Beneficial Insect | Description | Crops/Host | Image |
Ladybird beetle | Adult lady beetles are oval shaped and most are orange or reddish with black markings , the spot pattern is usually 1-4-2, on the orange or red forewings. Both adult and the larvae predate upon aphids in different crops , immature scale insect, mealy bugs, mites and other soft-bodied insect pests as well as insect eggs. | ||
Red tree Ant | The red ant, Oecophylla smaragdina ( Fabricius) was used by the Chinese in citrus grooves to control various foliage feeding pests.This species was also used by the date palm growers of Yemen. In Bhutan these Red tree ants are present in citrus orchards and they are effective predators of the Citrus Shield bug. | ||
Assassin Bug | Assassin bugs are generally black or brown, but many are brightly colored. The head is elongate with a short, curved beak. Nymphs are just as effective in controlling pests as adults. All species are predaceous and attack a wide variety of insects. They will inflict a painful bite if handled |  | |
Praying Mantids | Prying Mantids are usually large insects. Some are brown, others are green and some are a mottled color. The front legs are covered with spines and modified for grasping and holding their prey. Mantids are the only insects that have a freely moveable head, and it has a characteristic triangular shape. Mantids wait for their prey with the front legs in an upraised position. Thus the name praying mantids. | ||
Syrphid flies | Syrphid flies are commonly found on flowers and are also known as flower flies or hover flies. The flies vary greatly in color and size, but most are yellow with brown or black bands on the abdomen. Many resemble wasps, others closely resemble bees, but none sting. The flies have the ability to hover in flight for long periods. Many syrphid fly larvae are predaceous, especially on aphids. The larvae are maggot-like, have no legs or visible head and are a greenish, or light translucent color | ||
Lace wings | Common Lace wings( Green Lace Wings) are common insects, found on weeds, cultivated crops and shrubs. Most are greenish with copper-colored eyes. The wings are transparent with many veins, which give them the name lacewings. Most are relatively slow flyers. The adults may be predaceous or feed on pollen. |  | |
Damsel fly | Damsel fly |
