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Creeping as quietly as a ninja, striking faster than a rattlesnake, they are part of the drama that goes on in every garden. They go about their business silently, and mostly unseen. These creatures are a necessary part of a well functioning eco-system. Even though they may not be loved by the squeamish, predator insects provide balance wherever plants grow. Some will be familiar, and others will surprise you.
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 Most of them look like the creatures from bad ‘50's horror flicks. People recoil instinctively when encountering them. Gardeners run for the bug spray, or a weapon, and ask questions later. Like the spider, who gladly consumes whatever tumbles into its web, the majority of these predators will make a meal on most of the insects that they can catch. Others are pest specific, and will predominantly hunt insects of a certain type.
One of the most familiar garden predators is the Praying Mantis. The Order which Mantids are found is Dictyoptera, the Family is Mantidae. Its long, stick-like body and front legs held in the recognizable "praying" position make it easily identifiable. The green and brown coloring make it blend right in with the foliage in the garden. It sits near high traffic insect areas and waits. A Praying Mantis can sit so still for a great length of time that its easy to overlook one. This is exactly what the Mantid is counting on. When an unlucky insect lands a little too close, the Mantid will simply leap on it, grabbing it in those powerful front legs, and the helpless bug rarely escapes. Praying Mantids are found throughout the world, from the rainforests of the equator, to arctic tundra. Generally speaking, there are far more living in the warmer climates than the colder ones, but the Praying Mantis is adaptable, and manages to survive world-wide. The Praying Mantis has excellent eyesight, and is capable of turning it's head without moving its body, much as a warm-blooded mammal will do. This only adds to the "creepiness factor" and helps put it at the top of the list for the villain in bad Sci-fi flicks. The Praying Mantis is not poisonous, and quite docile to handle. Some cultures even keep them as pets. The diet of the Praying Mantis consists of files, moths, caterpillars and crawling insects. Large Praying Mantids have also been known to capture the occasional hummingbird, but this is extremely rare. Generally, they are predators of many of the more undesirable residents in one's garden, and tend to help us rid our plantings of juice sucking plant bugs such as Japanese Beetles. The egg cases of Praying Mantids are available for purchase through many garden supply sources, and a great number of gardeners will overlook the occasional butterfly one may catch, for the overall good that the ultimately do. 
 The Wheel Bug, Arilus cristatus, is another insect with a high "creepiness factor." It looks like something from the Jurassic Era that suddenly woke up and decided to take residence in the modern garden. The large "wheel" on it's back makes it quite identifiable, and the spines certainly give it a formidable look. If the prehistoric appearance isn't enough for a reason to shy away, the odor it produces when distressed will probably convince any remaining skeptics. It is of the Order Hemiptera, or True Bugs, and the Family Reduviidae.
Sometimes confused with its cousin the Leaf-footed Bug, the Wheel Bug is different because it uses its sucking mouthparts to drain the juices from another insect instead of plants. They will eat flies, aphids, caterpillars, and yes, stink bugs. Wheel Bugs are not aggressive, and move slowly, but those "fangs" that it sports are capable of a nasty bite. The result is extremely painful, and can remain so for several weeks. It's best to leave them be, and let them go about their business. While they can fly, they do so awkwardly, so most often one will see them stalking quietly among the plants.
 Dragonflies are a beneficial garden predator. They are of the Order Odonata, and they are often called Mosquito Hawks, because of their fondness for those insects. A good population of dragonflies can consume as many mosquitoes as a colony of Purple Martins. They generally favor areas that have standing water, or are somewhat damp, because of their favorite food, but will venture into flower gardens on occasion also. There are many different species of Dragonflies, too many to list in this small article. They can range in size from tiny little guys with thread-like bodies, to huge insects with a wingspan of several inches. They are quite colorful, and many sparkle with iridescent day-glo hues that are quite jewel-like. They are found world-wide wherever a supply of fresh water is available. Dragonflies are capable of flying in a manner that is more like a hummingbird than an insect. They fly forward, backward, and can hover in one spot with ease. Capable of instant acceleration, they dart and swoop through the garden like tiny fighter jets. The catch their prey on the wing, and while they prefer mosquitoes, they will stalk other insects as well. Butterfly gardeners might be dismayed if a large dragonfly takes up residence among their flower beds, but this is simply a natural action for the hunter. The loss of a few butterflies is sad to think about, but a Dragonfly does so much good by eliminating pest insects, it's best to let them stay.  Robber Flies are another insect with similar hunting habits as the Dragonfly. Of the Order Diptera, and the Family Asilidae, they are tough and quick little guys that hide among the garden plants waiting for unfortunate victims. They can catch their prey in flight, or wait nearby for the right moment to make a short zip to the unwary insect. They are similar to the Praying Mantis in that they can turn their head and look about the area searching for a suitable meal. Generally a shy insect, they go about their business un-noticed most of the time. Their favorite habitats are sunny areas with generous plant life. With their stealthy actions and quick departure from the scene, the name Robber Fly fits well. They are found throughout the world, and have adapted to many different climates. Also known as a Hanging Thief or Bee Killer, Robber Flies will tackle bees, spiders, grasshoppers, butterflies and wasps much larger than themselves. The species Dogmites generally eats its prey while hanging from one leg, thus the name Hanging Thief. Many predator insects inhabit gardens world-wide. It's just a natural fact that should be accepted, and encouraged. They bring balance and order into the chain of life, and without them, insect populations would soon become out of control. A healthy garden should also have a healthy population of predator insects. It's difficult to see a pretty butterfly or a honeybee being used as a meal, but the predator does so much good, that the occasional sacrifice of a desirable insect must be expected. A garden with several species of predators is a well functioning unit that sustains itself, so that little intervention by the gardener is needed. Please be aware of your ninja visitors, and welcome them to your flowers. They are serving a necessary purpose.
