Green lacewing is a beneficial insect. If you see this insect preserve it!

Pollinators

Pollinators are hands down the most helpful insects in your garden. They transfer pollen from an anther to a stigma. Important to our ecosystem, they are helpful insects for your garden. Although not all pollinators are insects, many are.   Bees and butterflies are likely the most well thought of pollinators. But many wasps, flies and the insects also pollinate. Birds and bats are examples of non- insect pollinators.

Vegetables and fruits which rely on pollination to produce fruit are tomatoes, peppers, squash, peas, beans, eggplant, melons, apples, cucumbers and many, many more. Without pollinators these foods plants would not produce.

Green lacewing is a beneficial insect. If you see this insect preserve it!

Conservation and Preservation of Natural Enemies

There are many natural enemies out there. These are helpful insects for your garden. They prey on aphids and other plant damaging insects such as scale insects.

• Ladybugs– eat aphids, mites, small insects and insect eggs. They prey on unwanted insects in both the larvae and adult stages.
• Green lacewing– ( pictured above) is a very beneficial insect.
• Dragonflies– dragonflies are beneficial as they eat flying insects such as mosquitoes.
• Praying mantis– eat a wide range and size of insect.
• Spiders- not true insects themselves, but spiders eat many harmful insects. Try to preserve any spiders you see in your garden. They do not eat plants.
• Parasitic Wasps and Fleas– less noticeable but worth mentioning, parasitic wasps and fleas live on or in their host during the larva stage.

Native plants are a good way to attract beneficial insects, both pollinators and natural enemies.

Insect trouble?

Think before using over the counter pesticides. They can have an effect on helpful insects as well as the ones that are not being helpful.