Natural enemies
Natural enemies can be very important in the control
of aphids, especially on farms and gardens not sprayed with broad-spectrum
pesticides that kill natural enemy species as well as pests. Usually,
natural
enemy populations do not appear in significant numbers until some
time after aphids begin to be numerous. Among the most important
natural enemies are natural fungal diseases, various species of
parasitic wasps, and predators
such as lady beetles, soldier
beetles, and syrphid
fly larvae. Some of the most
common general predators are green
lacewings, damsel
bugs, assassin bugs, bigeyed
bugs, minute pirate
bugs, and spiders.
For more information, see the Natural
Enemies Gallery. |
Green lacewing adult |
