ELM: Integrated Pest Management & Beneficial Insects...
Many insects play a beneficial role for plants in the landscape. Honey bees and other pollinators are involved in the reproductive growth phase of plants and flowers. We are extremely dependent on this group of insects for the development of fruits and seeds. There are also a number of insect predators that can attack harmful pests in the landscape. Most gardeners prize ladybugs and the occasional preying mantis for their ability to devour pesty critters. However, there are also a number of parasitic wasps, as well as nematodes, that have beneficial attributes. Protecting these natural pest enemies is an important part of maintaining an "environmentally friendly" ELM landscape.