1. A Pocket Guide Biological Control Lady Beetles eggs
Common Natural Enemies Determine the relative populations of pests and (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)
natural enemies with preliminary monitoring. Then Identification larva
of Crop and Garden Pests use the following tactics to enhance biological Adults orange to red
with black spots, or
in the Pacific Northwest control as part of an IPM program.
mostly black; larvae
 Protect natural enemies from disturbances longer; eggs in pupa
such as pesticides, other management clusters. Adalia bipunctata
practices, their own natural enemies 1
⁄8 –1⁄3"
(e.g., ants), or adverse environmental
conditions.
 Provide supplementary nectar or pollen
sources, alternate hosts, or shelter.
Coccinella Olla abdominalis Hippodamia
 Manipulate the behaviors of natural enemies novemnotata convergens
with attractants or with plant structure and
arrangement. Observation tips Similar beetles
All stages found on plants.
 Augment natural enemy populations with mass
releases of lab-reared individuals. Predacious activity
EC 1613-E Adults and larvae prey on
December 2007  Introduce natural enemies that are aphids, scale insects, mites, Chrysomelid beetles
absent from t area. 3 and other small insects. 5
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General Observation Tips Green and Brown Lacewings
Using this Guide
 When doing visual counts, also inspect the (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae and Hemerobiidae)
The cards in this guide are designed to help
undersides of leaves.
you quickly learn the main groups of natural Identification eggs
enemies of crop and garden pests, their  Approach fast-moving insects slowly, or Light green or larva
predacious activity, and tips for observing them. use nets, beating trays, and traps to get a brown, large
Photographs are of the most common species in wings, long
closer look. antennae; larvae
the Pacific Northwest. flat with long
mouthparts;
Use this guide as a field supplement to other Distinguishing Natural Enemies eggs on stalks.
publications that provide more detail on how to
scout for and manage specific pests and natural from Plant Pests in General
enemies.
 Observe the specimen to see whether it Green lacewings, e.g., Chrysopa californica
Print each sheet on regular paper or cardstock. feeds on animals or plants. Observation
Then fold on the central horizontal line and cut tips
on the dotted orange lines to create three 2-sided  To see whether a particular natural enemy
Adults often seen
cards. (Laminate if needed.) attacks a target pest species, place flying or on plants;
individuals of both species together in an eggs and larvae on
enclosed environment that allows them plants. Brown lacewings, e.g., Hemerobius spp.
Most of the photographs in this pocket guide are
from the Ken Gray collection.
punch
room to move. Predacious activity
hole All other photographs are from the author. Larvae and adults mostly prey on aphids, 1
4 mealybugs, and other small insects. ⁄2 –3⁄4"
2 6

2. Predacious 1
⁄2 –3⁄4" larva egg Ground or “Carabid” Beetles Damsel or 1
⁄3 –1⁄2" nymph
Hoverflies (Coleoptera: Carabidae) “Nabid” Bugs
(Diptera: Syrphidae) puparium (Hemiptera: Nabidae)
aphids Scaphinotus
Identification
marginatus Identification
Adults mimic wasps and Identification Nabis spp. feeding on Lygus bugs
bees, but fly more quickly or Adults and nymphs long
Adults are dark or metallic larva
hover, often have yellow egg and thin with front legs
markings; larvae Eupeodes fumipennis with ridged wing covers; slighty enlarged for
maggotlike; eggs small, larvae grublike with large grabbing prey.
whitish, and oblong. mandibles.
1
⁄3 –2" Observation tips
Observation tips Observation tips Most commonly found Predacious activity
Eggs, larvae, and tarlike Sphaerophoria Adults mostly active at night; running on low, dense
Scaeva pyrastri Pterostichus scitulus Adults and nymphs prey on other
excrement are found at look for fast-running adults vegetation.
sulphuripes insects in same habitat.
aphid colonies; adults Predacious activity under objects on soil surface Predacious activity
mostly on or hovering at Larvae prey mostly on aphids and scale or in soil samples, larvae in Prey mostly on soil organisms, Other bugs confused with nabid bugs
flowers. soil samples. some feed on seeds.
insects; adults feed on flower feeders;
some species not predacious.
