Pat & DrMcBug’s Insect Specs - Top Beneficial Arthropods: List of common beneficials/pests for SE USA and
the tricks necessary to help you maximize their impact. www.drmcbug.com
Also see: http://dodea.ext.msstate.edu/regional_sare/
I. Ladybugs – low dispersion when happy (stay in field/yard) Red/Orange means poison in nature (with bugs) 4 main types; first two are round as viewed from above: 1) C7 (Coccinella septempunctata L.) –We start with
the earliest appearing ladybug in the vegetable fields – the C7 ladybug. The C7 Ladybug has seven spots on the
elytra (hard shelled wings on the back of the beetle); three spots on either side and one joined at the center top near
the thorax and head region. These ladybugs overwinter in the bark of trees and similar habitats. We are always
impressed to see them in relatively barren fields, honing in on the vegetable plants there. C7 ladybugs love any type
of mustard plant as well as other early blooming nectar and pollen sources, like buckwheat.
2) The Multicolored Asian Ladybeetle, Harmonia axyridis; these are mainly tree crown feeding ladybeetles that
congregate in the fall to overwinter. Larvae can be distinguished from other species by the presence of small pads or
flaps that project off the back of the larva. After the first hard frost or two, the adults begin to think about getting
together to overwinter. In their native lands of China and Japan, the original places they overwintered were on rock
outcroppings in the mountains. If your home is light colored and on the side of a mountain, or similar setup, it
probably looks just like a big rock outcropping to a ladybug, and this might explain why one October day, the side
of your house is covered in ladybugs!! If your neighbor complains about having ladybugs, then collect them for
yourself! There are several ways to collect Harmonia. Probably the easiest method is to use a vacuum cleaner (with
a new bag), or a long tube sock that you can take out and replace, or a dust buster, and vacuum them up when they
start to congregate outside. There are several other methods to collect ladybugs. Chinese consider it good luck to
have these in your house. Plants that have early aphids are attractive to Harmonia – Spirea, brassicas, legumes.
Second set are oval as viewed from above: 3) Hippodamia convergens, the “Classic California” Convergent
ladybug, has been shipped nationally for over 80 years, and therefore is naturalized throughout most of the US.
These are the best overall ladybugs to release against soft-bodied vegetable pests. The adults are oblong, orange with
variable spots. Larvae actively eat aphids, mites, eggs (pest butterfly/moths eggs, Colorado Potato Beetle eggs, etc.)
of almost any kind, small caterpillars that they come across (including others of their own kind if they are hungry).
4) C-Mac, Coleomegilla maculata, distinctive oblong beetles that are pink and black spotted. This sets them apart
from other ladybugs, although the Hippodamia ladybugs have a similar body shape but no pink on them. C-Macs are
the “Porsches” of Ladybugs. They are fast, very active, and are great feeders on eggs of other insects. Therefore,
they disperse further and faster than other ladybugs, and they usually cover more territory in a day than other
ladybugs. C-Macs have been found to be especially effective against Colorado Potato Beetles, consuming their eggs
and small larva. The favored food plants that we find them on have lots of pollen: cilantro, parsnips, Queen Anne’s
lace and other plants in the wild carrot family. Use these plants to keep the ladybugs in your field, garden or yard.
II. Other Predatory Beetles: 1) Carabids – Low Dispersion - Black ground beetles 1/4 inch or larger, found
commonly in fields. Most forage at night, climbing plants and eating caterpillars, aphids, and other soft-bodied
insects. Larvae are also predatory and occur in the same habitat as the adults. 2) Lightning bugs (Lampyrids) and
3) Soldier Beetles (Cantharidae) are also excellent predators of soft bodied insects like aphids. Soldier beetles like
pollen from goldenrod, yarrow, parsnip, Queen Anne’s lace and other summer/fall flowers.
