The Bugs you WANT in your garden...

Toker88

Active Member
Hey Everyone!

The more I browse these threads, it seems like not too many users know about all the beneficial insects to introduce to your garden, in order to kill bad bugs like thrips, catapillars, aphids etc... Here are a few examples of the bugs you're going to want to find, and have them buddy up to your plants lol...

Green Lacewings

Photo: Jack Dykinga. USDA Agricultural Research Service
Most of the beautiful adult lacewings feed on pollen, nectar, and honeydew. Green lacewing larvae, however, are voracious predators. Nicknamed "aphid lions," the larvae do an impressive job of devouring aphids by the dozens. Larvae hunt for soft-bodied prey, using their curved, pointed mandibles to stab their victims.

Lady Beetles

Photo: © Debbie Hadley, WILD Jersey
Everyone loves a ladybug, but gardeners hold them in especially high regard. Lady beetles eat aphids, scale insects, thrips, mealybugs, and mites – all the pests gardeners despise. With lady beetles, you get more bang for your buck, because both the adults and the larvae feed on pests. Lady beetle larvae look like tiny, colorful alligators. Learn to recognize them, so you don't mistake them for pests.

Assassin Bugs

Photo: Susan Ellis, Bugwood.org
Assassin bugs know how to take care of business. These true bugs use trickery, disguises, or just plain brute force to capture a meal. Many assassin bugs specialize in certain kinds of prey, but as a group, assassins feed on everything from beetles to caterpillars. They're fun to watch, but be careful handling them because they bite – hard.

Minute Pirate Bugs

Photo: Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org
Arrgggh. You probably have minute pirate bugs in your garden, and don't even know it. Minute, indeed – these predators are tiny! Minute pirate bugs usually measure a mere 1/16th inch long, but even at that size, they can put away a good number of aphids, mites, and thrips. Next time you're in the garden, take a hand lens and search for them. Adults have black bodies with a white chevron pattern on their backs.

Ground Beetles

Photo: Susan Ellis, Bugwood.org
You've probably overlooked the ground beetles in your garden. Lift a stepping stone, and you might see one skittering away. The dark-colored adults often have a metallic sheen, but it's really the larvae that do the dirty work of pest control. Ground beetle larvae develop in the soil, and prey on slugs, root maggots, cutworms, and other pests on the ground. A few species will venture up a plant stem and hunt for caterpillars or insect eggs.

Syrphid Flies

Photo: Flickr user Gilles Gonthier
Syrphid flies often wear bright markings of yellow-orange and black, and can be mistaken for bees. Like all flies, though, the syrphids have just two wings, so take a closer look if you see a new "bee" in your garden. Syrphid maggots crawl on garden foliage, searching for aphids to eat. They're quite good at squeezing in the curled up leaves where aphids hide, too. As an added bonus, the adults will pollinate your flowers. Syrphid flies are also called hover flies, because they tend to hover over flowers.

Predatory Stink Bugs

Photo: Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org
Though many stink bugs are plant pests themselves, some predatory stink bugs keep pests in check. The spined soldier bug, for example, feeds on caterpillars, sawfly larvae, and grubs. Most predatory stink bugs are generalist feeders, so they might also devour your lady beetles or even their own kin. You can recognize stink bugs by their shield-shaped bodies, and the pungent odor they produce when disturbed.
Big-Eyed Bugs

Photo: Jack Dykinga. USDA Agricultural Research Service
Predictably, you can distinguish big-eyed bugs from their closest relatives by looking at their large, bulging eyes. Like many other true bugs, their bodies are oval and somewhat flat. Big-eyed bugs are quite small, reaching an average of just 1/8th inches in length. Despite their diminutive stature, both adults and nymphs feed heartily on mites, aphids, and insect eggs.


Damsel Bugs

Photo: Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org
Damsel bugs use thickened front legs to grab their prey, which includes aphids, caterpillars, thrips, leafhoppers, and other soft-bodied insects. Nymphs, too, are predators, and will feast both small insects and their eggs. With their dull brown coloring, damsel bugs blend in to their environment quite well. They look similar to assassin bugs, but are smaller.



