All-Star Bugs: Insects You Should Welcome in Your Garden

Many a gardener has waged a never ending war against insects and pests in the garden. From cutworms to caterpillars, from aphids to slugs, there are quite a few pests that can wreck havoc on your garden in a matter of days. Be careful, though, not to fall into the trap of thinking that all bugs are harmful or should be not welcomed in your garden. The truth is, there are quite a few "good bugs" that any garden should be proud to welcome. Here are a few of the all stars that can help bring out the best in your garden.

All Star Bug #1: The Assassin Bug

This ferocious looking bug is great for, well assassinating such pest as flies, mosquitoes, beetles and large caterpillars. The assassin bug is about 1/4 to one inch long, and has a cone shaped head and wide curving beak. This curving beak can cause a painful bite to humans, so it's best if you leave it alone if you come across it in your garden. These wonderful pest control agents have one generation per year, so their own numbers shouldn't become too much of a problem.

All Star Bug # 2: Bald Faced Hornet

These insects are a great predator for smaller wasps, flies, even crane flies. Also, depending on the plants you have in your garden, bald faced hornets can provide cross pollination. These bugs resemble a yellow jacket wasp, but are larger, almost 3/4 of an inch in length. They are mostly black, with a white face and white markings on the tip of the abdomen. Their large paper nests can measure a surprisingly 14 inches in diameter and 24 inches long. Of course, being a hornet, they will sting humans if the nest is disturbed, so be sure to consider how close the nest is to frequent human activity in your garden. Also, be sure to consider if anyone who comes in frequent contact with your garden is allergic to the sting. If the nest is outside areas of frequent human interaction, and allergic reactions are not a real concern, consider welcoming this pest control agent as your garden guest.

All Star Bug # 3: Centipede

Don't let the legends and stories fool you. A centipede is a wonderful bug to have as a guest in your garden, especially if you have a problem with slugs. These long, multiple legged creature can be anywhere between 1/2 and 3 inches. Centipedes can be a number of different colors, but a brown and black are the two most common colors. They thrive in moist areas, including your garden and compost piles. Centipedes are great for combating a slug problem, and they also offer extermination services for some fly larvae, and snails. A centipede kills by poison, and although the poison isn't deadly to people, the sting can still be painful.

All Star Bug # 4: The Dragonfly

Usually noticed around water, these beneficial bugs can be identified by their long narrow bodies, large compound eyes, and four transparent wings. Dragonflies are wonderful bugs to have around, especially if you're worried about aphids ruining your roses. In addition, they also are fond of mosquitoes, and other pest bugs that could frequent your garden. Since dragonflies are attracted to water and marshy areas, if you have a lake side garden, you can pretty much count on these visitors on a regular basis.

All Star Bug # 5: Ground Beetle

Chances are your garden is already home to a number of ground beetles. Their color and shape can vary widely, but the outer shell is usually shiny. Ground beetles can be ferocious looking, but they are not known to bite people. Ground beetles are a great way for controlling many of the soil inhabiting pests, such as cutworms and root maggots. Some even dine on slugs or snails, some of the most destructive garden pests.

All Star Bug # 6: The Spider

Spiders, as you probably already know, aren't insects at all. They can be identified by their eight legs and two part bodies. These important predators feed on just about every insect that could inhabit your garden, and therefore can be a great way for you to combat the damage they can do. So the next time you see some spider webs in your garden, remember how much good they are doing for you.

These are just a few of the beneficial bugs that can grace your garden. Whether they're there for pest control, or pollination, each one of these bugs can help you transform your garden into a place of wonder and beauty.