Help me generate a list of Beneficial Bugs

BunjinEnt

Since the summer is upon us, the creepy crawlers are coming out in droves. I have noticed the usual suspects popping up in the garden so I decided to peruse the pest and disease forum for some tips. I have also noticed some bugs prowling around that don't seem to be gnawing on the art work nor do they come up as pests. I have seen them often hanging close to clusters of Aphids or Scale. Could these be predators? (I will post pix as soon as I can)

While researching the pros and cons of natural v. chemical pest control, there doesn't seem to be any preventative measures only treatment ex post facto. I see a lot of posts saying (and rightly so): Don't do this or that "it will also kill the good bugs".

My knowledge of beneficial bugs is somewhat limited to Ladybugs, Praying Mantis and spiders. (And it seems the local Blue Jay and some Grackels and Magpies have been having a go at the flies, et al) When I used the search engine to find 'beneficial bugs' I didn't find a comprehensive list (I could be wrong) or even specific species. With the help of the community, I would like to generate a list of these so-called beneficial bugs.



If you would like to help, please post the Name of the predator, regions they haunt, their favorite cuisine, Pix (if you can) and ways to attract or keep them.



Also, if you know a good bio-engineer who has developed a super-ninja-matrix-Scale-blaster that doesn't reproduce and self-destructs after 10,000 kills, please post the link.



Thanks,

BunjinEnt

Advertisement

BunjinEnt

The benefit from insects that help with pollination for fruiting and flowering species aside, as "purveyors of fine art" would any damage from pests mitigate the advantages of allowing predators to merely "control" pest populations in the biosphere of the bonsai garden/arboretum?

rockm

I rarelyl spray for insects, unless I have an infestation--aphids are excluded. They can be dealt with using a hose and a forceful upward spray of water. Also putting the tree where it gets ALOT of air circulation can also cut down on problems.

I let nature take it's course with insects, as things tend to balance out after a while. Spraying without any purpose can make the problem worse. Seeing bugs isn't a reason to spray. Seeing ALOT of bugs that are doing actual damage to your trees is a reason.

sauce

Google beneficial insects and you'll find all you need to know. Here are some examples: http://www.uidaho.edu/so-id/entomol...cal_Insects.htm http://www.thebeneficialinsectco.co...cal-control.htm http://www.ext.vt.edu/departments/e...t/jan94pr1.html

BunjinEnt

RockM,

You're preaching to the choir. I HATE to use chemicals. Spraying with poison gives me the creeps. My question was devil's advocate in an effort to gauge how much damage from pests is tolerable. This year I have found an excellent bio-system that has been keeping the aphids in check, but I found some scale that is curling some of the leaves on my otherwise healthy Malus.
I noticed, also, several colonies of aphids attacking my wisteria earlier in May, but held off on spraying to see if they would correct on their own. They virtually disappeared without me seeing any ladybugs or mantis, so there must be something knocking them out.
As far as I can tell from the threads I've read, Spider Mite and Scale have no natural predators?
Thanks for the links, sauce. I'll see if my mystery bug is in there and post it.

BunjinEnt

BunjinEnt

Aha!

The mystery bug seems to be lacewing larvae. I saw a grey black variety of this pic as well as a yellow and black variety.
Thanks sauce!

BunjinEnt

Attached Images

green_lacewing_larva-th.jpg (2.3 KB, 67 views)

hortriot

are they aphids on the top side of the main bug and to the bottom right of pic?

__________________
another day, another leaf

FlyBri

Gday Ent!

I think you are talking about something like Integrated Pest Management. Just so happens that The Good Lady works in the field of IPM - I'll see if I can pick her brain on this topic. (Unfortunately, our hours of activity don't co-incide too well at the moment, so don't hold your breath.)

Thanks and good luck.

Fly.

__________________
Australian Native Plants as Bonsai Study Group
ANPB Galleries
---
rrr.org.au - Support Free-Range Radio

Just_Mike

im with rock on this one, aphids are always evil...for the most part i havn't really worried too much about other pests unless ther is a specific and serious problem...i have never used chemicals and to this day dont see a need for such mesures...i just try to keep my trees as healthy as i can, good air, good sun, and correct watering...most pests dont care much for healthy trees...usually if there is a significant enough of an infestation, it wont be long before a predatory insect finds it and gets nice and fat from it...atleast thats what i have noticed...and i will never pay a dollar for bottled water either...some things are just toooooo clean to the point it comprises natural amunities...

...mike