Beneficial Insects

Ladybirds, Ladybird beetles, Lady Beetles, Ladybugs of Florida, Coleoptera: Coccinellidae

J. H. Frank, R. F. Mizell, III

Parasitoids of Dipteran leafminers, Diglyphus spp. (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Eulophidae)

Jian Li and Dakshina R. Seal

A Bombardier Beetle Pheropsophus aequinoctialis (L.) (Insecta: Coleoptera: Carabidae)

Gregory Parrow and Adam Dale

Pheropsophus aequinoctialis (L.) is a carabid beetle in the tribe Brachinini that is native to parts of South and Central America. Ground beetles of this tribe are commonly referred to as bombardier beetles due to their ability to produce a powerful and hot defensive chemical spray directed at would-be predators.

A Tiphiid Wasp Myzinum maculata Fabricius (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Tiphiidae: Myzininae)

Donald Spence and Amanda Hodges

Leafminer Parasitoid Opius dissitus Muesebeck (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Jian Li, Dakshina Seal, and Gary Leibee

Guava Pests and Beneficial Insects

Daniel Carrillo, Jorge Peña, and Rita Duncan

This document provides an overview of the major pests affecting guava crops in Florida, including guava whitefly, red-banded thrips, guava fruit moth, Caribbean fruit fly, mealybugs, and various scales. It details their life cycles, damage symptoms, and control measures, emphasizing the limited availability of registered insecticides for guava. The document also highlights the importance of selecting appropriate pesticides and adhering to label instructions to ensure effective pest management and compliance with regulations. Date first printed: October 1993.

Waterlily Leafcutter, Elophila obliteralis (Walker) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Crambidae: Acentropinae)

Dale H. Habeck, James P. Cuda and Emma N.I. Weeks

Predatory Gall Midge (Unofficial Common Name), Feltiella acarisuga (Vallot) (Insecta: Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)

Ryan S. Osborne, Norman C. Leppla, and Lance S. Osborne

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids, and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

Pale Damsel Bug Nabis capsiformis Germar (Insecta: Hemiptera: Nabidae)

Karol L. Krey and Justin M. Renkema

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

Red and Black Mason Wasp (suggested common name) Pachodynerus erynnis (Lepeletier) (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

Kelly Laplante, Wayne Hobbs, and Adam Dale

Scouting for Insects, Use of Thresholds, and Conservation of Beneficial Insects on Tomatoes

David J. Schuster and Hugh A. Smith

Whitefly Predatory Lady Beetle (suggested common name) Delphastus catalinae (Horn) (Insecta: Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Janine Razze and Oscar E. Liburd

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

Grass-Like Mantid, American Grass Mantid, Thesprotia graminis, (Scudder, 1878) (Insecta: Mantodea: Thespidae)

Bethany McGregor, Nathan Burkett-Cadena, and Andrea Lucky

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

Larra Wasps, Mole Cricket Hunters (suggested names) Larra analis Fabricius and Larra bicolor Fabricius (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Crabronidae)

J. H. Frank and A. Sourakov

Wasp Parasitoid Utetes anastrephae (Viereck) (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Charles Stuhl and John Sivinski

This document provides an overview of the wasp parasitoid Utetes anastrephae (Viereck), detailing its taxonomy, distribution, physical characteristics, life cycle, behavior, and economic importance. Utetes anastrephae is notable for parasitizing several species of Anastrepha fruit flies, including major pests. The species exhibits a wide distribution from Florida to Argentina and plays a significant role in biological control by inflicting high levels of parasitism on fruit fly pests. The document also highlights the parasitoid's unique morphological traits and its ecological niche in native fruit trees. Original publication date July 2012.

Mango Pests and Beneficial Insects

Daniel Carrillo, Rita Duncan, and Jorge Peña

This document provides an overview of the major pests affecting mango crops in Florida, including thrips, mirids, mealybugs, scales, mites, whiteflies, blackflies, beetles, and red-banded thrips. It details their life cycles, damage symptoms, and control measures, emphasizing the importance of monitoring and selecting appropriate pesticides. The document also highlights the role of natural enemies and the need for adherence to pesticide regulations to ensure effective pest management and compliance with safety guidelines. Date first printed: October 1993. 

