Identification of Some Common Bugs and additional facts

Identification of Some Common Beneficial Bugs and Additional Facts

Beneficial Bugs	Type of Insect	Additional Facts	Kills These Bad Bugs
Lacewing	Predator	Adults are about 3/8 inch long. Their delicate wings easily identify them.	Aphids, thrips, lice and other larvae
Ladybug or Ladybeetle	Predator	The larvae resemble alligators and are just as ravenous as adult beetles.	Aphids, thrips, tree lice and other larvae
Praying Mantis	Predator	Fascinating to observe, the praying mantis can grow up to four inches long. There is much debate about keeping praying mantis since they will eat anything, including their own kind.	Eats anything - flies, beetles, caterpillars, crickets and grasshoppers
Tachinid Fly	Parasitic	Similar to a house fly, only hairier, tachinids tend to stay near plants, not people.	Moths, bean and potato beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars, cutworms
Trichogramma Wasp	Parasitic	Don't let the word wasp scare you — this species is too microscopic to see but is a valuable control.	Worm larvae, borers, webworms, leafworms and cutworms
Soldier Beetle	Predator	About 1/2 inch long, they resemble lightning bugs.	Caterpillars, bean and potato beetles
Ground Beetle	Predator	Up to 1-inch long, with black or brown shells. They like to hide under yard debris and loose bark. There are many varieties and shapes – the common ground beetle is shown.	Cutworms, maggots, snails and slugs
Assassin Bug	Predator	Earns its name by sneaking up on and attacking its prey. Assassins are up to 1-inch long and are identified by their long head and curved beak. They can also inflict a painful bite on humans.	Mosquitoes, flies, caterpillars, beetles and anything else that moves.

List -Courtesy of Lowes