Beneficial Insects
Native vs Invasive Ladybugs: How to Spot the Difference
That red beetle in your garden might not be the native ladybug you think it is. This detailed identification guide walks you through the three most common lady beetle species in North America: the native convergent lady beetle with its distinctive converging white lines, the seven-spotted lady beetle introduced from Europe with its perfectly consistent seven spots, and the highly variable Asian lady beetle identifiable by the black "M" or "W" marking on its pronotum. While all three are effective pest predators, the introduced species can outcompete native ladybugs over time. The post also covers best practices for releasing ladybugs, tips for attracting natives to your garden through plant diversity, and answers to the most frequently asked questions about lady beetle identification and behavior.
Maximizing Your Fall Garden with Beneficial Insects
Cooler fall temperatures may slow some pests down, but they don't eliminate them, and as long as pests are active, beneficial insects can still do their job. This post highlights four of the best beneficial insects to deploy in the fall garden: green lacewing larvae for tackling aphids, mites, and whiteflies on cool-weather crops; ladybugs for a last push against aphids and scale insects before winter; Trichogramma for controlling caterpillars and moths both in the garden and indoors; and beneficial nematodes for targeting soil-dwelling pests like grubs and fungus gnat larvae below the surface. A fall release not only protects your current harvest but helps set up a healthier garden come spring.!
Green Lacewings for Natural Pest Control
Learn how to use these gentle pollinators and their “aphid lion” larvae to control aphids, whiteflies, and other soft-bodied pests at every life stage, with practical tips for choosing, releasing, and maintaining lacewing populations in gardens, greenhouses, and houseplants.