III. Parasitic wasps: Dispersion by size – small wasps stay in field; medium wasps forage less than 1/4 mile if
food/hosts present; larger wasps travel more than 1/4 mile. Very important agriculturally – 1000s of species and
many are specific to certain pests. Importance: Parasitic wasps are one of the most abundant natural enemies
available, and probably one of the least understood ecologically by most people. They are also one of the best
performers because they are specific to certain hosts and can reach high populations with the right
food/overwintering plants. Tricks – have overwintering plants like Queen Anne’s lace, yarrow, comfrey, and host
plants like Cole crops. This improves the overwintering success of wasp populations. It is desirable to have high
populations of parasitic wasps early in the season, and they ride herd on the host population. Monitor parasitization
rate of desired host(s) through sampling to get percentage parasitization. Can purchase many species – make
inundative releases to control outbreaks. Use the spray Bt, Bacillus thuringiensis against caterpillars rather than
broad-spectrum insecticides – these kill your beneficials at rates higher than the target hosts. Although Bt will kill
most larvae, it doesn’t harm wasp pupae or adults.
Identification: Parasitic wasps are generally small (an inch or less long, and most are less than 1/4 inch long)
slender, hairless flying insects with 2 pairs of clear to smoky membranous wings and long antennae. Many are black
or brown, but some have intricate color patterns. Their size is generally based on the size of their host; e.g. Cicada
killer wasps are huge (2 inches or longer), and Trichogramma wasps are the size of the period at the end of this
sentence because that is the size of the insect eggs that they attack. Female parasitic wasps usually have a readily
visible ovipositor. Most parasitic wasps attack a specific host, such as a caterpillar, or butterfly/moth egg or pupa,
beetle egg/larva/pupa, cicada, or other insect eggs, larva or pupa. This specificity of hosts allows you to make sure
you have the right wasp present when the hosts (caterpillars, beetles, etc.) show up.
Dispersion by size (and by habits of the host) – small wasps (Aphelinids, Aphiids, Trichogrammatids, Mymarids)
stay in field; medium wasps (Braconids, Ichneumonids, Eulophids) forage less than 1/4 mile if food/hosts present;
larger wasps (Tiphiids, Scoliids, plus predatory wasps like paper wasps and hornets) travel more than 1/4 mile in
search of food and hosts.
1) Braconids – adult wasps are usually smaller than ichneumonids (less than 1/4 inch) and of more compact
build, with long antennae and clear to smoky colored wings. They usually have less than 15 antennal segments.
They sting their prey and deposit an egg(s) in the host. Braconids are cocoon makers in the pupal stage, so they can
be found on the crop, or nearby plant leaves in fields – cocoons can be single or multiple – yellow or white, usually.
If they are fresh, the host cadaver may still be nearby, which can tell you what species of wasp is attacking. These
wasps are very important parasites of caterpillars – get them going early to ride herd on pest worms. These wasps
like flowers with small, open nectaries, like wild carrot flowers (umbels). Many parasitic wasps will also host-feed –
they will drink the hemolymph (blood) of the host as a way of getting protein, too. Overwintering plants are yarrow
and comfrey. Leave some crucifers, like broccoli standing or to the side, as many braconids overwinter as cocoons
on dead broccoli plants or similar mustards.
2) Ichneumonids – Slender, larger (1/4 inch or larger – bigger than braconids) wasps with long legs, long
antennae (-more than 15 antennal segments), and long ovipositor. Ichneumonids and braconids are some of the most
important parasitic insects. Ichneumonids make cocoons usually inside the host, so you might see a caterpillar skin
over an oval black and white striped cocoon (Hyposoter spp.). Or, they use their long ovipositor to bore through
plants or wood and sting the larval (like caterpillars or beetle grubs) or pupal hosts inside. Their sting paralyzes their
prey temporarily, and allows the female to deposit an egg(s) in or on the host. These wasps are also, like braconids,
very important parasites of caterpillars – get them going early and preserve their populations to ride herd on pest
worms. They also like umbels and similar flowers that have open nectaries. Same overwintering plants as braconids
– yarrow and comfrey, and leave crucifers or similar crop plants as winter harborage.
3-4) Tiphiids/Scoliids – Identification: Large; look similar to carpenter ants with wings, but quicker and more
serpentine. Tiphiids are solid black, and Scoliids have various color patterns – yellow/black, brown with 2 orange
spots, etc. If you handle them, the females can give a mild sting. Adult female wasps burrow into the ground to
attack grubs – specific wasps for Japanese beetle grub, Oriental beetle grub, Green June beetle grub (Scoliid); etc.
