Beneficial insects are the predators and parasitoids that keep garden pests in check. This library explains how to recognize each one, what it eats, and how to protect it, using university extension sources and noting where they differ. The single most useful step is the same for all of them: avoid broad-spectrum insecticides, which kill the helpers along with the pests.
Beneficial insects covered so far
| Insect | Role | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Lady beetles | Predator of aphids and other soft-bodied pests | Larvae and adults both feed; spiny, alligator-like larvae |
| Green lacewings | Larvae (“aphid lions”) are predators | Delicate green adults; eggs on thin stalks |
| Hover flies | Larvae eat aphids; adults pollinate | Bee-like flies that hover; legless larvae among aphids |
| Parasitic wasps | Larvae develop inside pests | Swollen brown aphid mummies with a round exit hole |
How to protect all of them
- Grow a mix of shallow-flowered plants for nectar and pollen across the season.
- Accept a few pests so predators have something to eat.
- Leave some leaf litter and ground cover for shelter.
- Before spraying anything, identify the pest with the pest identifier, and plan flowers with the companion plant finder.
Also see the weed library for the other half of garden management.