Beneficial Insects

By: Marcie Baldiviez

Are all insects pests?Are all insects pests?

Not all insects are pests, in fact, Not all insects are pests, in fact, many insects can be very beneficial many insects can be very beneficial to all of us!to all of us!

NO!!!

What is a Beneficial Insect?

Insects that prey on harmful pests in the home

& in agriculture production.

Who do they benefit???Who do they benefit???

FarmersFarmers HomeownersHomeowners NurseriesNurseries YOU!!!YOU!!!

How do they benefit ???How do they benefit ???

Save Money $$$Save Money $$$ Improve plant qualityImprove plant quality Decrease pesticide useDecrease pesticide use Strengthen plantsStrengthen plants Maintain healthy plantsMaintain healthy plants PollinationPollination Save timeSave time

2 Types of Beneficial 2 Types of Beneficial InsectsInsects

PredatorsPredators

ParasitesParasites

PredatorsPredators

Organisms that kill & feed on their Organisms that kill & feed on their preyprey

Generally larger than their preyGenerally larger than their prey Consume several-to-many prey over Consume several-to-many prey over

the course of their developmentthe course of their development

ParasitesParasites

Generally smaller to the same size Generally smaller to the same size as their hostsas their hosts

Weaker than their preyWeaker than their prey Lay eggs on or within a host insectLay eggs on or within a host insect Immature larva use host for food Immature larva use host for food

over timeover time A parasite will use only one or a few A parasite will use only one or a few

insects for foodinsects for food

So who is So who is beneficial???beneficial???

Praying Mantis

LacewingsGround Beetle

Ladybug

Honey Bee

Small Wasps

Assassin Bug

Stinkbug

Praying MantisPraying Mantis PredatorPredator Sits & waitsSits & waits Grabs prey with Grabs prey with

their modified their modified front legsfront legs

Eats many pestsEats many pests Change color Change color

according to their according to their environmentenvironment

LadybugLadybug

Both adult & Both adult & larvae ladybug larvae ladybug are beneficialare beneficial

Prey on aphidsPrey on aphids ScalesScales MitesMites Reduce Reduce

InfestationInfestation

Ground BeetleGround Beetle Common under logs & Common under logs &

debrisdebris Feed on a variety of Feed on a variety of

insectsinsects

Feeds on caterpillars that attack

trees & shrubs!!!

LacewingLacewing• Both adults &

larvae are predacious

• Feed on aphids, scales, mealybugs, mites, & insect eggs

• Found in grass, weeds, & on tree foliageCan eat 100 or more insects a

day!!!

Honey Honey

BeeBee

Great Pollinator

Produces honey & beeswax

Protects against pests

Assassin BugAssassin BugPreys

on other

insects!

Characterized by the elongated, narrow head with the 3 segmented beak folded under the head

Small Wasps & Stink BugSmall Wasps & Stink Bug

Very Small

Preys on small pests

Feeds on insects

Characterized by disagreeable odor

*Can be a pest to crops

Wasp

Stink Bug

ReviewReviewofof

Beneficial Beneficial InsectsInsects

Benefit – Farmer & Benefit – Farmer & HomeownerHomeowner

Kill pests & PollinateKill pests & Pollinate

There are 2 types-There are 2 types-

Predators & ParasitesPredators & Parasites

A few examples are: A few examples are: Ladybug, Lacewing, Ladybug, Lacewing, & Honey Bee& Honey Bee

The EndThe End

ResourcesResources http://www.ext.vt.edu/departments/entohttp://www.ext.vt.edu/departments/ento

mology/ornamentals/beneficials.htmlmology/ornamentals/beneficials.html http://entweb.clemson.edu/cuentres/ceshhttp://entweb.clemson.edu/cuentres/cesh

eets/benefici/eets/benefici/ http://www.co.broward.fl.us/ppi02109.hthttp://www.co.broward.fl.us/ppi02109.ht

mm http://ag.udel.edu/extension/information/http://ag.udel.edu/extension/information/

hyg/hyg-14.htmhyg/hyg-14.htm

And Remember….Beneficial Insects are our Friends!!!