The Home Garden

Beneficial Insects

Aphid Midges

Aphid Midges

Pollinator
Yes
Preys On

Aphids

Attracted By

Dill

Most pollen & nectar rich plants

A source of water 

Bees

Bees

Pollinator
Yes
Preys On
Attracted By

Alyssum, Cosmos, Queen Anne’s Lace, Calendula, Daisies, Yarrow, Dill, Pineapple Sage, Rosemary, Lavender, Oregano, Basil, Parsley

Butterflies

Butterflies

Pollinator
Yes
Preys On
Attracted By

Allium, Goldenrod, Lavender, Mint, Viola, Sage, Snapdragon, Zinnia

Damsel Bugs

Damsel Bugs

Preys On

Caterpillars, Mites, Aphids, Thrips, Leafhoppers, Corn Earworm, Diamondback Moth & Moth Larvae

Attracted By

Caraway, Fennel, Alfalfa, Spearmint, Goldenrod, Cosmos, Alfalfa, Marigold-'Lemon Gem' 

Dragonflies

Dragonflies

Pollinator
Yes
Preys On

Mosquitoes, Moths, Fungas Gnats, Flies, Beetles

Attracted By

A water source

 

Ground Beetles

Ground Beetles

Preys On

Slugs, Caterpillars, Cabbage Worms, Cabbage Loopers, Ants, Cutworms, Cabbage Root Maggots, Corn Earworms.

Will even eat other beetles such as the Asparagus Beetle & Potato Beetle. 

Attracted By

Evening Primrose, Amaranthus, Clover, Leaf Litter, Compost Heaps

Hoverflies

Hoverflies

Pollinator
Yes
Preys On

Aphids, Scale Insects, Caterpillars, Thrips

Attracted By

Yarrow, Dill, Caraway, Coriander, Cosmos, Queen Anne's Lace, Fennel, English Lavender, Sweet Alyssum, Lemon Balm, Spearmint, Parsley

Lacewings

Lacewings

Pollinator
Yes
Preys On

Aphids, Whitefly, Leafhopper Nymphs, Mealybugs, Small Caterpillars, Mites, Armyworm Eggs. Will also attack the eggs of most pests. 

Attracted By

Dill, Angelica, Coriander, Dandelion, Fennel, Caraway, Queen Anne's Lace, Yarrow

Ladybugs

Ladybugs

Preys On

Aphids, Whitefly, Mites, Fleas, Scale Insects, Mealy bugs. Ladybugs also feed on the Asparagus Beetle eggs, Leafhopper Nymphs, Moth Eggs (Cabbage Looper, Cabbage Worm), Potato Beetle Larvae, Psyllid, Armyworm Eggs. 

Also feeds on Powdery Mildew- a common fungal disease which affects plants.

Attracted By

Dill, Dandelion, Yarrow, Angelica, Goldenrod, Coriander, Fennel, Queen Anne's Lace, Marigold- Lemon Gem

Mealybug Destroyers

Mealybug Destroyers

Preys On

Mealybugs

Attracted By

Fennel, Dill, Angelica, Sunflower, Goldenrod

Minute Pirate Bugs

Minute Pirate Bugs

Preys On

Spider Mites, Caterpillars, Aphids, Thrips, Psyllids, Soft Bodied Arthropods & Insects, Corn Earworm, Armyworm Larvae 

Attracted By

Caraway, Fennel, Alfalfa, Spearmint, Goldenrod, Marigold-'Lemon Gem', Yarrow, Daises, Queen Anne's Lace 

Parasitic Wasps

Parasitic Wasps

Pollinator
Yes
Preys On

Tomato Hornworm, Caterpillars, Aphids, Corn Earworm, Beetle Larvae, Cabbage Worm, Cabbage Looper, Potato Beetle, Cucumber Beetles, Cutworms, Japanese Beetles, Leafminers, Mealybugs, Mexican Bean Beetles, Sawfly Larvae, Scale Insects, Squash Vine Borers, Armyworm

Attracted By

Yarrow, Dill, Lemon Balm, Parsley, Caraway, Coriander, Queen Anne's Lace, Fennel, Sweet Alyssum, Thyme, Marigold-'Lemon Gem', Allium, Goldenrod, Zinnia

Praying Mantis

Praying Mantis

Preys On

Caterpillars, Moths, Beetles, Crickets, Aphids, Leafhoppers, Mosquitoes, Flies

Attracted By

Raspberry Canes, Angelica, Yarrow, Dill, Fennel, Caraway

Predatory Mites

Predatory Mites

Preys On

Spider Mite, Two-Spotted Mite, Thrips

Attracted By

Common Mint, Spearmint

Any plants which are susceptible to pest mites.

Soldier Beetles

Soldier Beetles

Preys On

Grasshopper Eggs, Aphids, Soft-Bodied Insects, Moths, Corn Earworm 

Attracted By

Goldenrod, Zinnia, Marigold, Daisies, Alfalfa, Yarrow, Fennel

Spiders

Spiders

Preys On

Aphids, Roaches, Grasshoppers, Mosquitoes, Fruit Flies, Flies, Beetles 

Attracted By

Tall Plants, Mulches, Trees

Tachinid Flies

Tachinid Flies

Pollinator
Yes
Preys On

Moths, Japanese Beetles, Cutworms, Squash Bugs, Grasshoppers, Cabbage Loopers, Armyworms, Sawflly Larvae, Codling Moths, Caterpillars, Squash Bugs

Attracted By

Dill, Coriander, Buckwheat, Caraway, Queen Anne's Lace, Fennel, Lemon Balm, Spearmint, Parsley, Goldenrod, Marigold, Clover