Other beetles confused with carabids
Other insects confused with hoverflies
Assassin bugs
Tenebrionid Some of the thinner
beetles mirid bugs Stilt bugs
Bee flies Bees Wasps 7 9 11
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Parasitoid Tachinid Flies Rove Beetles Predacious
(Diptera: Tachinidae)
1
⁄3 –2⁄3" Eggs on host Stink Bugs
(Coleoptera:
Identification Staphylinidae) (Hemiptera:
Adults similar to
Pentatomidae) Perillus
houseflies, but with very Platyprepia bioculatus
long bristles on tail end; guttata Philonthus sordidus 1
⁄3 –2⁄3"
puparia red to brown and
Identification
oblong; larvae inside host; Adults and nymphs have a broad
eggs white and oblong on Leptacinus batychrus pentagon or shield shape, usually
Insects confused brown or grey rather than green.
host.
Puparia next to hosts 1 1
with rove beetles
Parasitic activity ⁄ 8 – ⁄ 3" Brochymena sp.
Observation tips
Important endoparasitoids of Found on vegetation; may have
many worm, beetle, sawfly, and Identification Predacious activity to observe activity to determine
bug pests; populations can Observation tips Adults small with short wing Adults and nymphs prey on whether the species is
increase rapidly. covers not covering abdomen. Earwigs (adults > 1⁄3”) other insects in same habitat. predacious or herbivorous.
Adults seen on flowers; look for
eggs on host, puparia near host
Similar-looking herbivorous stink bugs
Flies commonly confused with tachinids Predacious activity
Prey mostly on small soil
organisms.
Observation tips Carrion beetles
Adults mostly active at night; look for fast-running
House flies Blow flies Flesh flies adults under objects on soil surface or in soil samples.
8 10 12

3. Minute Pirate Orius tristicolor Assassin Tiger Beetles
Bug Bugs 1⁄3 –1" (Coleoptera:
(Hemiptera: (Hemiptera: Cicindellidae)
Anthocoridae) Reduviidae) Identification
1
⁄3 –2⁄3"
< 1⁄ 8 " Adults shiny with large eyes
Identification Identification Cicindela oregona
and mandibles; very fast
Adults with a black and white Adults and nymphs runners and flyers.
cross pattern; nymphs orange resemble damsel bugs,
to dark red. but larger, with a wider Observation tips
nymph abdomen, thinner neck, Adults usually seen flying
Predacious activity and often with spines. nymph over and running on light
Observation tips and sandy soils.
Adults and nymphs prey on Found on vegetation and flowers; Predacious
other small insects in same activity
habitat.
more easily monitored with nets or
nymph Predacious activity
beating trays due to small size. Adults and nymphs prey Adults and larvae prey on
on many types of insects Observation tips Cicindela longilabris columbiana
Other similar-looking small bugs nymph many types of insects in the
in same habitat. Found on vegetation and flowers. same habitat.
Other bugs confused with assassin bugs Similar beetles
Big-eyed bug Chinch bugs Some plant
nymphs bug nymphs Damsel bugs Ambush bugs Stilt bugs Soft-winged flower beetles Ground beetles
13 15 17
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Big-eyed Bugs nymph Ambush Bugs Soldier Beetles
(Hemiptera: Lygaeidae) (Hemiptera: Phymatidae) (Coleoptera: 1
⁄2 –1"
Cantharidae)
Identification < 3⁄16" 1 2
⁄ 3 – ⁄ 3"
Identification Cantharis sp.
Adults and nymphs with big Geocoris Adults and nymphs are often Identification
eyes; fast-moving and slightly Podabrus sp.
pallens camouflaged like leaves and Adults are long and thin with
larger than minute pirate bugs. Phymata long antennae, often with red
flowers to ambush prey.
metcalfi or orange markings.
