1. The aphid midge look like a small wasp and are very delicate. There are over sixty different varieties of aphids and larvae will eat these out of your garden. If you want to attract them then grow plants with a great deal of nectar and pollen.



2. The big-eyed bug is a quick moving bug with huge eyes and tiny black spots on its head and thorax. Field crops and orchards are usually where these bugs are found. Leafhoppers, spider mites, plant bugs and aphids and small caterpillars are what the big-eyed bugs.

3. Ladybugs come in sizes ranging from 1/16 to 3/8 inch and have circular red, orange or yellow trunks with black markings. Where large amounts of pollen and nectar-producing flower are that is where you will find ladybugs. Aphids, mealybugs, small insects and scales are the ladybugs favorites. The ladybug is related to the Mexican bean beetle but they are beneficial.

4. The minute pirate bugs are about ¼ inches long as adults and have a black and white pattern on their body. Like the big-eyed bug they are fast moving and like gardens with goldenrod, yarrow, alfalfa, daisies, and other pollen-producing, flowering plants are grown. Small caterpillars, thrips, spider mites, insect eggs and immature leafhoppers are what the Minute Pirate Bugs eat.

5. The Mealybug Destroyer have wing covers that are black and as an adult this bug is 1/3 inch long with an oval shaped body and a coral-colored stomach. The mealybuy destroyer is naturally there if mealybugs are present and the destroyers will eat all of the mealybugs in the garden.

6. An adult spined soldier bug is about ½ inch in length when it reaches adulthood. The shoulders of the thorax come to sharp points and are grayish brown in color. They prefer to feed on caterpillars, armyworms, grubs, sawflies, and Mexican bean beetle larvae. The shelter of perennial plants near a garden are preferred by the spined soldier bug.

7. The tachinid fly look like a big, hairy housefly and grow to about 1/3 to ½ inch long. Eggs that kill caterpillars of many pest species such as gypsy moths and armyworms are deposited by the females. Flower nectar, sweet clover, parsley and dill are what adults prefer to feed on. If you see caterpillars with white eggs hooked to them, do not kill them because the eggs will turn into more tachinid flies.

8. Adult tiger beetles will be about ½ to ¾ inches long. They are bright-colored, have long legs and feed on many types of pests. Tiger beetles will come if there are perennials in your garden.

9. The assassin bug look flattened and have elongated heads. This type of bug ranges from ½ to 1 3/8 inches long. The assassin bug is naturally found in a garden where pests live. They will eat almost any common pest.

10. An adult bumblebee will grow to be 1 inch long and are round with black and yellow striping. They can be recognized they their smoky-colored wings and hairy bodies. This bug pollinates and like nectar and pollen.

Try to attract helpful insects into your garden to get rid of those annoying and unwanted pests.