Gardening | Living

Beneficial Insects That Keep Your Garden Healthy

beneficial garden insects
Photo credit: iStock/Adehan Ahmad

Florida gardeners are keen on inviting beautiful insects to the landscape. We select host plants for the butterflies and pollinator plants for the bees and hope they’ll both come to stay. But in inviting the “good bugs” to your yard, don’t limit yourself to just two beneficial insects. A wide variety will help maintain a healthy balance in your landscape. And as a bonus, when the good bugs are there to keep the bad bugs in check, the need for pesticides is greatly reduced.

Many people recognize ladybugs or lady beetles as beneficial. The adults are oval-shaped, orange or reddish and usually have black spots or markings. Most are about 1/4 inch long. The larvae are elongated, flattened with small spines and usually dark or black with brightly colored spots or bands.

Read on for a few of our favorite underappreciated beneficial insects:

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Lacewings

Lacewings get their name from their transparent and many-veined wings. These bugs are muddy green or brown in color and about 3/4 inch in length. The adults may be predators, but it is the lacewing larvae that feed on aphids and other small insects and eggs. They are so voracious that they are nicknamed aphid lions.

See more: How to Choose and Plant the Best Tree for Your Space

Dragonflies

Dragonflies, also called “mosquito hawks,” consume mosquitoes and other flying insects. They are sensitive to pesticides, so their presence in your garden indicates a healthy, balanced ecosystem. Dragonfly larva, or “nymphs,” live underwater and can help to control mosquito larvae before they become a nuisance.

Green Lynx Spiders

The beneficial green lynx spider is known for being a predator of caterpillar pests in the landscape. These spiders are usually found on shrubs, weeds and foliage. Their bodies are vivid green with red spots and white markings. Their legs have long spines, making them easy to identify. Green lynx spiders have good eyesight and stalk their prey during daylight. They do not spin webs but instead hunt on the stems and leaves of plants. 

See more: 5 Easy Vegetables to Grow in Your Florida Garden

How to Protect Beneficial Insects in Your Landscape:

 Scout for pests often.

The earlier you catch pest problems, the easier they are to solve. Start with plants that have had insect problems in the past. Inspect the leaves, especially on the undersides. Look for sooty mold, caterpillar droppings or webbing on the leaves; these signs indicate there are insects feeding on the plants.

Keep calm and ID first.

If bugs trigger your gag reflex, it can be tempting to squish first and ask questions later. I would encourage you to take the time to identify it first; if your mystery bug is beneficial, killing it will do more harm than good to your garden’s ecosystem. Your county Extension office can help you identify insects.

Don’t spray preventively.

Spraying on a set schedule can be wasteful and will kill the beneficial insects along with the pests. Not all insect problems should be solved with insecticides. Many times, simply pruning the problem off or spraying with a strong blast of water will do. If these methods don’t control the problem, consider insecticidal soaps, horticultural oils and formulations of Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) as a starting point. Apply pesticides only when pest insects are present and causing significant damage.

About the Author: Wendy Wilber is the statewide Master Gardener Program coordinator and an environmental horticulture agent for UF/IFAS Extension.