.... So to all of you with bug troubles-- I wish you the best. With the information listed above, it may be easier to identify the insects you want on your plants--

Also for all those with an organic green thumb, hopefully you introduce beneficial insects before turning to chemical aides :)

Take it easy everyone-- and good luck with your grow(s) :weed:
 

therealdream

New Member
very good thank you very much but i must ask... how do you get rid of THESE bugs after they've done their job? i know you're trying to help but i would hate to kill all my mites and then have a plant full of assassin bugs that will bite the shit out of me you know?
 

Toker88

Active Member
very good thank you very much but i must ask... how do you get rid of THESE bugs after they've done their job? i know you're trying to help but i would hate to kill all my mites and then have a plant full of assassin bugs that will bite the shit out of me you know?

LOL! Ya I get your point. Well the good part with these bugs, is they don't eat plants, only other insects. Now don't quote me on this, but from my experience with insects, they will go where the food is. Therefore, when you plant is pest free, it would make sense that they'd move on in search of other insects to nibble on.

If you have indoor plants, insects may not be ideal for you... However, if you have an outdoor shed or garage -- or if your plants are outside, then it's all good. :)
 

FrontaLobotomy

Well-Known Member
It would certainly be something to consider if you were to be growing a number of outdoor plants. Manual pest control is a more practical option, but having a balanced ecosystem sounds a lot more zen.
 

Toker88

Active Member
It would certainly be something to consider if you were to be growing a number of outdoor plants. Manual pest control is a more practical option, but having a balanced ecosystem sounds a lot more zen.

lol ya definately. No doubt that for most of us, manual pest control is a hell of a lot easier, and perhaps much better suited to our grow spaces... I suppose I've just been trying to go as organic as possible, stay away from chemicals. Eventually, when I find a better spot, Id like to build up a green house, grow veggies and cannabis :) I'd also hunt down these insects and stick em' in there with all the plants.... :) One day it will happen... lol
 

redivider

Well-Known Member
a buddy of mine who has grown for a couple of years told me ladybugs can be all you need. not ugly looking, easy to handle, no biting, and carnivores.... my plants have some insects, they are having a party with some leaves, and I don't really want to use pesticides... should I bring some in my apt?
 

Toker88

Active Member
a buddy of mine who has grown for a couple of years told me ladybugs can be all you need. not ugly looking, easy to handle, no biting, and carnivores.... my plants have some insects, they are having a party with some leaves, and I don't really want to use pesticides... should I bring some in my apt?

Hey Man-- Sorry for the delayed response, I didn't see this entry till now--- as for getting some lady bugs in your apt, I mean if it doesn't bother you, I don't see why not... however I'd recommend perhaps the lady beatles instead-- at least they don't fly around(pretty sure they don't have wings anyways), and they are great for killing unwanted insects.

I wish you all the best with your plants-- hope you get the bug problem solved...
 

FilthyFletch

Mr I Can Do That For Half
And dont forget some of the best bugs to have are Mite Destroyers, Predetor Mites, Praying Mantis, and Lady bugs.. You can buy these all and help keep the garden damage free
 

FilthyFletch

Mr I Can Do That For Half
Yup have it in the post. I have ordered a few new egg sacks currently and will have 2 put in my yard. On average each has about 100-200 babies inside so I figure populate the outside and they will breed and feed on mites and other nastioes before they even get to come in. Less outside means less that can come inside but if they do then more mantis inside waiting
 

Toker88

Active Member
Yup have it in the post. I have ordered a few new egg sacks currently and will have 2 put in my yard. On average each has about 100-200 babies inside so I figure populate the outside and they will breed and feed on mites and other nastioes before they even get to come in. Less outside means less that can come inside but if they do then more mantis inside waiting

Lol very clever. Yes I should make a point to add a few more insects to the list--

Out of curiousity, where do you order these insects from? I'd love to get some for my backyard (peach tree was eatin alive over the spring, it barely has any leaves and the peaches resemble apricots! :S) but short of scouting the woods with a container (lol) I really don't know where to get them.
 
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