What Is: Beneficial Insects?
Beneficial insects are valued by many farmers, organic gardeners, horticulturists and environmentally-conscious people because they assist in healthy plant and crop production by encouraging pollination and eliminating other insects that can destroy plant life. Also known simply as "beneficials," these insects can reduce or eliminate the need for pesticides, which not only destroy the "pest" insects but also the beneficial ones, as well as being toxic to humans. As many as 500 species of pests have shown some level of pesticide-resistance, making beneficials all the more crucial. Beneficial insects can be attracted naturally by planting "insectary plants" such as calendula, coriander, cosmos, dill and fennel. Businesses specializing in biological pest control and integrated pest management also sell many varieties of beneficial insects including bees, ladybugs, lacewings, fly parasites, praying mantis, predatory mites, mealybug destroyer beetles, microscopic beneficial nematodes, trichogramma wasps and white-fly parasites for use in both agriculture and horticulture applications.
