Repost from qa-nature

Nature in a Garden

There are an abundance of fantastic and fascinating creatures that lurk within a back garden. Some are extremely beneficial for plants and flowers, and some can cause havoc on the beauty of nature. As a gardener, it's essential that you are able to recognise what insects are good and which are potentially bad for the mini ecosystem contained within your garden.

The Good

There are a whole host of good insects out there who will help to remove most damaging pests within a garden. The humble ladybird is a well-known and commonly found beneficial insect, which also happens to be the top predator for aphids, mites, and the larvae of garden pests. Lacewings are another brilliant example of a positive little helper from nature, and they do a wonderful job at deterring pests.

Although bees don't contribute to controlling pests, they do a wonderful job at pollinating plants. The wasp on the other hand is rather proactive in pest control. Some lesser-known creatures such as the rove beetle, ground beetle, and hover-fly love to prey on a variety of garden pests, and can affectively tackle the larvae and adult stages of aphids and mites.

The Bad

There are a number of common insects that do nothing but wreck havoc on a beautiful garden area if left unattended. Aphids are possibly the most common pest within a garden, and it's not surprising considering that there are over 500 species in the UK alone. Other creatures to watch out for are spider mites, caterpillars, slugs and snails. The vast majority of these critters love to consume the leaves, stems, flowers, sap, and roots of a plant. Leaving a trail of destruction in its wake, which potentially causes serious damage or even killing the plant.

Positive Impact

There are a variety of methods that can be used to protect and control pests with a garden. Find a way to try and encourage the beneficial insects into your garden, whilst deterring or eliminating any that causes destruction. Being able to identify the characteristics of insects and understanding the good and bad points they can provide are essential in impacting the productivity and aesthetic appearance of a garden.
Reposted From http://Qa-Nature.com