Top 20 Beneficial Insects Used in UK Commercial Horticulture
Top 20 Beneficials at a Glance
| Beneficial | Main Targets | Best Used In |
|---|---|---|
| Aphidius spp. | Aphids | Protected crops |
| Aphelinus abdominalis | Large aphids | Soft fruit, ornamentals |
| Encarsia formosa | Whitefly | Tomatoes, cucumbers |
| Eretmocerus eremicus | Whitefly | Warm protected crops |
| Diglyphus isaea | Leaf miners | Ornamentals, vegetables |
| Orius laevigatus | Thrips | Peppers, strawberries |
| Anthocoris nemoralis | Pear sucker, aphids | Outdoor fruit |
| Macrolophus pygmaeus | Whitefly, aphids | Tomatoes |
| Adalia bipunctata | Aphids | Outdoor crops |
| Chrysoperla carnea | Aphids, whitefly | Ornamentals |
| Aphidoletes aphidimyza | Aphids | Glasshouse crops |
| Amblyseius swirskii | Thrips, whitefly | Cucumbers, peppers |
| Amblyseius cucumeris | Thrips | Ornamentals, soft fruit |
| Phytoseiulus persimilis | Spider mites | Strawberries, cucumbers |
| Neoseiulus californicus | Spider mites | Soft fruit, ornamentals |
| Stratiolaelaps scimitus | Sciarids, thrips pupae | Propagation |
| Dalotia coriaria | Sciarids, shore fly | Protected crops |
| Steinernema feltiae | Sciarids, leaf miners | Protected crops |
| Heterorhabditis bacteriophora | Vine weevil larvae | Nursery stock |
| Bumblebees | Pollination | Strawberries, tomatoes, blueberries |
Biological control has become a cornerstone of modern Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Beneficial insects, mites and nematodes help growers reduce pesticide use, manage resistance and create more sustainable crop protection programmes.
This guide introduces twenty of the most important beneficial organisms used in UK commercial horticulture, including glasshouse crops, soft fruit, ornamentals, herbs and protected edible crops.
1. Aphidius parasitoid wasps
Aphidius are parasitoid wasps that attack aphids. Female wasps lay eggs inside aphids, eventually turning them into characteristic bronze "mummies".
Targets:
- Aphids
- Green peach aphid
- Potato aphid
- Glasshouse potato aphid
Best suited for:
- Ornamentals
- Strawberries
- Herbs
- Protected vegetables
2. Aphelinus abdominalis
Aphelinus is a parasitoid wasp particularly effective against larger aphid species.
Targets:
- Potato aphid
- Foxglove aphid
- Large aphid species
Best suited for:
- Soft fruit
- Ornamentals
- Protected crops
3. Encarsia formosa
Encarsia is one of the most widely used whitefly parasitoids in commercial horticulture.
Targets:
- Glasshouse whitefly
Best suited for:
- Tomatoes
- Cucumbers
- Ornamentals
4. Eretmocerus eremicus
Eretmocerus complements Encarsia and performs particularly well under warmer conditions.
Targets:
- Whitefly
Best suited for:
- Warm-season crops
- Ornamentals
- Protected vegetables
5. Diglyphus isaea
A highly specialised parasitoid that attacks leaf miner larvae.
Targets:
- Leaf miners
Best suited for:
- Ornamentals
- Herbs
- Vegetables
6. Orius laevigatus
Often called the pirate bug, Orius is one of the most important predators for thrips control.
Targets:
- Thrips
- Aphids
- Whitefly eggs
- Mite eggs
Best suited for:
- Strawberries
- Peppers
- Ornamentals
7. Anthocoris nemoralis
Anthocoris is a powerful generalist predator widely used in outdoor fruit production.
Targets:
- Pear sucker
- Aphids
- Mites
- Caterpillar eggs
Best suited for:
- Pears
- Apples
- Outdoor fruit crops
8. Macrolophus pygmaeus
A predatory mirid bug capable of controlling several important pests.
Targets:
- Whitefly
- Aphids
- Moths
- Mite eggs
Best suited for:
- Tomatoes
- Protected crops
9. Adalia bipunctata
The two-spot ladybird is one of the best-known aphid predators.
Targets:
- Aphids
Best suited for:
- Ornamentals
- Gardens
- Soft fruit
10. Chrysoperla carnea
Green lacewing larvae are voracious predators of soft-bodied pests.
Targets:
- Aphids
- Mealybugs
- Whitefly
- Thrips
Best suited for:
- Ornamentals
- Herbs
- Protected crops
11. Aphidoletes aphidimyza
A predatory gall midge whose larvae specialise in feeding on aphids.
Targets:
- Aphids
Best suited for:
- Glasshouse crops
- Ornamentals
- Soft fruit
12. Amblyseius swirskii
One of the most widely used predatory mites in modern horticulture.
Targets:
- Thrips
- Whitefly
- Broad mite
Best suited for:
- Peppers
- Cucumbers
- Ornamentals
- Strawberries
13. Amblyseius cucumeris
An established predatory mite used primarily against thrips.
Targets:
- Thrips larvae
Best suited for:
- Ornamentals
- Soft fruit
- Protected crops
14. Phytoseiulus persimilis
The specialist predator for two-spotted spider mite.
Targets:
- Spider mites
Best suited for:
- Cucumbers
- Strawberries
- Ornamentals
15. Neoseiulus californicus
A more tolerant spider mite predator that performs well under challenging conditions.
Targets:
- Spider mites
Best suited for:
- Soft fruit
- Ornamentals
- Protected crops
16. Stratiolaelaps scimitus
A soil-dwelling predatory mite used against several root-zone pests.
Targets:
- Sciarid fly larvae
- Shore fly larvae
- Thrips pupae
Best suited for:
- Propagation
- Container crops
- Protected crops
17. Dalotia coriaria (Atheta coriaria)
Formerly known as Atheta coriaria, this rove beetle is a valuable soil predator.
Targets:
- Sciarid fly larvae
- Shore fly larvae
- Thrips pupae
Best suited for:
- Propagation
- Herbs
- Ornamentals
18. Steinernema feltiae
A beneficial nematode used for biological control of several soil-dwelling pests.
Targets:
- Sciarid flies
- Thrips pupae
- Leaf miner larvae
Best suited for:
- Protected crops
- Ornamentals
- Herbs
19. Heterorhabditis bacteriophora
A beneficial nematode primarily used against beetle larvae.
Targets:
- Vine weevil larvae
- Beetle larvae
Best suited for:
- Nursery stock
- Ornamentals
- Soft fruit
20. Bumblebees for Crop Pollination
Although not predators, bumblebees are among the most important beneficial insects in commercial horticulture.
Benefits:
- Pollination
- Improved fruit set
- Improved fruit quality
- Increased yield
Best suited for:
- Strawberries
- Tomatoes
- Blueberries
- Soft fruit crops
Why Beneficial Insects Matter
Biological control is most effective when used as part of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programme. Monitoring, crop hygiene, environmental management and biodiversity all contribute to successful establishment and long-term pest suppression.
Many beneficial species work best when introduced preventatively before pest populations become established. Understanding the strengths and limitations of each predator or parasitoid is key to building a successful biological control programme.