Beneficial InsectsBeneficial Insects

Commonly Commonly Found in the Found in the Garden and Garden and LandscapeLandscape

If you build it……If you build it……

. . . . They will come!!!

Attracting BeneficialsAttracting Beneficials

Complex vegetation Complex vegetation structurestructure can provide can provide more niches for natural more niches for natural enemies.enemies.

Light, shelter, and other Light, shelter, and other abiotic factorsabiotic factors also play also play a role.a role.

Flowers!Flowers!

Complex Vegetation Complex Vegetation StructureStructure

Canopy Trees Understory

Trees

Groundcover

Turf

Shrub

Euonymus scale

• Euonymus plants surrounded by flowering plants had less scale compared to those surrounded by bark mulch (Hanks and Sadof 2001).

Flowers help attract beneficial insects

Flowers that Attract Flowers that Attract Beneficial InsectsBeneficial Insects

Small flowersSmall flowers– Dill, Fennel, BasilDill, Fennel, Basil

– Yarrow, SedumYarrow, Sedum

– Goldenrod, Joe Pye WeedGoldenrod, Joe Pye Weed

Daisy flowersDaisy flowers– Purple Coneflower, CosmosPurple Coneflower, Cosmos

OthersOthers– Salvias, Mints, Asclepias, Salvias, Mints, Asclepias,

Zinnia Zinnia

Limit Pesticide Use!Limit Pesticide Use!

Pesticides kill beneficials Pesticides kill beneficials too!too!

Pests return quicker Pests return quicker than beneficialsthan beneficials

Insecticidal Soap, Insecticidal Soap, Horticultural Oil, and B.t. Horticultural Oil, and B.t. are less toxic to natural are less toxic to natural enemiesenemies

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Euonymus Cherry Pine

Less than 4 years

Greater than 4 years

No

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pla

nts

infe

sted

w

ith

sca

le in

sect

sLandscapes under cover sprays for longer periods of time have higher levels of scale insect infestation.

Assassin Bugs

Assassin bugs prey on aphids, caterpillars, beetles, leafhoppers,and other insects. They

do not like to be handled.

Big-eyed Bugs

These small insects with big eyes attackspider mites, thrips, aphids and other

insect eggs.

Damsel Bugs

Damsel bugs resemble assassin bugs.They feed on aphids, leafhoppers,

mites and caterpillars.

Green Lacewings

Green or brown, the lacewing, or aphid lion,is known to eat as many as 600 aphids.

larva adult

eggs

Ground Beetles

These beetles arelarge, dark, and sometimes metallic.They feed along the ground on soft-bodiedinsects, especially at night. They are usuallyfast moving.

Lady Beetles

Lady beetle adults and larvaeattack aphids, mites, insect

eggs and small insects.

adult

larva

Tiny Parasitic Wasps

Micro- and mini-wasps can sting and lay eggs in caterpillars, aphids or insect eggs. The larvae

consume their prey from within.

Braconid wasp cocoons

Tachinid Flies

Heavily bristled tachinid flies lay eggs on

caterpillars, beetle larvae, and bugs.

Parasitized monarch caterpillar and chrysalis

Predaceous Stink Bugs

Many stink bugs are pests, but predaceous

stink bugs feed on beetles and caterpillars

both as adults and colorful nymphs.

Predatory Mites

Predatory mites move rapidly to catchand feed on their plant-eating counterparts.

They are often white, tan, or orange.

Soldier Beetles

Adults resemble firefliesand are attracted to

milkweed,hydrangea, and goldenrod.

They eat aphids, caterpillars,mites, grasshopper eggs, and

small beetles.

Syrphid Flies

adult

larva

The harmless adults resemble bees, but the small larvae consume many aphids.

Minute Pirate Bug

These bugs attack thrips, spider mites,aphids and small insects.

larva

Wasps, Hornets, & Spiders

Though often considered pests, these insects feed heavily on caterpillars, flies and other

soft-bodied insects.

Praying Mantids

Mantids have a goodreputation, but eat

relatively few insectsin the garden.

Carolina Mantid Egg Case

Chinese Mantid Egg Case

Chinese Praying MantisChinese Praying Mantis

Up to 5” long

Carolina MantidCarolina Mantid

Female

Male

Juvenile2” long when mature

Are Mantids Beneficial?Are Mantids Beneficial?

Green AnolesGreen Anoles

Native lizard – voracious insect eatersNative lizard – voracious insect eaters

Bug Eating Plants!Bug Eating Plants!

Pitcher Plants – Pitcher Plants – SarraceniaSarracenia speciesspecies

Venus Fly Trap – Venus Fly Trap – Dionaea Dionaea muscipulamuscipula

Grow in very poor, wet soilsGrow in very poor, wet soils

Get nitrogen from digesting Get nitrogen from digesting bugs!bugs!

Not a practical form of Not a practical form of insect control!insect control!

Next Week:Next Week:

Tues, Sept. 1, 9:30Tues, Sept. 1, 9:30– Extension Center, BurgawExtension Center, Burgaw– Plant Diseases and Diagnosing Plant ProblemsPlant Diseases and Diagnosing Plant Problems, ,

chapters 7 & 19chapters 7 & 19

Thurs, Sept. 3, 1:30 Thurs, Sept. 3, 1:30 – Poplar Grove PlantationPoplar Grove Plantation– Integrated Pest Management and Pesticide SafetyIntegrated Pest Management and Pesticide Safety, ,

chapter 9chapter 9