Name another beneficial insect used in pest management.

Name another beneficial insect used in pest management.

• A. Lady beetle
• B. Ground beetle
• C. Lacewing
• D. Parasitic wasp

Answer: (C)

Natural enemies that prey on pest insects help control populations without chemical sprays. Lacewings are especially effective because their larvae are voracious generalist predators, often called aphid lions, and they target a wide range of soft-bodied pests such as aphids, whiteflies, mealybugs, thrips, and spider mites. This means a single lacewing brood can rapidly reduce pest numbers on crops, providing strong early-season suppression. The larvae do most of the feeding, while the adults contribute by visiting flowers for nectar and pollen, helping sustain the population in the field or greenhouse. This broad and active predation makes lacewings a versatile and reliable choice in integrated pest management. While other beneficial insects like lady beetles and parasitic wasps are valuable, lacewings are particularly noted for quickly attacking multiple pest species, including eggs and early stages, which often leads to quicker suppression of outbreaks.

Natural enemies that prey on pest insects help control populations without chemical sprays. Lacewings are especially effective because their larvae are voracious generalist predators, often called aphid lions, and they target a wide range of soft-bodied pests such as aphids, whiteflies, mealybugs, thrips, and spider mites. This means a single lacewing brood can rapidly reduce pest numbers on crops, providing strong early-season suppression. The larvae do most of the feeding, while the adults contribute by visiting flowers for nectar and pollen, helping sustain the population in the field or greenhouse. This broad and active predation makes lacewings a versatile and reliable choice in integrated pest management. While other beneficial insects like lady beetles and parasitic wasps are valuable, lacewings are particularly noted for quickly attacking multiple pest species, including eggs and early stages, which often leads to quicker suppression of outbreaks.