Helper Insects

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Everyone wants to see their garden beautiful and fruitful. Meet the insects that protect your plants. Let's talk about creating natural balance and the living conditions of your little helpers

Invertebrates, arthropods, otherwise known as "insects", are everywhere. They are comfortable in the fields, in the mountains, they live well in the ocean spaces, in city apartments. Beneficial insects are specially grown and used in the fight against weeds, progressive organisms and pests. Who is useful? Let's get acquainted.

Beneficial insects

Riders

They actively destroy caterpillars, fly larvae, aphids. The female, with the help of a puncture, makes a clutch in the body of another insect. As a result, the larva kills its donor. One female gives 200 eggs, lays in batches. For example, 20-30 pieces for each caterpillar of a cabbage butterfly or 1-2 for the body of aphids. Several generations appear in a year. The rider loves umbellates: lovage, dill, kupyr, coriander, etc. For wintering it goes into tall grass, under the roots of a bush.

Wasp rider

ladybug

Every child is familiar with the ladybug. This beetle is an active assistant to gardeners, as it feeds on spider mites, common and shell aphids. For example, the well-known seven-spot ladybug destroys 150 aphids every day, and 4 thousand in its life.

The female lays about 20 eggs in the spring, next to the colony of aphids. For the larvae of aphids, the main food, therefore, already in this state, activities that are useful for us begin. They hibernate in the grass, under the foliage. In order for this bug to be present on your site, you need to create conditions for wintering: unmown grass, bark, foliage under trees, stones, etc. Pesticides are harmful to the ladybug.

Ladybug chrysalis

Gallica

The gall midge larvae feeding on aphids are of particular benefit. The life of an adult female is equal to a week, each produces 50-60 eggs, which are placed in places where aphids accumulate. The larvae actively feed on aphids - this is 2 weeks of useful work. They hibernate in the form of a cocoon in the open field, no help is required from you to increase the progression, but … Spraying the garden with chemicals will destroy the gall midges.

Ground beetles

Ground beetles are mobile, they are rare during the day - they are active at night. They have impressive dimensions: 4 cm, body color is different: from shimmering yellow to black. Eggs are laid in the ground in 40-60 pieces. Food: slugs, insect larvae, small bugs, worms. There are flying species that live in compost or similar organic matter. They overwinter in secluded places (under a wood-stall or a house), as well as in rocky embankments, sawdust, foliage, less often in earthen depressions. Pesticides completely destroy all ground beetles.

Ground beetle larva

Hoverflies

Many people confuse hoverfly with a wasp, for a similar color. Insects are distinguished by hovering in flight, they like to make a sound similar to the murmur of water. The hoverfly is the most active fighter against aphids, its larvae are of great benefit to gardens. During the period of 2 weeks of development, each one destroys 700 aphids.

One female is able to breed 5 generations per year. Adults feed on aphid secretions and pollen. They prefer to be near flower beds, especially yellow flowers. For wintering, it is advisable to make a shelter in the form of a box with shavings or hay.

Hoverflies

Lacewing

In the middle lane, a green species with transparent mesh wings is more common. All species have yellow eyes. The female lays eggs in the bark of the tree and on the leaves. The larva lives for 20 days, during which time it destroys up to 500 aphids. 2 generations appear per season. Adult lacewings feed on pollen, less often on small insects. It hibernates in secluded places, sometimes climbs into a residential building. Winter color is brown or yellow.

Aphid lion

They settle next to flowering plants. The main food for adults and larvae is aphids, which is invaluable in restoring the biological balance. In order to protect the garden and greenhouses, they are artificially bred and sold in biological laboratories. For a good result, it is recommended to place 20 eggs per sq. meter. For wintering, you need to arrange houses, and put straw inside.

Evil eye

Common earwig

This leather-winged insect is familiar to all gardeners and gardeners. Impressive with its rear claws. It hunts wood lice, it is indispensable for the extermination of harmful insects in flower beds, in the beds. For reproduction, he makes a mink in the soil, clutch - 100 eggs, rears offspring on his own. It hibernates in near-trunk circles, in fallen leaves, in the soil, in the bark, in the cracks of wooden buildings.

Outcome

A competent attitude towards insect helpers allows you to maintain a natural balance in a suburban area, increase fruiting and maintain decorativeness. It is important to create a supportive environment for them.

Ground beetle

Gallica

Hoverfly larva

Aphid lion

Earwig

Ladybug larva

Gingerbread eggs