Five deadly assassins
We investigate a few of nature's most deadly hitmen.
Ladybird
LATIN NAME: Coccinellidae
WHERE IT OPERATES: Globally, with over 5000 species described. Some are in themselves classed as pests.
TARGET: Aphids (greenfly and blackfly), which are among the most destructive pests in temperate climates.
Hoverfly
LATIN NAME: Syrphidae
WHERE IT OPERATES: Globally, apart from deserts and Arctic tundra.
TARGET: Aphids and leafhoppers. The latter is a major pest to ornamental plants and flowers.
Rust fungus
LATIN NAME: Maravalia cryptostegiae
WHERE IT OPERATES: Australia, where it is used successfully as a biocontrol agent.
TARGET: The rubber vine weed, which is capable of smothering trees up to 40m high and destroying habitats for wildlife.
Lacewing
LATIN NAME: Chrysoperla
WHERE IT OPERATES:North America and Europe.
TARGET: Several species of aphids, spider mites, thrips, whiteflies, eggs of leafhoppers, moths, leafminers, small caterpillars, beetle larvae, tobacco budworm and long-tailed mealybug.
[Latin name only]
LATIN NAME: Beauveria bassiana
WHERE IT OPERATES: Globally.
TARGET: Termites, whitefly, beetles. This fungus, which occurs naturally in soils, covers the bugs in a white mould that kills them within days.
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