It takes some work to keep your plants healthy, but you don’t have to do it alone. Some bugs are willing to give you a helping hand. Though bugs tend to have a bad reputation, others can actually be helpful. It’s important to know which bugs are beneficial to your garden. Check out six bugs that are good for your plants.
1. Bees
These black and yellow bugs are great for your plants. Bumblebees and honey bees are excellent pollinators. Pollen can attach to the hair on their abdomen. They also have pollen baskets on their legs that allow them to collect pollen. As they travel between plants, they deposit pollen. Their pollination is said to help produce about 1/3 of our food supply.
2. Ladybugs
If ladybugs are hanging out near your plants, you don’t want to get rid of them. Ladybugs feed on aphids and other plant pests including mites, mealybugs, and whiteflies. Not only are adult ladybugs helpful, their larvae will also feed on aphids. Though ladybugs are known for their red and black spotted body, they can be a variety of colors.
3. Soldier Beetles
Soldier beetles are yellow to tannish-brown and have a black spot on their head and one on each wing. These beetles help plants in two ways. They are pollinators, and they feed on garden pests. Adult soldier beetles eat nectar and pollen. As they move from plant to plant, they transfer pollen between plants. Adults and larvae feed on plant pests including caterpillars and aphids.
4. Assassin Bugs
As their name implies, assassin bugs are great hunters. These bugs have a curved, sharp proboscis that helps them catch prey. There are several species of assassin bugs with different appearances. The wheel bug is one of the largest assassin bugs and is known for its spiky wheel. Assassin bugs feed on leafhoppers, caterpillars, aphids, and other plant pests.
5. Mealybug Destroyers
Another bug you may want to welcome into your garden is the mealybug destroyer. These bugs were imported from Australia to help control mealybugs. Mealybug destroyers are technically a species of lady beetles. Adults have a dome shape while their larvae look like mealybugs with a white, waxy coating. They feed on mealybug nymphs and eggs.
Though some pests can cause problems in your garden, not all bugs are bad. Being able to recognize beneficial insects can help keep your plants safe. If pests are attacking your plants, we’re here to help! Our 3-in-1 Garden Spray and our Vegetable Garden Insect & Disease Control spray can help get rid of pesky bugs.