LADYBIRD BEETLES (LADYBUGS)

  Ladybird Beetle Adult

 

Ladybird beetles, commonly referred to as ladybugs, are important predators. Both the larvae and the adults feed on many different soft bodied insects such as aphids, spider mites and mealy bugs. In some species of ladybird beetles, the adult seeks out sheltered places to survive the winter. In the early fall these can be relocated outside and they will find another place to spend the winter.

LACEWINGS

Lacewing Adult

Alton N. Sparks, Jr., University of Georgia, www.insectimages.org

 

Lacewings are delicate insects with membranous wings and large eyes. Both the larvae and adults are predators, but it is the larvae that will eat large numbers of aphids. For this reason, they are sometimes nicknamed “aphid lions”. In addition to aphids, lacewings will feed on spider mites, thrips, leafhoppers, small caterpillars and insect eggs. The larvae can be mistaken for garden pests but differ in that they often possess large jaws that are useful in capturing many insects.

PARASITIC WASPS

Ichneumonid wasp adult

David Cappaert, , www.insectimages.org

Braconid wasp pupa on host

When most people hear the term wasp they think of stinging yellowjackets, but there are many kinds of wasps, some of which prey on other insects. For example, the parasitic wasps are very specialized hunters that prey on many pest insects. When pesticides are applied to gardens, lawns and trees they can inadvertently kill parasitic wasps, resulting in more pest problems. Pesticides should be used as a last resort and, if pesticides are necessary, then they should be applied according to label instructions.

Parasitic wasps prey on many different insects including flies, beetles, aphids and other wasps. Using specialized ovipositors (a structure for egg laying) parasitic wasps lay their eggs on or inside the body of other insects. Even when prey are in cryptic locations such as under tree bark or in the soil, parasitic wasps can locate prey and using their long ovipositor parasitize prey.

DRAGONFLIES AND DAMSELFLIES

Damselfly

 

Dragonfly

 

Dragonflies and damselflies are nature’s helicopters, and are capable of flying forwards, backwards and side to side. As adults, they capture large numbers of mosquitoes, gnats, and midges. In their aquatic larval stage, they also consume vast quantities of mosquito larvae and other insect larvae. Despite stories of dragonflies biting or stinging, they are harmless.

Spiders

Though technically not insects, spiders are often discussed in the same breath as insects. Spiders are very effective predators. Some spiders construct webs to trap prey and others are ambush predators, lying in wait, often camouflaged waiting for prey to settle close by. In general, spiders will use a combination of wrapping and injecting to subdue prey. Most spiders possess poison but do not harm people. In Saskatoon, we have no deadly spiders.