They are generalist predators feeding on a wide range of soft-bodied prey in garden and fields such as mosquitoes, flies, earthworms, cucumber beetles, and caterpillars (fall armyworm, rootworm, etc.).
Adult female milkweed assassin bug, Zelus longipes Linnaeus, on a sweet corn tassel
A mass of first instar nymphs of the milkweed assassin bug, Zelus longipes Linnaeus, hatching out of eggs laid on a sweet corn leaf
The wheel bug, Arilus cristatus (Linnaeus), is a moderately common, widely distributed, beneficial assassin bug that preys on pest insects. However, its bite can be more severe than a bee sting, and both nymphs and adults should be avoided or handled with caution.
Adult wheel bugs, mating
Adult wheel bug, Arilus cristatus (Linnaeus), feeding on a puss caterpillar,
Green Lace Wing’s larva eat soft-bodied garden pests, including caterpillars and aphids.“Ground beetles” is the name of a large group of predatory beetles that are beneficial as both adults and larvae. They will eat a wide range of insects, including nematodes, caterpillars, thrips, weevils, slugs, and silverfish.Soldier beetles are an important predator of Mexican bean beetles, Colorado potato beetles, caterpillars, and aphids.Assassin bugs look like a strange mix between a praying mantis and a squash bug. They use their sharp mouthparts to prey upon many different types of insect pests in the garden.ROBBER FLIES – With their extra-long legs, robber flies are bug-eating machines Hoverfly looks like a tiny yellow jacket without a stinger. They feed on pollen and nectar and are extremely important pollinators. Their larvae are voracious predators, killing aphids, caterpillars, beetles, and thrips by sucking the juice from their victims.Parasitic wasp eggs on a hornworm. Parasitic wasps are very tiny
