Forget the bats, spiders, and black cats. If you want to learn about some truly spooky creatures this Halloween, keep reading!
Many people are familiar with insect predators, like lady beetles/ladybugs, that eat other insects. But not many know about another type of good bug or “natural enemy”—parasitoids. These creepy insects can help reduce pest populations by parasitizing them.
What is a parasitoid?
Parasites such as fleas and ticks live and feed on their host without killing it. Parasitoids are like parasites but DO eventually kill their host....
- Author: Elaine Lander
- Author: Karey Windbiel-Rojas
“Aphids are really bad this year!” This is what we've been hearing on social media and from many home gardeners. Aphids can curl leaves, stunt plant growth, and make a mess by the sticky honeydew they exude. Some aphid species create galls which can also damage plants. Low to moderate aphid infestations usually don't damage plants but if you do have more aphids this year, there are many options for controlling them.
Aphids in landscapes and gardens can be managed by a number of different methods, including biological control. Biological control is when naturally occurring beneficial insects, mites, or other organisms (also called natural enemies) reduce a pest's abundance by eating or parasitizing them.
There...
- Author: Elaine Lander
While you are home working, learning, or relaxing, you may have noticed a few other critters sharing space with you. If some of these critters have 8 legs, we have a video to show you how to catch and release them!
Why might you release spiders outside? Spiders are beneficial insects called natural enemies. They are predators that help control other pests and insect eggs.
Praying mantids are well-known predators we often see lurking around gardens, landscapes, and sometimes near porch lights, waiting for a tasty meal to arrive.
Praying mantid adults are 2 to 4 inches (5-10 cm) long and are usually yellowish, green, or brown. Mantids (often referred to as praying mantis) go through incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and have one generation per year. Overwintering eggs are laid in groups in hard, grayish egg cases which are glued to wood, bark, or other plant material. Adults and immatures (nymphs) have an elongated thorax and grasping forelegs, which they have the...
![Green lacewing life cycle.[J.K. Clark]](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/UCIPMurbanpests/blogfiles/43911small.png)
Last week, we discussed some common beneficial predators that help control pests on garden and landscape plants. One such predator you might find, is a lacewing. In fact, you may have seen adult lacewings on or near porchlights in the evening, since these insects are attracted to lights.
Green Lacewings
Green lacewing (Chrysopa spp., Chrysoperla spp.) adults are green, soft-bodied insects with golden eyes and four membranous wings. Their larvae are pale with dark markings and a tapered tail, and measure 1/8 to 4/5 of an inch long.
There are several species of green lacewings; some species have predaceous adults, while others feed only on...
