Beneficial insects (sometimes called beneficial bugs) are any of a
number of species of insects that perform valued services like pollination
and pest control. The concept of beneficial is subjective and
only arises in light of desired outcomes from a human perspective. In farming
and agriculture, where the goal is to raise selected crops, insects that hinder
the production process are classified as pests, while insects that assist
production are considered beneficial. In horticulture and gardening; pest
control, habitat integration, and 'natural vitality' aesthetics are the desired
outcome with beneficial insects.
Encouraging beneficial insects, by
providing suitable living conditions, is a pest control strategy, often used in
organic farming, organic gardening or Integrated
Pest Management. Companies specializing in biological pest control sell many types of beneficial insects, particularly for use
in enclosed areas, like greenhouses.
Types of beneficial insects
Some
species of bee are beneficial as pollinators, although generally
only efficient at pollinating plants from the same area of origin, facilitating
propagation and fruit
production for many plants. Also, some bees are predatory or parasitic, killing
pest insects. This group includes not only honeybees, but also many other kinds
that are more efficient at pollinating. Bees can be attracted by many companion
plants,
especially bee balm
and pineapple sage for honeybees, or apiaceae like queen anne's lace and parsley, for predatory bees.
Ladybirds
are generally thought of as beneficial because they eat large quantities of aphids, mites and other arthropods
that feed on various plants.
Other
insects commonly identified as beneficial include:
- Minute pirate bug
- Earwig
- Big-eyed bug
- Beneficial nematodes
- Assassin bug
- Damsel bug
- Mealybug destroyer
- Soldier beetle
- Green lacewing
- Syrphid fly
- Tachinid fly
- Ichneumon wasp
- Trichogramma wasp
Attractive plants
Plants
in the Apiaceae and Asteraceae families are general
valuable companions. Here are other plants that attract beneficial insects:
- Alfalfa
- Alyssum
- Borage
- Cilantro
- Cosmos
- Dandelion
- Dill
- Echinacea
- Fennel
- Hyssop
- Lupin
- Marigold
- Milkweed
- Nasturtium
- Parsley
- Phacelia
- Queen Anne's Lace
- Rose
- Rudbeckia
- Sunflower
- Wildflowers
- Yarrow
- Zinnia
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