Beneficial Garden Bugs

Carpenter Bee 
While sometimes regarded as pests, the Carpenter bee is actually an important pollinator. There are over 500 species of Carpenter Bee. Males cannot sting and females are too gentle to sting unless provoked.

Tachnid Fly 
The Tachinid Fly helps to control tomato hornworms. They do this by laying eggs in insects. Their larvae eat the infected host and kills it. Tachinid flies also control cabbage lopers, potato beetles and corn borers.

Laydybug Larvae 
Like Ladybugs, Ladybug larvae vary in coloration. They can be black and red or black and yellow. If you see these little guys in your garden, be happy! They are working hard to keep your garden aphid free.

Many Beneficial Garden Bugs 

Of all the beneficial garden bugs, ladybugs are the most well-known. There are, in fact, many more that will help keep your garden healthy and pest-free. 
You might be surprised at what bugs are actually helpful! Enjoy this small sampling of the many beneficial insects in your garden. 
These first four images are courtesy of Allison Mia Starcher, author of Good Bugs for Your Garden.