Other “natural enemies” such as assassin bugs, minute pirate bugs, lacewings, predatory wasps, spiders, and predaceous ground beetles attack and kill pests. In some cases, both the adults and larvae are predators. It's important to recognize the different life stages of these beneficial predators so you know they are helping control pests and not attacking your plants.
Protect beneficials and attract more of them to your garden by avoiding using certain pesticides that can kill them, and choosing plants that provide pollen, nectar and shelter. You'll also want to keep ants out of pest-infested plants—ants protect their food source (honeydew from some pests) and will fight off beneficials.
You can see more photos of beneficial predators in the UC IPM Natural Enemies Gallery and on the Beneficial Predators Quick Tip.