They sting the grub, paralyzing it. The wasp then lays an egg on the grub, which hatches and consumes the grub in a
week or so. It then spins a brown cocoon in the soil about the size of a small peanut. Wasps overwinter in the cocoon
stage below ground. All of these wasps are VERY dependent upon food plants and/or aphid honeydew to realize
their high reproductive potential. The spring Tiphia, Tiphia vernalis Rohwer, attacks Japanese/Oriental beetle grubs
in April/May. Important food plants for the Spring Tiphia are Tulip poplar, peonies, pyracanthas, forsythia, and
plants with aphids for honeydew. Tiphiid/Scoliids also host feed by biting the leg of a grub and drinking the
hemolymph that exudes from the wound.5-7) Trichogrammatids/Mymarids/Scelionids – tiny wasps about the size
of the period at the end of a sentence. Trichogrammatids and Mymarids (Fairyflies) can be important parasites of
the pest eggs of imported cabbageworm, gypsy moth, cabbage looper, cereal leaf beetle, and other pest insect eggs.
A somewhat similar family of wasps with similar habits is the Scelionidae – egg parasites of Stinkbugs. Because of
their small size, you need a dissecting microscope or a 10X minimum ocular to see them well. They like the small,
open nectaries of flowers such as umbellifera, bridal wreath spirea, and yarrow. So you need lots of little clumps of
farmscaping plants all over for these guys. 8)Eulophids – Small to medium sized wasps, usually metallic green or
blue. Some are parasitic on pest beetle eggs, like Edovum puttleri against Colorado potato beetle eggs. They have
been shown to kill as many eggs through host feeding as they parasitize! They like umbels and similar open
flowered plants, like yarrow. Some Eulophids are hyperparasites of the parasitic wasps attacking imported
cabbageworm (Tetrastichus galactopus attacking Cotesia glomerata/rubecula/orobeanae).
9) Pteromalids – Pupal parasites of caterpillars and beetles, primarily. Identification: Very small (less than 1/8
inch); black with red eyes. Females have the ovipositor attached on the underside at the front end of the abdomen.
Ovipositor has saw-like blades to drill into host. Females usually lay around between 10 and 50 eggs or so in a host
pupa, depending upon the size of the pupa. 10-12) Encyrtidae/Aphelinids/Aphiids- I want my mummies! These
wasps sting aphids and produce the brown aphid mummies you see in the field. The whitefly parasite Encarsia
formosa is a very important mortality factor against the greenhouse whitefly, and is in commercial production. If
you look closely, you may see the exit hole of the wasp, usually at the rear of the aphid or whitefly mummy. Count
mummies versus non-mummified aphids to get a handle on percent parasitization. Research has shown that
Aphelinid populations generally are isolated in fields, and that nearby populations 1/4 to 1/2 mile away are
genetically isolated from one another. So, these don’t move much and are dependent upon very localized sources of
food for energy and mating sites. Trick: Keep greenhouse temperatures above 76 degrees, and Encarsia can outreproduce the whitefly by twofold.13) Predatory Wasps – Hornets, Paper Wasps, Yellow jackets, etc. Social
insects that are best kept slightly away from your areas of most activity. They like to nest in overhangs or protected
areas. They are okay if they are out of the way; otherwise, it is no fun to be chased out of your patch by bald-faced
hornets. They forage over a large area, greater than 1/4 mile. Many will feed on caterpillars or similar soft-bodied
insects. Predatory wasps will supplement their prey feeding with nectar and pollen from umbellifera, goldenrods,
cilantro, sunflowers, and other pollen producing plants. They overwinter as mated queens in your house or
outbuildings. Knock down undesirable nests early by blasting them with water or soapy water to kill them.
