Insects

Worms are everywhere, especially on a rainy day. But they are also one of your best friends in the garden. Worms are incredible efficient decomposers, meaning they eat dead or decaying matter. They are very good at putting that energy back into the soil again for your plants to use. They also help improve soil texture.

Category

• Decomposer

Benefit

• Removal of dead and decay, soil nutrients, soil texture

*Harmful

• Ground worms pose no threat to humans, this does not refer to parasitic worms

Identification

• How to identify earthworms

Reinforcement

• How to attract earthworms to your garden

Avoid

• Too dry soil, too wet soil

Sources

• Earthworms

Bees are certainly incredible insects. We have 400-500 species of bees in Idaho. Bees are one of our top pollinators for flowers and home gardens, but also commercial crops. Bees also make honey, which many of us enjoy.

Category

• Pollinator

Benefit

• Pollination, honey

*Harmful

• If allergic to stings

Identification

• A beginner's field guide to identifying bees (pdf), Colorado State University

Reinforcement

• Plant flowers, especially blues and purples

Avoid

• Don't use broad-spectrum insecticides

Sources

• Honey bees plus pollinators, Washington State University

Butterflies add beautiful color and finesse to the landscape. They also help to pollinate your plants while visiting. It's important to know some butterflies and moths can also be harmful to your plants.

Category

• Pollinator

Benefit

• Pollination as they seek nectar

*Harmful

• Many butterfly larvae are damaging to their prefered host plant

Target species

• Some butterfly larvae target undesirable plants (weeds) and can be used to control them

Identification

• Butterflies

Reinforcement

• Planting a variety of flowers will attract adult butterflies to your yard. Choosing specific host plants for larvae will attract adults to lay their eggs in your yard.

Avoid

• Broad spectrum insecticides, some caterpillars affected by BT products

Sources

• Attracting butterflies to the garden, Colorado State University

Ground beetles can be found everywhere, and most people don't like finding them. However, these creepy crawlies are awesome predators and are helping you out in the garden.

Category

• Predator

Benefit

• Control of pest populations

*Harmful

• None

Target species

• Will eat many species

Identification

• Predaceous ground beetles, University of California IPM

Reinforcement

• Planting tall grass where they like to hide, using mulch

Avoid

• Reduce or avoid tillage

Sources

• Ground beetles: Predators that provide benefits in agricultural landscapes, South Dakota State University

There are both brown and green lacewings; calld lacewing because of their lacey, see-through wings. These insects are voracious predators as larvae. Larvae have big, strong jaws for capturing and eating prey.

Category

• Predator, pollinator

Benefit

• Reduce pest populations, adults pollinate while foraging for nectar

*Harmful

• None

Target species

• Aphids

Identification

• Green lacewings: Beneficial predators for both small and large-scale landscapes, South Dakota State University

Reinforcement

• Plenty of flowering plants season long
• Leave some plant debris in fall for them to overwinter in

Avoid

• Broad spectrum insecticides

Sources

• Lacewing, University of Minnesota

Ladbug, ladybird beetles or lady beetles are very abundant in Idaho and often a favorite to look at. Lady bug larvae are excellent predators. Adults may feed on plants but are usually not harmful.

Category

• Predator

Benefit

• Reduce pest populations

*Harmful

• None

Target species

• Aphids, mites, scales, whiteflies, etc.

Identification

• Lady beetles, University of California IPM

Reinforcement

• Plant flowers, they are attracted to anything rich in pollen, like yellows and whites

Avoid

• Broad spectrum insecticides, competitive invasive species

Sources

• Featured creatures: Ladybirds, University of Florida (PDF)

Praying mantes are among the most voracious predators in the insect world. Even newly hatched young will catch and kill other insects. These can be some of your best friends in the garden.

Category

• Predator

Benefit

• Reduce pest populations

*Harmful

• Will eat anything, including beneficial insects

Target species

• Will eat anything that moves, including lizards, frogs and other small animals

Identification

• Praying mantises have a very unique look with their swiveling heads, large eyes and saw-like arms
• Mantids or praying mantises, University of California IPM

Reinforcement

• Look for oothecas (egg sacks) in the fall and make sure they are well protected to last the winter
• Oothecas can also be purchased

Avoid

• Avoid broad spectrum insecticides

Sources

• Praying Mantis, Iowa State University

We are lucky to live in Idaho where there are very few spiders that cause harm to humans. Most spiders are extremely helpful, trapping and eating other insects. 

Category

• Predator

Benefit

• Reduce pest insect populations

*Harmful

• Black widows can cause sickness through their bite

Target species

• Any insect

Identification

• Spiders in the home, Colorado State University
• Spider identification and management, Montana State University (PDF)

Reinforcement

• Don't disturb webs outdoors

Avoid

• Avoid broad spectrum insecticides

Sources

• Common garden spiders, University of California IPM
• Top 20 arachnids, Utah State University

Syrphid flies or hoverflies, are small predacious flies that love to hang around your flowers. They feast on insects eating your plants, such as aphids. They will also eat some pollen. They are often yellow or orange and black striped, making some believe they are tiny wasps or bees. They are just flies and cannot sting you.

Category

• Predator

Benefit

• Control of pest populations

*Harmful

• None

Target species

• Aphids, other soft-bodied insects

Identification

• Small fly, iridescent or clear wings, very large, often red, eyes, black and yellow or orange stripes on abdomen

Reinforcement

• Plant lots of flowers, season long blooms, provide windbreaks or plant flowers in protected areas
• Syrphid flies, University of Minnesota (see Promoting syrphid flies in gardens and farms section)

Avoid

• Avoid broad spectrum insecticides, avoid using insecticides on aphids

Sources

• Syrphids (flower flies or hover flies), University of California IPM
• Syrphid fly (Sphaerophoria philanthus) U.S. Forest Service
• Syrphid flies (hover flies, flower flies), Washington State University