beneficial insect
Pest-eating garden ally
A beneficial insect is one that provides ecological or agricultural value—pollinating crops, preying on pests, or decomposing organic matter.
Bees, ladybugs, and praying mantises are common examples.
Gardeners and farmers often encourage beneficial insects as alternatives to pesticides: We planted marigolds to attract beneficial insects.
- ladybugSpotted red beetle
- lacewingGossamer-winged beneficial insect
- parasitoidHost-dependent killer organism
- mantisInsect with grasping forelegs
- beeStinging nectar gatherer
pollinator · butterfly · hoverfly · praying mantis · dragonfly · biological control · natural pest control · bumblebee · agroecology · honeybee · ant lions · organic gardening · host plant · bug hotel · mutualism · natural enemies · insectary · sustainable agriculture
- ecological rolesproducer, consumer, decomposer, predator, prey
- insect anatomyabdomen, antennae, thorax, exoskeleton, head
beneficial insectcrop pest
Organism damaging cultivated plants
agricultural pest · garden pest · locust · aphid · Japanese beetle
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