Natural Enemies of Pests
Tachinid flies
Tachinid Flies
Order: DipteraFamily: Tachinidae
Description
Tachinid flies are parasites of various insect pests, including certain true bugs, beetle larvae, moths, grasshoppers, and sawflies. ...
Syrphid flies
Syrphid Flies
Order: DipteraFamily: Syrphidae
Description
Syrphid flies, commonly referred to as hover flies, are brightly colored yellow or orange flies with black markings that mimic bees or ...
Spiders
Spiders
Order: Araneae
Description
All spiders have two body segments, eight legs, and lack antennae. They typically have six to eight eyes arranged in two rows and modified mouthparts called ...
Predatory mites
Predatory Mites
Order: AcariFamily: Phytoseiidae
Description
Adult predatory mites have four pairs of legs and have pear- or teardrop-shaped bodies that lack antennae and wings. Compared to ...
Predatory bugs
Predatory bugs
Order: Hemiptera
Families: Reduviidae, Geocoridae, Anthocoridae, Pentatomidae, Nabidae
Description
Many species of true bugs are predators of insects and mites. Pests susceptible ...
Parasitoid wasps
Parasitoid Wasps
Order: HymenopteraFamily: Braconidae, Scelionidae, Ichneumonidae, Eulophidae, Aphelinidae, Trichogrammatidae
Description
The exact appearance of parasitoid wasps depends on the ...
Mantids
Mantids
Order: MantodeaFamily: Mantidae
Description
Mantids are uncommon in most of Colorado but are familiar insects to most gardeners. Mantids are relatively large insects that range in size ...
Lady beetles
Lady beetles
Order: ColeopteraFamily: Coccinellidae
Description
Adults and larvae of lady beetles primarily feed on aphids and can also attack leafhoppers, mites, scale insects, thrips, ...
Insect parasitic nematodes
Insect parasitic nematodes
Order: Rhabdita
Description
Insect parasitic nematodes are small worms that are abundant in soil and require an insect host to complete their life cycle. These worms ...
Ground beetles
Ground beetles
Order: ColeopteraFamily: Carabidae
Description
Ground beetles are generalist predators with powerful jaws that feed on nearly any soil-dwelling insect. There are many species of ...
Green lacewings
Green lacewings
Order: NeuropteraFamily: Chrysopidae
Description
Several species of green lacewing are found in gardens and field crops in Colorado. Lacewing larvae are voracious predators ...
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Purchasing Insect Predators and Parasites
- Several inset predators and parasites are available for purchase. These include lady beetles, praying mantids, fly parasites, trichogramma wasps, green lacewings, and others.
- Certain insect pathogens, such as Bacillus thuringiensis, and entomopathogenic nematodes, are also frequently used in biological control. Augmentative biological control (i.e., releases of natural enemies) can be especially effective in small-scale production and in greenhouse pest management.
- In the yard and garden, it is important to recognize naturally occurring insect predators and parasitoids. Before making insecticide applications, always check plants to see if the existing beneficial organisms are abundant enough to provide control.
The Use of Flowering Plants by Beneficial Insects
- Many insects that are important for pest management have special food needs during their adult stage.
- The availability of flowering plants that provide these supplementary foods can increase the beneficial activity for natural enemies. See factsheet for a list of plants that are known to have high visitation by beneficial natural enemies.
Many insects, such as lady beetles, green lacewings, and parasitic wasps, feed on pollen and nectar or honeydew, which allows them to survive longer and produce more progeny. These alternative resources are important in maintaining different populations of natural enemies when prey is scarce. The availability of flowering plants that provide these supplementary foods can increase the beneficial activity of natural enemies.
CSU Extension Fact Sheets
View CSU Extension’s fact sheets for your reference.