Pitaya (Dragon Fruit) (Hylocereus undatus) Pests and Beneficial Insects

Daniel Carrillo, Rita Duncan, and Jorge E. Peña

Fiery Searcher, Caterpillar Hunter Calosoma scrutator (Fabricius 1775) (Insecta: Coleoptera: Carabidae)

Ann Marie Carias and Andrea Lucky

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids, and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

A Cockroach Egg Parasitoid, Evania appendigaster (Linnaeus) (Hymenoptera: Evaniidae)

Lionel A. Stange

A UF/IFAS numbered Organism ID. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Integrated Pest Management. This document provides an in-depth profile of the cockroach egg parasitoid, Evania appendigaster (Linnaeus), detailing its identification, distribution, biology, and potential for biological control. Originating from the Orient, this wasp is now widespread in tropical and subtropical regions. It parasitizes cockroach egg cases, with the female inserting her ovipositor into the egg case to lay a single egg. The developing larva consumes all the cockroach eggs within the case. The document also discusses the wasp's competitors and its potential effectiveness in controlling cockroach populations.

A Wasp Parasitoid Meteorus autographae Muesebeck (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Andrei Sourakov and Everett Mitchell

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

A Wasp Parasitoid, Diadegma insulare (Cresson) (Insecta: Hymenotera: Ichneumonidae)

Andrei Sourakov and Everett Mitchell

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

Classical Biological Control of Brazilian Peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolia) in Florida

J. P. Cuda, D. H. Habeck, W. A. Overholt, J. C. Medal, J. H. Pedrosa-Macedo, M. D. Vitorino, and C. R. Minteer

This document discusses the classical biological control of the invasive Brazilian peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolia) in Florida. It highlights the tree’s aggressive spread, ecological impact, and the limitations of conventional control methods. The article details the introduction and effectiveness of various biological control agents, including thrips, sawflies, leaf rollers, weevils, and psyllids, in managing the Brazilian peppertree. The goal is to reduce the tree’s dominance and restore native biodiversity in affected ecosystems. First published 1999. 

Hydrilla Leafcutter Moth (unofficial common name) Parapoynx diminutalis Snellen (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

Julie Baniszewski, Emma N.I. Weeks, James P. Cuda, and Carey Minteer

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids, and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

Brown Lacewings (of Florida) (Insecta: Neuroptera: Hemerobiidae)

Ellis G. MacLeod and Lionel A. Stange

A UF/IFAS numbered Organism ID. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Integrated Pest Management. This document provides an in-depth profile of brown lacewings (Neuroptera: Hemerobiidae) in Florida, detailing their distribution, biology, identification, and role as biological control agents. Brown lacewings are predaceous insects that primarily feed on aphids and other soft-bodied pests. The article includes identification keys for adults and larvae, discusses their life cycle, and highlights their effectiveness in pest management. It also covers the various species found in Florida and their specific habitats, contributing valuable information for both academic and practical applications in entomology. Published: August 2001.

Alligatorweed Flea Beetle Agasicles hygrophila Selman and Vogt (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Halticinae)

Ted D. Center, James P. Cuda, Michael J. Grodowitz, and Carey R. Minteer

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids, and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

American Sand Wasp (suggested common name), Bembix americana Fabricius, 1793 (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Crabronidae: Bembicinae)

Marirose P. Kuhlman and Adam G. Dale

This publication describes the identification, biology, and importance of the American sand wasps (Bembix americana Fabricius), which are a subspecies-complex of large, robust wasps in the subfamily Bembicinae. They nest gregariously in bare soil and provision their nests with flies (order Diptera). The females are progressive provisioners, meaning they continue to provide their developing larvae with prey until the larvae pupate. Males participate in a distinctive mating behavior called a “sun dance” in which groups of males fly low over nesting areas waiting for females to emerge so they can be the first to mate with them. Adults feed on flower nectar and can often be found visiting a variety of wildflowers. This species has a broad ecological range and can be found nesting in a variety of soil types and habitats.

Alligatorweed Stem Borer (suggested common name) Arcola malloi Pastrana (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Pyralidae: Phycitinae)

Bonnie C. Wells and Carey Minteer

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

Leptomastix dactylopii Howard (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae): parasitoid of mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

Salman Al-Shami and Jawwad A. Qureshi

This publication describes the biology, distribution, behavior, and impact of the parasitoid Leptomastix dactylopii Howard. This beneficial insect is known for providing significant reductions in mealybug populations in Florida and other locations. It is also intended to provide knowledge about this parasitoid to a wide range of interested audiences including growers, Extension agents, researchers, students, laypersons, and other stakeholders.

