Beneficial Insects By: Marcie Baldiviez
Jan 04, 2016
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!!!