Last week we took the opportunity to reintroduce ourselves, for the benefit of first time readers.  As promised in that blog, today we are posting a brief overview of the five most popular beneficial insects for your garden. The text was actually published last July on our blog site and we are reproducing parts of it here today:

“Introducing beneficial insects to the garden to keep insect pests in check is the best way to becoming more environmentally friendly.  Biofloris is committed to providing the highest quality beneficials for the garden as well as educational support for release and establishment in your garden.

Quick reminder:

• A predator in this context is an insect that catches and consumes other insects (prey). Please click here for more information on pest insects.
• A parasitizer in this context is an insect that inserts it’s own eggs into the larva or egg of another host and consumes the host internally

Convergent Lady Beetles, Lady Birds, Lady Bugs (Hippodamia convergens)

Convergent Lady Beetles, Lady Birds, Lady Bugs

Of all the beneficial insects around, the convergent Lady Bug is probably the most familiar to homeowners and children alike as a friend to your garden.  Both the larva and adult have a voracious appetite for many different species of aphids; so encouraging these pretty little beetles in the garden makes good sense. The only drawback is that it is often difficult to find them in local stores or garden centers…

Beneficial Nematodes (Steinernema carpocapsae & Heterohabditis bacteriophora)

Beneficial nematodes

…to control various lawn grubs such as Japanese Beetle, June Beetle and European Chafer.  These microscopic worms are a powerful tool to grub control if released under the right conditions. …

Brown Lacewings (Hemerobius spp.)

Brown Lacewings

Unlike the more familiar green lacewings, brown lacewings are active at night.  They control numerous garden pests such as mites, leafhoppers, mealybugs, thrips and whitefly.

Parasitic Wasps (Trichogramma spp.)

Parasitic Wasps

This is one of the smallest parasitic wasps around, and the best thing about this wasp is that it parasitizes over 200 different spp. of moth and butterfly eggs before the larva emerge and damage plant foliage.

Praying Mantis (Mantis spp.)

Praying Mantis

A fascinating appearance and front legs that strike with lightening speed, these highly predacious insects feed on flies, moths, crickets and grasshoppers, to name just a few.  They generally are more easily established in gardens using organic practices…”

http://www.biofloris.com/blog_en/2010/07/beneficial-insects-for-the-garden/

Next week, we’ll provide a brief reminder as to how to ensure proper application of beneficial insects in your garden.

Terrie Greco, B.A.; HLT Dip.

The praying mantis is a Kung Fu King – really!  Many martial arts have based defensive strike positions on the stance of the praying mantis.

Although there are many different species worldwide, one of the most familiar to gardeners is Mantis religiosa – or the European Praying Mantis. 

Gardeners purchase this predatory insect in the egg state, or ‘ootheca’ and attach the egg casings to branches and twigs in the spring.  It takes a few weeks of warm weather before the tiny mantis nymphs emerge – then watch out – they’ll be on the prowl.

Mantises are ‘ambush predators’ – they lie in wait for prey and strike with lightening speed.   With the ability to camouflage themselves by appearing as part of a branch, twig or leaf, most unsuspecting prey does not have a chance of survival if they land near a mantis. The mantis holds their prey securely with their two front legs, which are equipped with razor sharp spines.  Next, the mantis will bite the neck of their prey, paralyzing them.  And yes, they usually start to eat them when they are still alive. 

Mantises are true predatory insects – so they will control numerous pests – and the odd non- pest as well.  Predators cannot distinguish between pest and beneficial insect.  Why would you use them in the garden then?  If your garden is experiencing problems with many different pest species, this generalist predator will keep pest populations at a manageable level.

Mantis religiosa - European Praying Mantis adult stage

Mantis religiosa – European Praying Mantis adult stage. The Praying Mantis predator uses its powerful front legs to strike with lightening speed. Image courtesy of: Joseph Berger, www.bugwood.org

Here is an interesting link from Animal Planet in which you can see predatory insects in action:

http://animal.discovery.com/videos/natures-perfect-predators-praying-mantis.html