Beneficial Insects

Many beneficial insects live in and around your lawn and garden. They can help maintain the health of your garden, attract birds, pollinate plants and prevent other pests from invading.

Beneficial insects fall into one of four categories:

• Predators are insects that feed on other insects such as ladybugs, praying mantis, lacewings, syrphid fly larvae, dragonflies and ground beetles.
• Parasitic insects are usually tiny wasps or flies such as the tachinid fly larvae that live in or on pest insects.
• Pollinators play an essential role in plant reproduction while feeding on nectar or pollen. Pollinators include bees, some flies, butterflies and moths.
• Soil-dwelling insects are vital for many aspects of a healthy soil.