Insect Predators
Ants are
major predators around both the home and garden!
See also
Dances with Ants dept.
Fungus Gnat Predator (Hypoaspis sp.)
A tiny brown predatory mite which lives in the soil.
The female lays her eggs in the soil in the area
that the fungus gnats as well as springtails and thrips
larvae also
live. The nymphs and the adults both feed on these soil dwelling
pests. A very short life cycle of about 10 days means
that you should apply several times for best control. For maximum control use with beneficial nematodes like Bio -Pest -B-Gone
Fly Parasites
(Muscidifurax zaraptor) (Spalangia endius)
(Nasonia vitripennis)
all tiny parasitic wasps which attack the pupae of manure breeding flies.
Leafminer
Parasite
(Diglyphus isaea)
A parasitic wasp that loves leaf miner larvae!
Mealybug
Destroyer (Cryptolaemus montrouzieri)
Attacks all
stages of mealybugs. Both the larvae and adult are
predators. They also like aphids, whitefly scales and all soft scales.
Mealybug Parasite (Leptomastix dactylopii)
A parasitic wasp that goes only after mealybugs!
Black Scale Parasite (Metaphycus helvolus)
An other parasitic wasp that is very effective against
several soft scale species including brown scale. Most
effective in semi-tropical conditions.
Purple Scale Predator (Lindorus lophanthae)
A black Ladybug, she loves both larvae and adult soft scales and armored, including black, brown, red, meal bugs and other smaller insects.
Fly Parasites
Attack flies before they hatch with this parasite.
Fly parasites deposit their eggs inside immature fly
pupae, the parasitic eggs hatch into larvae which feed on
their hosts.
Leafminer Parasite
(Diglyphus isaea)
a tiny parasitic wasp that attacks
Leafminers.
Praying Mantis (Tenodera sp.)
The Chinese mantis was first introduced into the United
States in 1896. The mantis captures, holds and devours many
different pests; bothers some insects as well
as beneficials. A very helpful insect in the
vegetable garden or around the house if controlled; otherwise it
can cause damage to the beneficial
populations as well. Used mostly in science projects in schools. OK for indoor use.
Red Scale
Parasites (Aphytis melinus)
a parasitic wasp, attacks armored scales females including
California red scale, yellow scale, San
Jose scale and Oleander scale.
Spider Mite Predators
Galendromus occidentalis
is a spider mite predator which tolerates high temps and high
humidity. Good for hot green-houses,tomatoes, grapes and interoscapes
(house plants).
Neoseiulus californicus
is another spider mite predator that survives longer than its cousins,
but requires a
greater humidity.
Mesoseuilus longipes
is another spider predator which can tolerate low humidity and is effective up
to 100 degrees F.
One
of the most effective controls of the two-spotted spider mites is
(Phytoseiulus
persimilis)
Consumes both adults
and eggs of the spider mites.
(Galendromus helveolus)
An avocado mite specific
predator in Southern California and Mexico and the six-spotted mite that attacks Florida Citrus.
Spined Soldier Bug
Controls Mexican bean beetle: This bug preys on many garden
pests such as cabbage loopers,cabbageworms and Mexican beetles. Both adults and
nymphs attack other pests.
Semaspore
A predator of a different sort. A
long term grasshopper control which is deadly to grasshoppers and crickets, is made from a naturally occurring
protozoan.
Thrips Parasite
(Thripobius semiluterus)
Preys on green house thrips of citrus and
avocados. Predatory mite's pupae
is attached to trees.
Thrips Predator (Neoseiulus barkeri)
They not only enjoy thrips but also will eat mites in
greenhouses.
See Also
Neoseiulus
cucumeris
is an excellent thrips
predator that eats only the young stages of the thrips.
Minute Pirate Bug (Orius sp.)
Adults and larvae attack spider mites as well as aphids and whitefly pupae.
Whitefly Predator (Delphastus pusillus)
a tiny black ladybug which just loves whitefly eggs!
