Deadly insects

NAME: Ladybird

LATIN NAME: Coccinellidae
WHERE IT OPERATES: Globally, with over 5000 species described. Some are in themselves classed as pests.
TARGET: Aphids (greenfly and blackfly), which are among the most destructive pests in temperate climates.
 

NAME: Hoverfly

LATIN NAME: Syrphidae
WHERE IT OPERATES: Globally, apart from deserts and Arctic tundra.
TARGET: Aphids and leafhoppers. The latter is a major pest to ornamental plants and flowers.

NAME: Rust fungus

LATIN NAME: Maravalia cryptostegiae
WHERE IT OPERATES: Australia, where it is used successfully as a biocontrol agent.
TARGET: The rubber vine weed, which is capable of smothering trees up to 40m high and destroying habitats for wildlife.
 

NAME: Lacewing

LATIN NAME:  Chrysoperla
WHERE IT OPERATES:North America and Europe.
TARGET:  Several species of aphids, spider mites, thrips, whiteflies, eggs of leafhoppers, moths, leafminers, small caterpillars, beetle larvae, tobacco budworm and long-tailed mealybug.
 

NAME: [Latin name only]

LATIN NAME: Beauveria bassiana
WHERE IT OPERATES: Globally.
TARGET: Termites, whitefly, beetles. This fungus, which occurs naturally in soils, covers the bugs in a white mould that kills them within days.
 

YOU CAN READ THE FULL FEATURE ON NATURE'S ASSASSINS, INCLUDING SENDING INSECTS INTO BATTLE, GM BUGS AND BAD BIOCONTROL IN THE MAY EDITION OF FOCUS MAGAZINE

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