DO NOT Kill These Beneficial Insects Found in Oklahoma

With warm spring weather in Oklahoma comes the increase in pests! But not all insects are pests and can be beneficial, especially for your garden.

When warmer weather comes around, Oklahomans love to be outside. But certain pests can make being outdoors unbearable, like mosquitoes. And some insects like to come inside our homes as the weather gets hotter, and they're not usually welcomed guests.

But not all insects are pests! There are some insects that are beneficial to you and your garden.

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In a study by the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service on beneficial insects, "most insects found in yards, gardens or crops do not feed on or harm plants. Many are just 'passing through' or have very innocuous habits. Others feed on and destroy pest species. In many cases, the activities of these beneficial species can prevent or greatly limit pest problems."

These beneficial insects can "broadly" be categorized as either predators or parasites. The predators are typically larger than their prey, and "parasitic insects develop in or on a single host from eggs or larvae deposited by the adult parasitoid."

Can spraying for bugs harm these beneficial insects?

Beneficial insects can be harmed by "unwise pesticide use." According to the study from the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, "most insecticides are relatively broad spectrum, killing beneficials as well as target pests."

But there are a few pesticides that are not harmful to beneficial insects! The study mentions that "Bacillus thuringiensis (DIPEL)" is not toxic to beneficial insects. But the use of "systemic insecticide," which penetrates the plant and reduces contact toxicity, can ooze through nectaries and flowers, which impacts both natural enemies and pollinators.

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In conclusion, the study states that "sprays should only be used when necessary as determined by close examination of plants or through past experience. Minimizing insecticide exposure can greatly improve the chances of beneficials providing control of the target pest."

Check out the list of beneficial insects found in Oklahoma!