Using Banker Plants as an Additional Tool in Strawberry Integrated Pest Management

Allan Busuulwa, Lovely Adhikary, and Sriyanka Lahiri

The invasive Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood;(Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is currently the most significant pest of strawberries in Florida. Managing this pest is challenging due to its low susceptibility to many commonly used insecticides. As an additional management strategy, we propose using flowering plants (banker plants) to attract naturally occurring predators of thrips, which can help suppress S. dorsalis populations in field strawberries.

An Antlion, Glenurus gratus (Say) (Insecta: Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae)

Robert B. Miller and Lionel A. Stange

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

Tiger Beetles of Florida, Cicindela spp., Megacephala spp. (Insecta: Coleoptera: Carabidae: Cicindelinae)

P. M. Choate

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

Bigeyed Bugs, Geocoris spp. (Insecta: Hemiptera: Geocoridae)

F. W. Mead

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

A Parasitoid Wasp, Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

C. R. Thompson

A UF/IFAS numbered Organism ID. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Integrated Pest Management

Invertebrates as Biological Control Agents of Agricultural Pests

Xavier Martini and Hugh A. Smith

This publication aims to help readers identify the most common beneficial insects and invertebrates found in Florida gardens and promote their populations to minimize the use of insecticides. Written by Xavier Martini and Hugh A. Smith, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Entomology and Nematology, revised June 2025.

Balios Eulophid Baeoentedon balios Wang, Huang & Polaszek (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Eulophidae)

Muhammad Z. Ahmed, Yisell Velazquez Hernandez, Antonio Francis, Gregory Evans, Eric Rohrig, Lance Osborne, and Catharine Mannion

A UF/IFAS numbered Organism ID. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Integrated Pest Management

Wheel Bug, Arilus cristatus (Linnaeus) (Insecta: Hemiptera: Reduviidae)

F. W. Mead

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

Tomato Bug, Tobacco Leaf Bug, Tomato Mirid, Green Tobacco Capsid Nesidiocoris tenuis Reuter (Insecta: Hemiptera: Miridae)

Victoria Oluwaseun Adeleye and Dakshina R. Seal

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

Ringlegged Earwig, Euborellia annulipes (Lucas) (Insecta: Dermaptera: Anisolabididae)

John L. Capinera

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

Brazilian Peppertree Seed Chalcid, (unofficial common name) Megastigmus transvaalensis (Hymenoptera: Torymidae)

J. P. Cuda, D. H. Habeck, and G. S. Wheeler

A UF/IFAS numbered Organism ID for Academic and General Public audience(s). Published by Integrated Pest Management

Vespiform Thrips Franklinothrips vespiformis Crawford (Insecta: Thysanoptera: Aeolothripidae)

Runqian Mao, Yingfang Xiao, and Steven P. Arthurs

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

Convergent Lady Beetle Hippodamia convergens Guérin-Méneville (Insecta: Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Luis F. Aristizábal and Steven P. Arthurs

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

Brazilian Peppertree Thrips Pseudophilothrips ichini (Hood) (Insecta: Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae)

Patricia Prade, Carey R. Minteer, and James P. Cuda

A UF/IFAS numbered Organism ID. Published by Integrated Pest Management

A Wasp Parasitoid, Cotesia marginiventris (Cresson) (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Andrei Sourakov and Everett Mitchell

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

A Hister Beetle Carcinops pumilio (Erichson) (Insecta: Coleoptera: Histeridae: Dendrophilinae: Paromalini)

Matthew R. Moore and Phillip E. Kaufman

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

Wasp Parasitoid Doryctobracon areolatus (Szépligeti) (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Charles Stuhl and John Sivinski

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

Insidious Flower Bug, Minute Pirate Bug Orius insidiosus Say (Insecta: Hemiptera: Anthocoridae)

Danielle M. Williams, Joseph E. Funderburk, and Xavier Martini

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids, and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

A Parasitoid Muscidifurax raptor Girault & Sanders (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae)

Nicholas S. G. Tucker and Phillip E. Kaufman

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

Yellow Brazilian Pepper-tree Leaf Galler (suggested common name) Calophya latiforceps Burckhardt (Insecta: Hemiptera: Calophyidae: Calophyinae)

James P. Cuda, Patricia Prade, and Carey R. Minteer

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids, and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

Alligatorweed Thrips (Suggested Common Name) Amynothrips andersoni O'Neill (Insecta: Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae)

Ted D. Center, James P. Cuda, and Michael J. Grodowitz

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

Cactus Bug, Chelinidea vittiger aequoris McAtee (Insecta: Hemiptera: Coreidae)

F. W. Mead and J. L. Herring

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.