If all the insects were to disappear from the earth, within 50 years all life on earth would end. If all human beings disappeared from the earth, within 50 years all forms of life would flourish - Jonas Salk Not all insects are pests.Here are some of the most beneficial insects you should avoid killing in your garden. If they're spotted in your garden, don't kill them. If you want to grow beautiful plants, don't kill off beneficial insects. Instead, let them live their lives without harming you. Most Useful and Beneficial Garden Insects You Should Avoid Killing 1. Praying Mantis A praying mantis eats grubs, bug, aphids, grass hoppers, crickets, and other small animals, helping keep the plants healthy in the garden. 2. Bees Bees are one of the most important pollinators. While feedingon the nectar of flowers, they pollinate them too. 3. Ladybugs (Ladybird) Ladybirds feed on the pests, eating up to thousands ofharmful insects including aphids, whitefly, scale, lice, and others. 4. Butterflies Butterflies perch upon flowers, drink their nectar, and carry pollens to fertilise others, thereby pollinating them. 5. Lacewings Lacewings are among the most effective predators of aphids and whiteflies. You need to repel ant colonies as they eat lacewing eggs . 6. Dragon Fly They help keep pest populations down by eating other flying insects and pests like mosquitoes, flies, mites, butterflies, and wasps. 7. Earthworms Earthworm castingshelp plants grow by providing them with nutrients and aerating the ground. They also help maintain the pH level balance. 8. Bumble Bees Bumble bees are large, hairy pollinators. They feed on nectar and pollinate the plants. 9. Spiders Most people are scared of spiders, but they're really helpful because they feed onmosquitoes, flies, hoppers, ants, aphids, and many other pests. 10. Ground Beetles They are nocturnal hunting insects that help keep plant pests under control by preying on them. 11. Assassin Bugs They use their sharp mouths to kill the different insects in the garden. 12. Hoverflies Hoverflies are beneficial flies in the garden because they eat pollen and help pollinate plants. They can kill pests such as caterpillers, beetles, aphids and thrips. 13. Soldier Beetles Soldier beetles can help control pests such as potato beetles, aphids, and caterpillars. 14. Robber Flies They kill insects and bugs that infest the plants. 15. Tachinid Fly It is an active hunter of gypsy moth caterpillar, Japanese beetle, squash bug, grasshopper, Mexican bean beetle, and green stinkbugs. 16. Dragonflies and damselflies These insects lay eggs on water and crucial role in keeping mosquitoes away. 17. Rough Stink Bug They stink because they secrete an unpleasant smell from their abdomens. They eat insects, including beetles, caterpillars, and aphids. 18. Aphid Midge Aphid Midge feeds on over 50 different types of aphids. They inject poison into the joints of the aphids legs and then devour them. 19. Braconid Wasp Braconid wasps prey on hornworm, squash bug, tent caterpillars, beetles, aphids, and stink bugs. These wasps are really useful for controlling pests around tomatoes. Next step Gardener services Maintenance gardener Setup gardener Balcony gardener Vegetable gardener Flower gardener Virtual garden consultation Landscaping services Landscape design Landscape garden maintenance Online nursery Organic pesticides and fertilizers Plant media Organic seeds Extra reading 10 plants to keep spiders out of your house 12 months flowering plants in India Nithya pushpa (Catharanthus roseus) Plant Insects Plants that attract butterflies Asian Butterfly bush (Buddleja asiatica) Happy Gardening! Dr. Vandana K.