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I come from a long line of Kentuckians who love the Good Earth. I love to learn about every living thing, and love to share what I've learned. Photography is one of my passions, and all of the images in my articles are my own.
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Subject: appreciation for your articles
Posted by Fairywinkle (from Lodi, WI) on April 15, 2008 at 8:58 AM:Very helpful. You write so clear and succinctly. Hope to hear more from you…tell us about the stinky Asian beetles and how they are different and alike to the helpful lady bugs… ...
Subject: Thanks for article
Posted by CompostR (from south central, PA) on April 15, 2008 at 8:16 AM:Appreciate the information and great photos, melody!
We have seen Wheel Bugs on our beans with their snouts stuck in hapless bean beetle larvae - now that's creepy, but it's a good thing. ...
Subject: Predatory in the garden
Posted by Superlec (from Loughman, FL) on April 15, 2008 at 12:13 AM:A parallel to the dragon fly is the damsel fly. The apparent difference is the wings at rest. The damsel fly carries them butterfly-like, but otherwise resembles a small dragon fly.
Another is the lady bug, or lady bird beetle. Early in the spring they can give you a nasty little nip! ...
Subject: Praying Mantis
Posted by EstelleMirage (from Ste-Victoire
(Canada)) on April 14, 2008 at 9:35 PM:Praying Mantis love to hide among my rows of ground cherries. I do not know if they eat the doryphores eating these plants. ...
Subject: Preying mantis
Posted by pbyrley (from Wake Forest, NC) on April 14, 2008 at 4:47 PM:I really enjoy photographing preying mantis because they are so willing to be still and pose for me. I named this photo "Grandpa's Pet Mantis" when I sent it to my granddaughter who loves bugs.
Melody, thank you for this excellent and informative article. I had never heard of several of your subjects but I will look for them now.
Paul ... Posted by melody (from Benton, KY) on April 14, 2008 at 4:54 PM: I enjoy photographing insects too. All of the photography, in all of the articles that I write, is my own.
Glad you enjoyed it! ... Posted by indigobunting (from Nashville, TN) on April 16, 2008 at 10:00 PM: We love watching and learning about insects... I have 6 and 4 year old boys.
Last year I ordered a couple praying mantis eggs and they never hatched.
A friend of mine said she kept hers inside and misted them with water and they
hatched on her back porch in her warm weather. I perched mine in a screened
bug house during June in Tennessee and waited and waited..nothing.
I actually got them for my sons birthday and he said he wants a refund gift
this year because they never hatched.
Any advice? ...
Subject: Bravo. Any plans for a follow-up?
Posted by PuddlePirate (from North Ridgeville, OH) on April 14, 2008 at 2:47 PM:I'll bet a lot of folks here would be interested in green lacewings, ladybugs, predatory nematodes, and such. ... Posted by melody (from Benton, KY) on April 14, 2008 at 3:01 PM: This is actually the third in a series spotlighting predator insects. I'll be doing more as the year goes on. thanks for the compliments.
here are the links to the first two.
[HYPERLINK@davesgarden.com]
[HYPERLINK@davesgarden.com] ... Posted by PuddlePirate (from North Ridgeville, OH) on April 14, 2008 at 5:01 PM: Thanks! ...
Subject: Great Article
Posted by tcs1366 (from Itasca, IL) on April 14, 2008 at 2:36 PM:Very interesting!! and I LOVE sitting and watching the Praying Mantis sit and wait for their pray. I usually get a lot of them every year. Never knew dragon flies were also predators.
ya just gotta love those good bugs. ... Posted by McGlory (from Southeast, NE) on April 14, 2008 at 10:27 PM: Thanks for a great article, melody! I'm a little freaked by bug close-up photos, but I dared look and not sorry I did. I've never heard of a Wheel Bug before. Learn something new here in the articles all the time. Very well done! ...
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