Other Predators
The most abundant and important predators for a
healthy garden are the two-winged Flies,
the Wasps and the Green Lacewings. Parasites will
attack insects in all stages of their
development. The host does not die
immediately but provides nourishment until the larva of the parasite is nearly grown, after which the host dies.
Tachinid Flies
These predators prey on a wide variety of
insect species. They lay their eggs in the host body, which provides
the young with a source of food. Compsilura concinnata is a
fly that was imported from Europe to combat the gypsy
moth. Flesh flies have varied
habits: Some are flesh eaters, while others eat only insects.
More about Wasps
Wasps feed mostly on other insects. Their favorites are caterpillars such as the armyworm.
There are many varieties of parasitic wasps. Wasps
are generally quite social, with males, females and sterile workers
making up the family. Some species of parasitic wasps
attack only certain insects.
Encarsia formosa
is the whitefly parasitoid which effectively
controls whiteflies. Delphastus pusillus which attacks the sweet potato
whitefly, is one hungry beetle! Both the larvae and adult feed on all
stages of this whitefly as well as feed upon spider mites and other
pests.
Erectmocerus nr. Californicus
is a tiny parasitic wasp that controls the sweet potato
white fly and silver fish indoors in green houses as well as outdoor crops.
Watch out for ants carrying away wasp eggs!
Lysiphlebus Testaceipes
These guys destroy millions of aphids per year by laying
eggs within the bodies of the aphids.
Trichogramma minutum and T pretiosum and T platneri
These are minute egg parasites that destroy the eggs of most injurious pests such as the bollworm, cotton leafworm and various borers, hornworm, colding moth, and all moths and butterfly eggs.
Steinernema
carpocapsae
Are effective parasitic nematodes against termites, larvae and grubs
stages of certain beetles, weevils, borers, maggot fleas, armyworms, cutworms,
chafers, webworms, fleas and fungus gnats. These guys enter through any
body openings of their prey!
Heterohabditis is a cousin to above except it
can enter through its prey's skin! Ouch!
Sold under the name of Termask
Clandosan
These parasites control root-knot
nematodes and simulate naturally
occurring soil organisms. They should be tilled into the soil
before planting, and then applied every year after that. They also can be
used as a side dressing as needed.
Fire Ant Bait
Contains avermectin which is a natural soil
organism. Ants take bait back to colony where
it is distributed throughout colony and kills entire colony within 3 months. Use the same system as on ants.
Beneficial Organisms
(Bacillus thuringiensis)
(Bt israeliensis)
Very effective against mosquito larvae and black
fly larvae. Comes in a granular or solid form.
Use anywhere mosquito breed.
Bt berliner/kurstake)
is effective against leaf-eating insects such as loopers, hornworms, corn worms,
caterpillars, gypsy moths, oak worms, meal and flour moths,
diamondback moths, fruit worms, leaf folders, any leaf-feeding moth
and butterfly larvae.
(Bt kurstaki)
Are used to
control European Corn Borer on corn and tobacco. Treat corn
borer moths stages early with T pretiosum for max control.
(Bt var. San Diego tenebrionis)
is very effective against Colorado potato beetle and elm leaf beetle
(which attacks tomatoes, eggplant and potatoes) as well.
The above
products are sold under any of the following names: Dipel worm
killer, Safers BT, Javelin
WDG, M-Track BT for Leaf Beetles, Gnatrol, etc.
Grasshopper Pathogen (Nosema locutae)
is a single celled protozoan that
infects and naturally controls
grasshoppers, locusts and crickets, species of mole, mormon and black field. Apply when first sign of emergence is
visible.
Beneficial
Nematodes
These parasites control many borers, grubs, cutworms,
oriental beetles, pillbugs and cutworms as well as controls harmful
nematodes.
Available are parasitic nematodes of the HB and SC varieties. The HB variety is
an effective alternative to milky spore for the Japanese
beetle grub. Medfly larvae can be controlled by these also.
More
Beneficials........ see right side links or below
Aphidius colemani
Aphid Lion
Aphid Predator
Bean Parasite
Rumina decollata
Dragonflys
Hippodamia convergens
andy lopez
copyright
Invisible Gardener
March 6, 2013
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More Beneficials I have known