beneficial insects - university of wisconsin–madison · insect diagnostic lab flies: in logs...

University of Wisconsin–Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab

Beneficial Insects

PJ Liesch UW-Madison: Insect Diagnostic Lab

[email protected] Twitter: @WiBugGuy

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What are Beneficial Insects?

!  Insects that provide ecosystem services to humans !  Benefits provided to humans by nature

!  Pollination !  Biological control !  Decomposition, nutrient recycling !  Etc.

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Pollinators !  Bees, wasps, beetles, moths, butterflies

!  Honey bees, bumble bees, solitary bees

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Pollinator Decline !  Pollinators, especially bees and butterflies in decline

!  Reasons: !  Habitat loss !  Diseases: protozoans, viruses, etc. !  Parasitic mites !  Interactions with pesticides

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What Can YOU Do? !  Use pesticides only when needed

!  Read the pesticide label; follow all directions

!  Apply insecticides early in the morning or in the evening

!  Minimize drift

!  Avoid applying pesticides to flowering plants

!  Be aware of your surroundings

!  “Weeds” can be food to pollinators!

!  Choose products that are less toxic to bees

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What Does the Label Say?

This product is highly toxic to honeybees and other bees exposed to direct treatment or residues on crops or weeds in bloom. Do not apply this product to target crops or weeds in bloom.

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What Can We Do? !  Use insecticides only when appropriate

!  Explicitly follow allow label directions

!  Make your yard and landscape pollinator friendly !  Diversity of flowers = diversity of insects !  Seasonal blooming patterns

!  Provide nesting habitat !  Google “Bee Hotel”

!  Educate yourself

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A-Series Publication X-Series Factsheet 8


Biological Control in the Landscape !  Predatory insects can be very common in the landscape

Predators !  Beetles !  True bugs !  Flies !  Lacewings and kin !  Yellowjackets and wasps !  Spiders

Parasites !  Wasps !  Flies !  Roundworms

(nematodes)

Pathogens !  Bacteria !  Fungi !  Viruses

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Predators: Beetles

Rove beetles

Ground beetles Firefly Larva (w/slug)

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Predators: Lady Beetles

Multicolored Asian Lady

beetle

(Harmonia axyridis)

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Predators: True Bugs

Minute Pirate Bug Damsel Bug

Assassin Bug Spined Soldier Bug Big Eyed Bug

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Predators: Flies

Hover Fly (Diptera: Syrphidae)

Robber Flies

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Predators: Lacewings & Kin

Lacewings

Dustywing

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Predators: Wasps

Bald Faced Hornet (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

Yellow Jacket (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

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Predators: Mites and Spiders

Predatory Mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Grass Spider (Above) Wolf Spider (Below)

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!  Usually specialists (only kill one or a few hosts) !  Can be ecto- or endo- parasites (external vs. internal) !  Same size or smaller than prey

!  Examples: !  Wasps !  Flies

Parasites 17


!  Many species known !  Tend to attack only a single specific host !  Some have been purposely released for biocontrol

Parasitic Wasps 18


Parasitic Wasps

Mummies – “parasitized aphid shell”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLtUk-W5Gpk

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Parasites: Flies

Pyrgotid Fly and May/June Beetle

Tachinid Flies

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Parasites: Roundworms (Nematodes)

!  Many species known, some commercially available !  Can usually infest many different hosts !  Can be very sensitive to environmental factors

!  UV light, moisture

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!  Some can be highly specific, others can infect many hosts !  Can be significantly influenced by weather

!  Wet, cool weather: more disease

!  Examples: !  Fungi !  Bacteria !  Viruses

Pathogens 22


!  Spread through spores !  Most require high humidity !  Some commercially available

Pathogens: Fungi 23


!  Some are commercially available !  Milky spore (Bacillus popilliae) !  Bacillus thuringiensis

Pathogens: Bacteria

Non-Infected

Milky Spore Infected

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!  Are highly specific !  Viruses exist for many insects, including pests such as

armyworms, black cutworm, and gypsy moth

Pathogens: Viruses 25


Common Decomposers Dung Beetles

(Aphodius sp. and others)

American Carrion Beetle (Nicrophilus americana)

Sexton or Burying Beetle (Nicrophorus sp.)

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Flies: In logs Crane Fly

•  Larvae 1 inch long, plump, grayish worms

•  Love moisture •  Adults look like gigantic mosquitoes (but can’t bite!)

Xylophagid Fly Larva

•  Dark, pointy head •  Just beneath bark

Fungus Gnat Larvae

•  Small whitish worms w/ black dot for a head

•  Only ¼ inch long •  In fungi and in rotting logs

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Common Beetles: In Logs Roundheaded Borers (Longhorned Beetles)

•  Only see mandibles sticking out of head •  Often have a “chunky” appearance

•  Similar to roundheaded borers •  Usually with wider “head”

Flatheaded Borers (Jewel Beetles)

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Questions?

PJ Liesch UW-Madison: Insect Diagnostic Lab

labs.russell.wisc.edu/insectlab/

[email protected] Twitter: @WiBugGuy

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beneficial insects - university of wisconsin–madison · insect diagnostic lab flies: in logs...

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