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Beneficial insects and control of harmful ones in your garden By Joe Wolf Polk County Master Gardener There are over 13,000 species of insects here in Florida. Of those less than 1% are harmful to our plants or us. The other 99% are either helpful or just ignore us. We depend on insects. We all know that bees pollinate most of our fruits and nuts and without them these foods would be eliminated from our diets. Polk’s important citrus industry depends on bees for pollination. There are other pollinators as well: butterflies, wasps, moths, flies, beetles, midges, thrips and even ants. These insects pollinate many of our Lady Bug Larvae eating aphids vegetables, trees, shrubs and flowers. Insects do many other things in our landscapes as well. Some beetles and ants recycle nutrients and aerate the soil. Still other insects are predatory on harmful insects. Because so many insects are helpful to us we need to be careful how we spray pesticides on our plants when they are infested with a harmful insect. First we need to identify the kind of insect which is causing our problem. Look closely at the damaged portion of the plant and if possible find the insect causing the damage. Many insects are small so we may just see some small bumps on the stem or the underside of the leaves. Other times we will just see the damage but not the cause. Just because an insect is on the plant, does not mean it is causing the problem as for example, the insect you see may be eating the insect causing the problem: think of a ladybug eating aphids. To control these harmful insects we should use the method least harmful to the plant or other insects. If the harmful insect is large, like a caterpillar or grasshopper, you can just remove it and then destroy it. But before you remove a caterpillar; be sure it is not the larvae of a butterfly. I generally use my gloved hands or my clippers. Sometimes if you just throw a caterpillar far enough from the plant it will never find its way back. Small mites can be washed off with the hose. They are too small to climb back onto the plant. If only one or a few branches are infested, you can clip off those branches; throw them into the trash to eliminate the problem. A parasitic wasp If mechanical means will not work, then use the least offensive insecticide possible. A parasitic wasp Piercing/sucking insects, such as aphids, scales or whiteflies, pierce the plant and suck the sap from it causing some of our worst problems. These insects don’t move much so a simple spraying of a horticultural soap or insecticidal oil will smother them. After they are dead they may still be physically on the plant but they will cause Predatory ground beetle no more harm. Most beneficial insects will move away and not be harmed. The soap and oil can be used together or separately. You can purchase insecticidal soap and horticultural oil. Follow the directions on the label for use, but generally you will use 2 to 3 tablespoons per gallon of water. There are other times when a few leaves are eaten or a little aesthetic damage is done to the plant that it is best to ignore the problem. You need to watch the plant closely to insure that no serious damage is done, but you need to do nothing further. When stronger insecticides are called for only use those labeled for the insect causing the problem. You need to identify the insect or you may use the wrong insecticide and cause more harm than good. Not all insecticides kill all insects and they certainly do not kill fungus or cure nutritional problems. Use the mildest insecticide possible for the problem insect and then spray it only on the infested plant. Do not spray when it is windy or just before a rain. Many insecticides need to be kept away from lakes and streams. Read and follow the label on the insecticide before using it. It will tell you everything you need to know. The goal is to control insect pests and do as little harm as possible. Often, if allowed, those other 99% of helpful insects will control the 1% harmful ones. Green Lacewing