IV. Flies-A. Predatory-Syrphidae; Ceciomyiidae (Predatory Midges): High dispersion for Syrphids – greater
than 1/4 mile – low dispersion for Midges (stays in field; less than 1/4 mi). If everyone had Umbellifera – we could
have “Syrphid USA!”… Hover flies - Syrphid Adults MUST HAVE POLLEN to lay eggs. Oblong eggs laid near
aphid colonies are common. Predatory midge larvae are usually orange and not much bigger than the aphids they
feed on; Syrphid larvae are larger, green or brown beautifully striped maggots that cause aphids and other softbodied insects/mites to have bad dreams at night. Pupae are shaped and sized like a teardrop – they start green and
turn brown. For every fly you see, that’s about 300 aphids eaten – yum. We find lots of these in our broccoli fields
– they are important in controlling aphids and caterpillars there.
B. Parasitic flies (Tachinidae) Tachinids – High Dispersion – greater than 1/4 mile. These flies are commonly
found in houses during early spring buzzing in the windows. They are hairy large flies with wings at a 45-degree
angle. Tachinid flies lay eggs on caterpillars and adult beetles. There is a specific parasite of Japanese beetle –
Istocheta aldrichi – established in Northeastern USA. Food plants are important in keeping adult flies nearby –
increase parasitization rates near food plants. Studies since 1988 have shown a parasitization rate between 3% and
21% of all Japanese beetle adults. In Maine, I have found rates consistently over 30% and as high as 60%!
V. Predatory Bugs – low dispersion when happy – stay in field/yard. Bugs have piercing/sucking mouthparts like a
small beak; most can give a mild bite. 1) Big-Eyed Bugs: Geocoris spp.; stout, small 1/8 inch long, has red eyes.
Can feed on some seeds if prey is absent. We find it most often in the larger clovers (red, crimson, white). Attacks
soft-bodied insects like aphids. 2) Nabid/Damsel Bug: Nabis spp. Adults are 1/4 inch long. Common in fields; also
associated with clovers. Elongated brown body with raptorial front legs like a mantid. 3) Minute Pirate Bug Orius
spp. – Very small – 1/16 inch long, wings are black with a clear spot (cuneus) on posterior wings, can also feed on
pollen in absence of prey, so plants like corn can be helpful to pirate bugs – ahoy, matey! Aye cap’n – bring ‘er
about…Johnny Depp! 4) Predatory Stink bugs/Shield Bugs/Anchor Bugs – mouthparts (proboscis) are armored.
Compare to a plant feeding stinkbug, whose proboscis is very narrow and slender. The 2-spotted stinkbug, Perillus
bioculatus, attacks Colorado potato beetle larvae/adults. Very closely related bugs are shield and anchor bugs
(Scutellidae) – good predators as well. 5) Assassin Bugs – green/brown/black/striped, larger bugs (1/2” long). Like
soft bodied insect larvae. Can inflict painful bite; be careful when handling – don’t press ‘em.
VI. Lacewings (Neuroptera) – Green, Brown, Trash bugs; Dusty Wings - Medium dispersion – around 1/4 mile
– adults find prey and lay eggs next to it. ADULTS ARE NOT PREDATORY AND NEED POLLEN. These
are great predators that will tackle anything in their way. I have even seen lacewing larvae eat poisonous
aphids, like oleander aphid. Eggs are laid on long hairlike white stalks. Larvae are alligator-like and feed with
piercing sucking hollow pinchers. They first inject poison to immobilize/liquefy prey contents, and then suck
it back through the hollow pinchers. Lacewings are commercially available as either eggs or larvae. Larvae
can come in either cells or in bran. If shipping in summer, check for viability IMMEDIATELY upon arrival. If
they aren’t moving around – then you have problems – reorder for free.
VII. Spiders – Low Dispersion for web makers; medium dispersion for jumping/wolf spiders. Have ballooning
capability to leave prey sparse areas. Certain jumping spiders (Phiddipus audax) have been found to be good
predators of caterpillars. Structurally complex systems have greater surface for webbings – upright grasses and such
in flat areas encourage web building. Other spiders have spots that glow yellow under UV light.
VIII. Mantids – medium dispersion, but will stay in a garden or field if adequate prey is around. When praying
mantids are small, they are excellent soft-bodied insect predators. As they get bigger, they eat anything that passes
in front of them, including more beneficial insects, like honeybees. They are like the T. rex of the insect world.
