Beneficials/Pollinators
Introduction to Beneficials
Landscape Managers are increasingly asked to provide nonchemical means of pest control for customers. Government regulation of pesticides is becoming more and more restrictive, providing further incentive to use biologically-based pest management methods. Natural control tactics may include the use of pest-resistant plants (a subject treated elsewhere in this manual), use of pheromones, sterile male releases. The use of parasites, predators, and pathogens to reduce numbers of unwanted insect or mite pests is the most common definition of biological control and will be the subject of this section.
Identification and Biology of Some Important Predators
Below is a list of the most common beneficial insects (predators) and pollinators you are likely to find in the southeast. Click on the names to learn more about each insect.
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