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10 Beneficial Bugs for the Garden

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Published on Organic Gardening(http://www.organicgardening.com)

Top 10 Beneficial Bugs for the Garden

Created 2011-12-08 11:01

Aphid Midge

The larvae of this tiny, long-legged fly feed on more than 60 species ofaphids by paralyzing their prey with toxic saliva. Pollen plants will bringaphid midges to your garden.

Photo credit: Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org

BraconidWasps

The adult femof the speciesinjects its egginto host insecThe larvae thefeed inside thehosts, whichinclude moth abeetle larvaeand aphids. T

host dies oncethe larvae havcompleteddevelopment.Grow nectarplants with smflowers, such dill, parsley, w

carrot, and yarrow, to bring them to your garden.

Damsel Bugs

Damsel bugs feed on aphids, small caterpillars, leafhoppers, thrips, andother pesky pests. Collect damsel bugs from alfalfa fields, using a sweepnet, and then release them around your site.

Photo credit: Frank Peairs, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org

Ground

Beetles

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The nocturnalground beetlea voraciouspredator of slusnails, cutworcabbagemaggots, andother pests thlive in yourgardens soil.One beetle lar

can eat morethan 50 caterpillars! Plant perennials among garden plants for stable habitats, or white clover as a groundcover in orchards.

Lacewings

Both adult lacewings and their larvae eat aphids, caterpillars, mealybugsscales, thrips, and whiteflies. Angelica, coreopsis, cosmos, and sweetalyssum will bring lacewings to your garden.

Photo credit: Frank Peairs, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org

Lady

Beetles

Adult ladybeetles eataphids, mitesand mealybugand their hunglarvae do evemore damagegarden pests.

Plant angelicacoreopsis, dillfennel, andyarrow to attrathem.

Minute PirateBugs

The quick-moving, black-and-white patterned minute pirate bugs will attaalmost any insect. Goldenrods, daisies, alfalfa, and yarrow will attract thebugs.

Photo credit: Bradley Higbee, Paramount Farming, Bugwood.org

Soldier

Beetles

The soldierbeetle feeds oaphids,caterpillars, another insects,including

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harmless andbeneficialspecies. Attrathis flying inseby plantingcatnip,

goldenrod, and hydrangea.

Photo credit: Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org

Spined Soldier Bug

The spined soldier bugs pointed shoulders distinguish it from the peskistink bug. Plant permanent beds of perennials to provide shelter for thispredator of hairless aterpillars and beetle larvae.

Photo credit: Russ Ottens, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org

Tachinid

Flies

Tachinid flylarvae burrowtheir way intomanycaterpillars,destroying thegarden pestsfrom the insidePlant dill,parsley, sweeclover, and otherbs to attracadult flies.

Photo credit: Whitney

Cranshaw, Colorado S

University, Bugwood.o

Learn more about how to attract beneficial insects to the garden.

Source URL: http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/top-10-beneficial-bugs-garden

Links:[1] http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/aphids

[2] http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/parsley-0

[3] http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/pest-disease/pests

[4] http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/slugs

[5] http://www.organicgardening.com/self-sowing-beneficials

[6] http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/stink-bugs

[7] http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/beneficial-insects-your-gardens-most-powerful-allies