Beneficials in the Garden & Landscape is an EarthKindTM program coordinated through Extension Horticulture at Texas A&M University. Earth Kind uses research-proven techniques to provide maximum gardening and landscape enjoyment while preserving and protecting our environment.
We love
ladybugs, don't ya know...
they eat bad bugs, so plants can grow.
Not all insects (and other critters) in the garden and landscape are bad guys. On these pages you can learn about some of the "bugs" and other garden visitors that you may want to attract, maintain or at least leave be, so they can do their jobs of helping to control the truly bad guys. Conservation of beneficials is an important component of pest control utilizing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices.
All images (with the exception of two) are copyrighted by the Galveston County Master Gardener Association (GCMGA) and were captured in the Galveston-Houston area. These images are for educational use only and may not be used for any non-educational or commercial purpose without written permission from GCMGA.
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Introduction & Purpose |
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All of Nature
is Connected |
Types of
Beneficials |
"Good Bugs” vs. |
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Attracting Beneficials |
Insect Metamorphosis |
Scientific Names |
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Our MG Writers and MG
Photographers |
Our Insect Collection |
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The MG Specialist in
Entomology Program |
Acknowledgments |
E-mail Your Comments |
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Insect Predators |
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Ant (Order: Hymenoptera)
Elongate Twig Ant |
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Ant Lion (Order: Neuroptera)
Ant Lion |
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Ambush Bug (Order: Hemiptera)
Jagged Ambush Bug |
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Assassin Bug (Order: Hemiptera)
Bee Assassin Bug |
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Assassin Bug (Order: Hemiptera)
Horned Assassin Bug |
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Assassin Bug (Order: Hemiptera)
Leafhopper Assassin Bug |
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Assassin Bug (Order: Hemiptera)
Milkweed Assassin Bug |
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Assassin Bug (Order: Hemiptera)
Rough Stink Bug |
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Assassin Bug (Order: Hemiptera)
Wheel Bug |
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Beetle (Order: Coleoptera)
Eyed Elater |
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Damselfly (Order: Odonata)
Damselflies |
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Dragonfly (Order: Odonata)
Dragonflies |
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Firefly (Order: Coleoptera)
Lightning Bug / Firefly |
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Harvestmen / Daddylonglegs (Order: Opiliones)
Harvestmen |
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Lacewings (Order: Neuroptera)
Green Lacewing |
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Lady Beetle (Order: Coleoptera)
Lady Beetles:
General Overview |
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Lady Beetle (Order: Coleoptera)
Mealybug Destroyer |
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Lady Beetle (Order: Coleoptera)
Twice-stabbed Lady Beetle |
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Lizard
Geckos |
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Lizard
Green Anole |
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Lizard
Skink Lizards |
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Mantid (Order: Mantodea)
Praying Mantis |
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Owlfly (Order: Neuroptera)
Owlflies: General
Overview |
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Spider
Spiders: General Overview |
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Spider
Banana Spider |
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Spider
Black and Yellow
Argiope |
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Spider
Green Lynx Spider |
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Spider
Spiny Orb Weaver Spider |
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Tiger Beetles (Order: Coleoptera)
Tiger Beetles: General Overview |
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True Flies (Order: Diptera)
Hover/syrphid/flower Flies |
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True Flies (Order: Diptera)
Mydas Fly (Mydas
clavata) |
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True Flies (Order: Diptera)
Mydas Fly (Mydas
chrysostomus) |
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True Flies (Order: Diptera)
Robber Flies |
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True Flies (Order: Diptera)
Texas Long-legged Flies |
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Wasp (Order: Hymenoptera)
Paper Wasp |
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Water Bug (Order: Hemiptera)
Giant Water Bug |
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Insect Predators with Bad Reputations: Can Bad Bugs Do Good??? |
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Land Planarium
Land Planarium |
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Ant (Order: Hymenoptera)
Red Imported Fire Ants |
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Insect Parasitoids |
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Wasp (Order: Hymenoptera)
Braconid Wasp on
Hornworms |
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Wasp (Order: Hymenoptera)
Braconid Wasp on Aphids |
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Wasp (Order: Hymenoptera)
Cicada Killer Wasp |
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Wasp (Order: Hymenoptera)
Ensign Wasp |
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Wasp (Order: Hymenoptera)
Great Golden Digger Wasp |
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Wasp (Order: Hymenoptera)
Ichneumonid Wasps: An Overview |
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Wasp (Order: Hymenoptera)
Potter Wasp |
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Wasp (Order: Hymenoptera)
Red and Black Mason Wasp |
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Pollinators |
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The Basics
Pollination & Pollinators . . . The
Basics |
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Bumble Bees (Order: Hymenoptera)
Bumble
Bees |
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Carpenter Bees (Order: Hymenoptera)
Carpenter Bees |
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Butterflies (Order: Lepidoptera)
Butterflies |
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Moths (Order: Lepidoptera)
Moths |
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Honey Bees (Order: Hymenoptera)
Honey Bees |
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Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds |
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True Flies (Order: Diptera)
True Flies |
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Recyclers / Decomposers |
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Beetle (Order: Coleoptera)
Ox or Elephant
Beetle |
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Beetle (Order: Coleoptera)
Burying Beetles |
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Earthworms
Earthworms |
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Psocid (Order: Psocoptera)
Barklice (Archipsocus sp.) |
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Psocid (Order: Psocoptera)
Barklice (Cerastipsocus
sp.) |
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True Flies (Order: Diptera)
Black Soldier Fly |
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True Flies (Order: Diptera)
Crane Flies |
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True Flies (Order: Diptera)
Lovebugs |
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