IX. Dragonflies: high dispersion – greater than 1/4 mile. If you have bodies of water nearby, then dragonflies and
damselflies could aid you. Pest butterflies are targets for dragonflies – we have seen mid-flight nabs of imported
cabbageworms by dragonflies. More adult predators of butterflies are needed, so dragonflies can help in that
category. Dragonfly larvae are aquatic predators of other insect larvae and even small fish – construct ponds.
List of common Pests that are controlled biologically and the tricks necessary to help you conquer pests.
1. Squash Vine Borers – Melittia curcurbitae/satyriniformis - Adults are blue/black stout bodied moths with clear
wings; males have a red velvet coating; larvae tunnel at the base of the stalks. Controls – Remove infested material.
Gently split stalks and remove larva by hand – bury or tie split stalk to heal. Trap/watch for adults – spray Bt, injuect
nemas or soap. Tiny wasp egg parasite could be encouraged. Tricks – Machata family squash (butternut) are more
resistant to borers. Or spray Bt twice weekly at base of plant during moth flight (Late June – August).
2. Flea beetles – different species attack different plants (like eggplant vs. brassicas). Larvae live on the roots of the
plants the adults are on. Controls – Nematodes Heterhorhabiditis bacteriophora (Hb) attacks the larva – need area
wide control. water them in under the plants being attacked – direct at the roots. Use trap crops of mustard; put
Nemas underneath to kill flea beetle larvae there. Cover with lightweight floating row covers to protect plants. Also,
big-eyed bugs (they like red clover) are supposed to eat flea beetle adults. Tricks – For nematodes, soil
temperature must be above 55 degrees F. Critical to get healthy viable nematodes from a fresh, good source.
Seven minutes exposure to sunlight will sterilize the Hb nematode (they will look good, but won’t do nuttin’).
Examine closely upon receipt with a hand lens to make sure the Nemas are alive and moving. Can refrigerate good
Nemas for 2-4 weeks. You can apply Nemas with a watering can or irrigate them in. BEST TIME IS AFTER A
GOOD RAIN, BECAUSE Nemas MOVE ON A FILM OF WATER.
3. Cabbage Caterpillars – Imported cabbageworm (Pieris rapae), diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella), crossstriped cabbageworm, cabbage looper (Trichoplusia ni), cabbage webworm and a few more. In cooler climates (and
early spring), the ICW dominates; in warmer climates (or later in summer), loopers and diamondbacks prevail.
Trick: early establishment of the parasites and predators of the early worms in wild mustards – specific
braconid/ichneumonid wasps – cocoons are yellow or white and found on the crucifer plant. Get buildup of natural
enemies, so that when the loopers arrive later in the season, their parasites/pathogens/predators are there waiting for
them. See Farmscaping Handout and organic broccoli production @ drmcbug.com for more information on crucifer
natural enemies. This is one of our specialties. Farmscaping around the entire crucifer patch is good (filter strip).
Use radishes/mustards as trap crop/monitoring plants. Use the microbial pesticide Bacillus thuringiensis (we just call
it Bt) to kill caterpillars in outbreaks. Natural enemies overwinter on crucifers, so set a bunch aside until May.
4. Whiteflies - what species? Most common is Greenhouse whitefly (wings held roof like over body); others
include Silverleaf whitefly and Ash Whitefly (Pome Fruits). First Instar larvae are crawlers, and then become sessile
nymphs. Sooty mold from honeydew exuded by whitefly nymphs. Controls: Parasites: Encarsia formosa for
Greenhouse Whitefly; other Encarsia wasp species specific to each Whitefly (almost). Tricks – Encarsia can out
reproduce the whiteflies by 2X if the temperature in the greenhouse is above 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Look for
parasite’s “bullet like” exit hole (like in the movie Alien) vs. regular exit holes (T-shaped) on the pupa – determine
% parasitization of your sample. Predators: Whitefly predator Delphastis pusillus, others include ladybugs,
lacewings, and predatory bugs. There are also some whitefly fungal diseases available – Lecanicillium
5. Aphids – dozens of species; some are specific to certain families of plants, and others are across species plant
feeders. Aphids can indicate too much nitrogen (plant gets very sweet). Anticipate aphids and release beneficials
ahead of time to control aphids before they get a head start. Aphids (almost all are clones) are born pregnant!
