Five deadly assassins

We investigate a few of nature's most deadly hitmen.

Published: April 10, 2010 at 1:00 pm

1

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.

2

Hoverfly

LATIN NAME: SyrphidaeWHERE IT OPERATES:Globally, apart from deserts and Arctic tundra.

TARGET: Aphids and leafhoppers. The latter is a major pest to ornamental plants and flowers.

3

Rust fungus

Coffee leaf with rust fungus © Getty Images
Coffee leaf with rust fungus © Getty Images

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.

4

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.

5

[Latin name only]

Grasshoppers killed by B. bassiana © Wikimedia Commons
Grasshoppers killed by B. bassiana © Wikimedia Commons

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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