Above: lady beetles are being released into Purdue greenhouses as a biological control agent. Photo by Purdue University. Some insects are pests, but not all insects are bad. Overwhelmingly, the ...

These beneficial insects are “good guy” bugs that help control pests naturally and pollinate flowers. Plant pests, such as snails, slugs, and tomato hornworms, can wreak havoc on ornamental and edible ...

If your garden is out of balance and the pests are winning, beneficial insects might help bring order back—but only as a last resort. If you're a gardener, you know that few things are more ...

Nicknamed “aphid wolves,” lacewings are beneficial insects with a voracious appetite for common pests. These generalist predators consume various prey in their larval and adult stages. Surprisingly, ...

If you’ve ever spent an afternoon pulling weeds, you know how relentless they can be. But what if some of those stubborn plants are actually doing your garden, and you, a favor? Some weeds can improve ...

Many people believe that all insects are harmful pests, but the fact is that most insects areharmless and some are actually beneficial. There are nearly one million known species of insects on the ...

Winter doesn't have to mean a lifeless garden or a silent backyard. Even when frost creeps in and most plants retreat, some hardy heroes keep buzzing with activity, quietly supporting pollinators and ...

Support local journalism: Find offers for new subscribers here: Special Offers — FLORIDA TODAY. Want to read our e-Edition? Here are some tips for getting the best experience. I’m going to bet that ...

Who and what are pollinators and why should you care? Bees, wasps, ants, butterflies, moths, flies, and even a few beetles are pollinators and their hard work in our gardens provides food for our ...

Insects are everywhere, crawling across sidewalks, hanging out in our gardens, and even invading our homes. Despite inhabiting nearly every corner of the planet, many of the most common insect species ...