Observation tips Observation tips
nymph Observation tips Podabrus cavicollis
Found on vegetation or Found on flowers and
the ground; more easily Found on leaves and
vegetation. nymph flowers.
monitored with nets or
beating trays due to Predacious
speedy flight and small Predacious activity Predacious activity
activity
size. Adults and nymphs prey on other Adults and nymphs prey on other
Adults prey on other
small insects in same habitat. insects in same habitat.
insects in same habitat. Podabrus pruinosus
Other similar-looking small bugs Similar-looking bugs
Similar types of beetles
Some plant bug Minute pirate bugs Assassin bugs Leaf-footed bugs Alydid bugs
Chinch bugs nymphs Soft-winged flower beetles “Fireflies”
14 16 18

4. Thread-waisted Wasps Larger Parasitoid Wasps Parasitized and Diseased
(Hymenoptera: Sphecidae) (Hymenoptera: e.g., Ichneumonidae, Insect Pests
Braconidae) Identification and
Aphid “mummies”
Identification
Stout-bodied to slender, often Identification observation tips
with a very narrow waist and Braconids are < ½", Parasitoid larvae and pupae are
wide head. Ichneumonids are difficult to identify. One of the
Ischnus inquisitorius
usually larger with a best identification methods is to
Observation tips Trypoxylon sp. longer abdomen. Ichneumonid collect hosts that look unusual
Active near open sandy 1 wasps and hold in a container until the
areas and flowers. ⁄4 –2"
Parasitic activity parasitoid develops into an
Predacious activity Kill hosts by parasitism or adult.
by piercing and feeding; pupae
Many species specialize on
various insect prey species. hosts include insect larvae,
Females capture prey and pupae, and aphids.
Apanteles parasitoid
bring back to larvae in nests. larvae on hosts
aristoteliae
Sceliphron caementarium Braconid
wasps
Other insects
confused Observation tips
with thread- Adults found at flowers Individuals with a viral or bacterial
or looking for hosts; infection often are darkened or
waisted
monitor by looking for watery. Individuals with a fungal
wasps Hoverflies Vespid wasps Macrocentrus iridescens
parasitized hosts (p. 23). infection often look fuzzy.
19 21 23
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Vespid Wasps (Yellowjackets, Smaller Parasitoid Wasps Any comments or questions regarding the
Hornets) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) content of this pocket guide are welcomed and
(Hymenoptera: e.g., Chalcididae, can be directed to:
Identification Dolichovespula maculata
Eulophidae, Encyrtidae, Trichogrammatidae, Mario Ambrosino
Medium to large, black with Aphelinidae, Pteromalidae) Integrated Plant Protection Center
yellow or white markings; Identification
wings smoky and folded 2040 Cordley Hall
longitudinally. Mostly <1/ 8" Corvallis, OR 97331
1
⁄2 –11⁄2" Parasitic activity (541) 737-2638
Kill hosts by parasitism; ambrosim@science.oregonstate.edu
Vespula pensylvanica Bald-faced hosts include insect Chalcid wasp Support for this project provided by:
Hornet eggs, larvae, and pupae.
Chrysocharis sp.
Predacious activity
Observation tips
Adults bring masticated insects,
Western yellowjacket meat, and nectar of many types Monitor by looking for
back to larvae in large nests. parasitized hosts (p. 23).
Eulophid wasp
Other insects confused with vespid wasps Aphelinus perpallidus
Microgaster sp. © 2007 Oregon State University. This publication may be photocopied or reprinted
in its entirety for noncommercial purposes. This publication was produced and
distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914.
Extension work is a cooperative program of Oregon State University, the U.S.
Department of Agriculture, and Oregon counties. Oregon State University Extension
Service offers educational programs, activities, and materials without discrimination
based on age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national
Hoverfly Thread-waisted wasps origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran’s status. Oregon State
Pteromalid wasp University Extension Service is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
20 Encrytid wasp 22 Published December 2007. 24