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Pollinators and Beneficial Insects

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Updated: April 2, 2024

Insects: Our Most Under-Appreciated Neighbors

Are insects bugging you? Very few (less than 1% of species) are pests. Most insects provide vital benefits to people and the environment. Before reaching for pesticides to kill insects around your home, learn about them and what they do-- we're here to help!
a green beetle with six white spots is resting on a human hand - this is a non-harmful insect
Updated: February 14, 2024

Outdoor Insects in the Home Landscape

Most of the insects in the home landscape are beneficial. Learn to identify them and attract them to the garden. Learn to identify and manage other insects that may cause problems.
a bee at blue false indigo flowers
Updated: March 1, 2023

Pollination Basics

What is pollination and how does it work? Pollination is the process by which plants reproduce and create seeds. Some plants are pollinated by wind and others by animals (pollinators) that move pollen from one plant to another.
sweat bee on a flower
Updated: April 2, 2024

Pollinators and Pesticides

The Pollinator Protection Act prohibits the use of neonicotinoid pesticides outdoors by home by gardeners.
bumble bee on a flower
Updated: March 26, 2024

Linthicum Walks

Linthicum Walks is a historic home and farm complex in the Gambrills/Crofton area of Anne Arundel County. An on-site demonstration pollinator garden was planted with over 25 different native plants. The goal of the garden is to demonstrate sustainable gardening practices, the importance of pollinators, and the ecological importance of native plants.
Linthicum Walks Native Plant Garden
Updated: September 15, 2023

Flower Fly

Flower flies are a natural predator of aphids. Flower flies are mainly nonselective pollinators, feeding on nectar and pollen from a variety of plants and agriculturally important crops.
adult flower fly sitting on a white flower
Updated: August 16, 2023

Parasitoids

Parasitoids are small insects whose immature stages develop either within or attached to the outside of other insects, referred to as hosts.
braconid wasp
Updated: August 16, 2023

Predatory Bugs

Predatory bugs are in the insect order Hymenoptera and use piercing-sucking mouthparts to kill their prey.
wheel bug
Updated: July 20, 2023

Lacewings

Lacewings are delicate green or brown insects, excellent predators of aphids and other small insects.
green lacewing insect resting on a leaf
Updated: July 20, 2023

Tachinid Fly

Tachinid flies are among the many beneficial flies that prey on garden pests.
tachinid fly on white flowers