Aphids can reproduce at temperatures lower than most beneficials, so this is why aphids become a problem in the
winter in greenhouses. Up the temperature for a good part of the day and your beneficials will out reproduce the
pest. Controls – ladybugs, lacewings (work on Oleander aphids, which are poisonous), syrphid larva, Predatory
midge (Ceciomyiidae) larvae (orange maggots), also several specific parasitic wasps- (Aphiidae & Aphelinidae).
6. Stink bugs/Harlequin bugs/BMSB – don’t have continuous crucifers/ cleome. Controls: egg parasites,
Trissolcus bassalis, T. murgantia, Ooencyrtus johnsoni, and several others. Trap crops of mustards, radishes and
cleome – remove/spray (soap) adults gathering on these plants. Also, wherever you find adults and feeding damage
(yellowing) look for the nymphs (miniature adults) and egg masses on the underside of leaves (they look like pretty
black and white tiny barrels) – crush/remove these to stop the next generation. Also, set some aside and see whether
you get baby bugs or parasitic wasps.
7. Colorado Potato Beetle Leptinotarsa decimlineata, (CPB for short). Adults overwinter in the potato field and
emerge to attack newly planted potatoes. Use Bt spray to kill small larvae (Beetle Beater). We are able to control
CPB by attracting massive amounts of predatory insects through farmscaping. We especially target our efforts to
maximize predation of the CPB egg masses. The main predators of CPB are ladybugs, especially Cmac – but others
will focus on CPB eggs and be just as effective (e.g., anchor bugs, and other predatory stink bugs). Plant
farmscaping in and around your tater patch. Release ladybugs early to get establishment. Other effective predators
– 2 spotted Stink Bug Perillus bioculatus and Lebia spp. ground beetles.
8. Spider Mites – nip these in the “bug”. Arachnids - webbing and small reddish mites (2-spots; mites are the size
of this dot.) – leaves curl under. Check mites with a loop. Controls: predatory mites (expensive but good) – get a
mix of 2 or 3 species of predatory mites – different species work at different temperatures/humidities – so a
mix is best. Also ladybugs, lacewings, syrphid larvae and predatory midge larvae will attack and control
populations if done early enough. Rescue treatments using hot pepper wax, insecticidal soap or similar approved
9. Cucumber beetles – several types Diabrotica – 3 spp. – Western (adults dark green & have W on back),
Southern (12-spotted Cuke beetle), and Northern (adults are Solid Green) larvae (rootworms) are similar in life
history to flea beetle larvae. There is bait for these – Cidetrak (curcurbit juice). Control: Trap adults; use Hb
nematodes as under Flea beetles above.
10. Japanese beetle (JB)/Exotic scarabs (oriental beetle, (OB) Asiatic Garden Beetle, etc.)
JB & exotic scarab larva (grubs) live in the soil and feed on plant roots. Controls – Nematode Heterhorhabiditis
bacteriophora (Hb). Parasites: 1) Tiphia vernalis/popilliavora – wasp attacks spring/fall JB/OB grubs in the soil
(www.drmcbug.com); Istocheta aldrichi (Winsome Fly) Established in NE USA and around Boone, NC; should
establish in cooler areas throughout the mountains of western NC, TN, VA. Tricks – Nemas, soil temperature
must be above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Critical to get healthy viable nematodes from a fresh, good source. Can
refrigerate good Nemas for 2-4 weeks. For Tiphia, Tulip poplar trees or a similar nearby nectar source is necessary
to get high rates of parasitization. For Istocheta, nectar sources in late June/July – in Japan it uses extrafloral
nectarines of the Japanese knotweed Polygonum cuspidatum, which is a noxious weed.
11. Mexican bean beetle and Squash Beetle – Control -Pediobius foevulatus – wasp; doesn’t overwinter. Timing
and release amount (1000 wasps total) is critical! Release when you see EGGS of Bean Beetles. Two releases of
wasps about 2-3 weeks apart. Beetle larvae become mummified, and have exit holes where the wasps emerge.
These things work great in warmer climes, or if you are in a warm spot. Thanks & remember – if you grow the food plants,
they will come…