Glossary

predatory insects

Insects that hunt, kill, and consume other insects or arthropods as their primary food source. Unlike parasites or pollinators, predatory insects actively feed on prey—often helping to control pest populations and maintain balance in native ecosystems.

Common native predatory insects include:

  • Lady beetles (ladybugs) – feed on aphids and soft-bodied insects
  • Lacewing larvae – consume aphids, mites, and caterpillars
  • Assassin bugs and ambush bugs – pierce and feed on a variety of insect prey
  • Ground beetles – active hunters of larvae, snails, and other soil-dwelling insects
  • Hoverfly larvae – voracious predators of aphids and scale insects

Predatory insects play a vital role in the food web, helping to suppress outbreaks of herbivorous pests and serving as prey for birds, reptiles, and amphibians.

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