitic Wasps
Tiny parasitoid wasps attack:
- Aphids
- Hornworms
- Caterpillars
- Whiteflies
They are among the most useful natural pest-control insects.
Praying Mantises
Mantises are predators.
They eat many insects—but they are not selective.
They may eat both pests and beneficial insects.
Ground Beetles
Ground beetles hunt:
- Slugs
- Caterpillars
- Soil-dwelling pests
They hide under mulch and debris.
Spiders
Spiders are not insects, but they are excellent garden predators.
Most should be left alone.
Bees
Bees pollinate:
- Squash
- Cucumbers
- Melons
- Fruit trees
- Flowers
Attract Beneficial Insects
Plant small-flowered plants such as:
- Dill
- Cilantro
- Sweet alyssum
- Mountain mint
- Yarrow
- Native flowers
Avoid Broad-Spectrum Insecticides
These products may kill beneficial insects along with pests.
GardenGrowz Tip
A garden with no insects is not a healthy goal.
A balanced garden has predators, pollinators, prey, and plants all interacting.